Kids’ Sports Can Take a Toll on Families

If a student wants to compete at a national level for a spot on an NCAA team, they need passion, talent, dedication, and resources. None of those requirements typically prevent a player from participating in a rec league.

The author seems to want to blend participation in sports, participation in organized sports, and participation in competitive "club" sports all together to conclude low income families are left out and/or that competitive club sports have become too competitive.

If a player wants to play in college they are up against the laws of supply and demand. In the sport my kids play, there are 50% more grade specific players on nationally ranked club teams than there are openings on NCAA teams. If you don't play on a club team, you are probably not getting recruited and even if you do play on a club team your college spot is by no means assured.

I guess one might rightly argue that competitive club sports have become too competitive but I don't see an alternative at least not in the sport my kids play. My kid can't tell a player on a different team to practice or play less.