I did not know scams like this existed. I don’t remember it being a thing when I was in youth sports. And now having two kids entering their first years of travel sports, this is concerning. Thankful I haven’t had to deal with this yet.
I didn't either until in the throes of it. It was shocking to realize we couldn't just book where we wanted, as a team or individually. But as long as we're all so happy just to be there and willing to sign the dotted line on anything youth sports-related, this scam will continue. Hope by pointing it that at least a couple of people will think twice.
It’s our first year with a travel sport/club. My skeptic alarm feels like a 4-alarm fire— esp. with the stay-and-play. At first, we were told from the club that we had to choose from their pre-reserved block of rooms. Only to find that at least we could choose from an array of hotels through the sports housing website that had more reasonable value (by $150/night). There seems to be little transparency on so many levels with threats of “you could be dropped from the tournament”. And now I’m even finding phone calls for “recruitment profiles” for my 8th grade volleyball player. It all seems gross and predatory. I’ve got so many thoughts on this… and always appreciate a dissenting voice in a society that has its head in the sand.
Oh man Rachel, we could talk for hours about this. The predators are only growing especially in the youth sports travel industry which is exploding. My little sliver of advice on the stay-to-play front: If you find a lower rate than what you're being told is mandatory, email that info to the powers at be. Make them justify why they're charging more. Already had one fee reduced that way. I sometimes think they consider us such suckers they assume we'd never check anything like that.
So much practical info from her and other parents on what's what. Her advice for a kid your age is to have fun and focus on grades until the winter of their freshman year. Even at that point, the steps are pretty mild. Whereas some of these recruiting outfits act like an 8th grader is five years behind in the recruiting process. 🙄
I did not know scams like this existed. I don’t remember it being a thing when I was in youth sports. And now having two kids entering their first years of travel sports, this is concerning. Thankful I haven’t had to deal with this yet.
I didn't either until in the throes of it. It was shocking to realize we couldn't just book where we wanted, as a team or individually. But as long as we're all so happy just to be there and willing to sign the dotted line on anything youth sports-related, this scam will continue. Hope by pointing it that at least a couple of people will think twice.
It’s our first year with a travel sport/club. My skeptic alarm feels like a 4-alarm fire— esp. with the stay-and-play. At first, we were told from the club that we had to choose from their pre-reserved block of rooms. Only to find that at least we could choose from an array of hotels through the sports housing website that had more reasonable value (by $150/night). There seems to be little transparency on so many levels with threats of “you could be dropped from the tournament”. And now I’m even finding phone calls for “recruitment profiles” for my 8th grade volleyball player. It all seems gross and predatory. I’ve got so many thoughts on this… and always appreciate a dissenting voice in a society that has its head in the sand.
Oh man Rachel, we could talk for hours about this. The predators are only growing especially in the youth sports travel industry which is exploding. My little sliver of advice on the stay-to-play front: If you find a lower rate than what you're being told is mandatory, email that info to the powers at be. Make them justify why they're charging more. Already had one fee reduced that way. I sometimes think they consider us such suckers they assume we'd never check anything like that.
If you do think playing in college is in the cards for your volleyball player, can't recommend Renee Lopez's Facebook Group enough https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentsofhsathleteswantingtoplayincollege/
So much practical info from her and other parents on what's what. Her advice for a kid your age is to have fun and focus on grades until the winter of their freshman year. Even at that point, the steps are pretty mild. Whereas some of these recruiting outfits act like an 8th grader is five years behind in the recruiting process. 🙄
Wow this is truly ridiculous! Thanks for pointing it out. It’s almost like sports parents need to unionize!