YFMP PHASE I SEPTEMBER 2009 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Of the 123 families surveyed, 37% of parents reported that they have other children who also play soccer; on average, these families have three children who play soccer. Cost ofsoccer league participation In terms of the cost families are paying to participate in soccer annually, the parents reported a variety of costs for each of the different leagues32: ❑ AYSO - Parents reported paying $80 -$200; $100 was the most commonly reported amount. ❑ Azteca- parents reported paying $15 -$50; $25 and $50 were the most common response. ❑ Boy Scouts- parents reported paying $20 -$60; $20 and $25 were the most common responses. ❑ California Youth- parents reported the most varied amounts here, with a range of $5 -$500 being reported; the most common reported fees ranged from $25 -$60. ❑ Club America- parents reported paying $30 -$80. ❑ Conquist America- parents reported paying $25 -$35. ❑ Olympic- parents reported paying $15 -$70; the most common response was $60. ❑ SADSP- parents reported paying no fee to $50. ❑ SAYSA- parents reported spending $20 to $100; most common responses were $45 and $60. The variations in reported fees may be due to certain leagues providing discounts when multiple family members play. However, the differences of responses were not correlated with the number of kids that the parents have playing in the league. 80% of parents reported their league had additional costs at the game. The only league where no one reported additional cost per game was the AYSO league. Seven families reported having to pay for unexpected expenses during the soccer season. Those costs were primarily for uniforms, snacks or if the other teammates did not show up, they had to pay supplemental referee fees. While 85% of parents reported that the cost of playing soccer for the league is affordable for their family, 70% thought that their league is affordable for the typical family in Santa Ana. Only 15% of the families were aware of league scholarships or financial aid options available to families that could not afford fees. Only 19% of the parents reported that their child plays another sport; of those families, most noted baseball, basketball and football as the other sport. Barriers forfamilies When asked about possible barriers to accessing soccer leagues in Santa Ana, participants had various responses. However, the two main barriers participants felt deterred families from participating in soccer leagues were the cost and transportation difficulties. According to the responses, 46% of participants felt that transportation was a barrier for families in Santa Ana, and 42% of participants also believe that the cost was a barrier. Other barriers that participants identified were the lack of interest in soccer (17 %) and parents having no time (12 %). Interestingly, 14% of the participants believed that Santa Ana families experience no barriers when attempting to use the leagues services. Table 13. Barriers to participation Barrier # responses (out of 123) % responded Transportation 57 46 Too expensive 52 42 32 The reasons for the discrepancies between the league- reported costs and these amounts can be attributed to parents giving an inaccurate sum by lumping the registration of multiple children into their idea of what it costs for one child to play. Also, some parents may have included food, equipment, tournament and referee fees into the cost of the league.