Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Do your kids play travel sports? How is it?

GGG · 06-23-2024, 09:21 AM

One kid played high level sports until 15 then dropped down a tier, the other plays rec level).

The biggest value in youth sports is the second friend group. There can be stuff happening with your school group and you have a place where that doesn’t matter. Economically you would be better off putting the money in an RESP and you would have a better scholarship fund then you could ever have paying for sports.

So in an ideal world my kids would play the lowest level possible with the least summer time commitments and it has been a nice change dropping from the top level to one level down. Better parents, slightly less competitive coaches, less travel but still have some.

But I don’t think you as a parent should be picking what tier they play in. Playing at a higher level is more time and more stress some kids will strive on that others will be overwhelmed. Playing at a lower level your kid might get board. Some may want 5 days a week of training and limited off seasons others might like 2 or 3. So really it depends on your child and if they keep enjoying it. They should guide the level they are in.

My one child who played tier 1 that dropped down went from loving it to hating it in about half a season. Some coaching and player changes on the team, poor management of issues by the club and a few jackass parents really changed her enjoyment. The day she decided to switch clubs and play a lower level she started enjoying it again. Some of it was real issues and some was in her head. So I think listening and ensuring your kid knows that if they no longer like the commitment they can change after the season.

It does kill vacation time, whatever break your season has is now when your vacation is. Weekend trips disappear and become weekend trips to tournaments so you as a parent need to be willing to live with it. It’s also a money pit.

Injuries are real and the higher the level the more injuries. We had one concussion plus a continuous string of minor ankles, fingers, wrist sprains. Find a physio therapist who knows your sport, get preventative strengthening exercises before the first injury. Communication about what hurt you should play with and what hurt you should come out on is also important.

So definitely has been worth doing but with high level teams you need to watch how your kid is doing physically and mentally.

06-23-2024, 09:21 AM	#7
GGG Franchise Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: California Exp:	One kid played high level sports until 15 then dropped down a tier, the other plays rec level). The biggest value in youth sports is the second friend group. There can be stuff happening with your school group and you have a place where that doesn’t matter. Economically you would be better off putting the money in an RESP and you would have a better scholarship fund then you could ever have paying for sports. So in an ideal world my kids would play the lowest level possible with the least summer time commitments and it has been a nice change dropping from the top level to one level down. Better parents, slightly less competitive coaches, less travel but still have some. But I don’t think you as a parent should be picking what tier they play in. Playing at a higher level is more time and more stress some kids will strive on that others will be overwhelmed. Playing at a lower level your kid might get board. Some may want 5 days a week of training and limited off seasons others might like 2 or 3. So really it depends on your child and if they keep enjoying it. They should guide the level they are in. My one child who played tier 1 that dropped down went from loving it to hating it in about half a season. Some coaching and player changes on the team, poor management of issues by the club and a few jackass parents really changed her enjoyment. The day she decided to switch clubs and play a lower level she started enjoying it again. Some of it was real issues and some was in her head. So I think listening and ensuring your kid knows that if they no longer like the commitment they can change after the season. It does kill vacation time, whatever break your season has is now when your vacation is. Weekend trips disappear and become weekend trips to tournaments so you as a parent need to be willing to live with it. It’s also a money pit. Injuries are real and the higher the level the more injuries. We had one concussion plus a continuous string of minor ankles, fingers, wrist sprains. Find a physio therapist who knows your sport, get preventative strengthening exercises before the first injury. Communication about what hurt you should play with and what hurt you should come out on is also important. So definitely has been worth doing but with high level teams you need to watch how your kid is doing physically and mentally.