Crazy Money! The Cost of Youth Sports

It’s Crazy Money Day!

A Junior Golf Performance Academy located in Fort Worth, TX is equipped with video capture bays, an onsite trainer, a sports psychologist, and a chef. The emphasis is on winning. The appeal is a low student-teacher ratio, at least 3 hours of custom one-on-one instruction per week. All but two of their participants have signed college scholarships. The cost? $40,000 for commuters, $60,000 for residents. That’s crazy! A 2022 survey by Lending Tree revealed that 60% of families say youth sports are a financial drain. Parents can easily spend $10,000 a year for a child to play on a travel team. Travis Dorsch, who played briefly in the NFL, found that kids in youth sports perceive more pressure when parents spend a greater percentage of the family income. The focus often shifts from fun, skill, and competency to winning. Plus, youth sports are time-consuming. Kids may suffer burnout and risk injury, but a major concern for people of faith should be how it conflicts with regular worship and church activities.

In Hebrews 10 we read,  “… let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) You must decide what sacrifices to make for childhood sports. Prioritizing a relationship with Christ and regular corporate worship sets the course for life. It has eternal value.

And if participation in youth sports has led to credit card debt, Christian Credit Counselors will help. They’ll create a debt management plan specifically for you. For more information visit online at crown.org/ccc.