Responses to Singleton

This article is on point. Daring to Be Great – Fundamental Soccer

In an era of the obscene price of youth soccer, parents wanting their kids not to have to suffer setbacks and get a return on their investment, along with winning being the only priority for some coaches, we are stripping players of the fun, creativity, and the beautiful game provides. This article is on point.

Kristopher  Miller

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I am a huge proponent of cultivating the love of the sport, as it was for me and as it has been for my children. I worry the next generation will be void of coaches and referees because kids don’t want to be involved after lackluster experiences.

As an educator, I see many opportunities to teach within and from the game. I find so much joy in coaching. I coach for the kids and the “ah ha” moments. I believe making the coaching courses more expensive and longer is a huge mistake. If you want good coaches, you must lure them with affordable opportunities; most are not full-time.

Finally, I believe the exorbitant price of the game is why the US has struggled to compete on the world stage.

We are pricing kids out, and some of the best players are in our lower-income neighborhoods. What is US Soccer doing to get those kids playing? Grassroots clubs like mine are doing all we can to encourage kids to play, but there should be more effort and money spent to support them. They should take a page out of the NFL Play 60 playbook.

Ok, off my soap box .

Nancy Sibley