The High Cost of Athletic Success: A Call for Change
Remember the 2008 financial crisis? It wasn't just banks and stocks that felt the impact - the sports industry did, too. Most public sport systems had to be canceled, moving the industry to turn towards a more private and, unfortunately, pricier system.
Nowadays, signing your child up for sports often means dealing with rising costs. These aren't just monetary hurdles; they can mean less opportunities, deferred dreams, and added stress for parents and young athletes.
According to John Engh from the National Alliance for Youth Sports, affordable community sports programs have largely been replaced with costly, pay-to-play ones since the 2008 financial crisis.
This shift isn't just about higher costs; it risks excluding children who can't afford these programs, adding to socio-economic divides and undermining the inclusiveness of sports. It's clear that the joy of sports should be for everyone, not just those who can afford it.
Athletes who are striving to reach an elite level, often work with these types of coaches & trainers:
- Strength Trainers who improve performance (avg. cost = $500/month)
- Personal Coaches who develop sport-specific skills (avg. cost = $500/month)
- Recruiting Coaches who guide through the recruiting process (avg. cost = $150-$300/month)
As you can see, it can quickly become financially prohibitive for athletes to excel.
Take the story of Raynelle Dorsey, a single mother from Newark, who is struggling to afford the costs of her son's football training. These costs include $40 for an hour-long training session three times a week, $50 for a wide receiver trainer on Saturdays, and $550 for a summer combine circuit on 10 college campuses. These costs don’t even include the hundreds of dollars worth of equipment needed for her son.
Unfortunately, Raynelle's story is not unique. Across the country, families are grappling with the escalating costs of sports.
For Jaelyn, an 11-year-old who aspired to play college softball, the journey required high-level coaching, individual skill development, and costly recruiting services. Despite the heavy financial toll, Jaelyn's father, Luis, committed to her dream. After years of hard work, Jaelyn secured a scholarship at a top-tier Division II program. Her father’s sacrifice paid off.
Recruiting is free, and no parent should pay for additional recruiting services. Recruiting services often take advantage of families' aspirations, promising offers from dream schools, and come with a high price tag. Besides, college coaches prefer hearing directly from the athletes or their high school coaches.
These high costs associated with becoming an elite athlete have far-reaching implications. They contribute to a widening gap between low-income and high-income families, lead to burnout in young athletes, and impact sports' diversity and inclusivity.
At GMTM, we're committed to changing this.
We envision a future where all athletes have opportunities, regardless of income, geography, or background. We're crafting a solution to provide everything an athlete needs for success. The pursuit of athletic success shouldn’t be hindered by high costs. With GMTM, a path of change and opportunity is on the horizon. Stay tuned as we reshape the game for athletes everywhere.
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