In the latest Weekly Wright Report:

Put Me In, Coach! I’m Ready to [Pay]

By Louis J. Kozlakowski and Edward L. Healy

It happens every spring. No, we are not referring to baseball spring training, but youth club soccer tryouts.

If your child is the best in their recreational league, better than the rest of their soccer team, or they are passionate about the game, then you may want to consider club soccer. Before trying out, remember that soccer clubs practice 2-3 times a week and have tournaments/league games almost every fall and spring weekend. Tournaments are usually a two-day event with games on Saturday and Sunday. So, it’s a time commitment for both the child and parent.

While many play club soccer with visions of college scholarships or playing professionally, only 6% of high school soccer players play in college, and only 2% of college soccer players play professionally. Estimated probability of competing in college athletics – NCAA.org

Soccer clubs publicize their tryouts on their websites and on Facebook. Depending on the prestige of the soccer club, there could be a number of kids trying out. In fact, many soccer clubs make returning players try out for the team each year. If your child does make the cut, you will be required to sign a Parent/Player Agreement obligating you to pay the fee for the entire soccer year, which runs from August to July. Soccer fees can range from $1,000 to $3,000+ per year, not including uniforms ($), tournament fees ($) and travel/lodging costs for out- of -state tournaments ($$-$$$).

Even though the Agreement deals with youth sports, you are obligated to pay the full soccer fee if your child decides that club soccer is not for them. The fact that another player may take your child’s place does not relieve you of the payment obligation either. In that regard, the Agreement is similar to enrolling your child in private school where you are responsible for the full tuition even if your child leaves school midterm. See Barre School v. Patch, 401 Md. 497 (2007). An exception would be if the club (or school) breached its obligations to your child, which, while available as a defense, may be hard to prove when dealing with youth sports. Otherwise, it is solely within the discretion of the soccer club whether to release you from your financial obligation. The satisfactory resolution of your financial obligation is important as your child will not be able to play for another soccer club until released by the old club.

The Agreement further obligates your child to attend all team practices, league games, and tournaments (in-state and out- of- state). Failure to attend or not providing advanced notice of a justifiable excuse could result in your child being relegated to a lower skill bracket. Relegation, without more, would not be a breach of contract by the club. No soccer club parent wants their child relegated to a lower skill bracket.

So, remember, playing club soccer obligates you to pay for the full soccer year even though your child (or you) decides they no longer want to commit the time and effort required to play club soccer. If you have any questions, please contact Louis J. Kozlakowski at 410-659-1314/lkozlakowski@wcslaw.com  or Edward Healy at 410-659-1333/ehealy@wcslaw.com.