All-Star Competition Fees/stp Costs

[emo_wifey]

I would encourage all parents to be more vocal with the gym owners and coaches and share that they do NOT want to go on ultra-expensive year-end events and chase bids. Gym owners generally try to do what they believe their customers want and many fear cancelling Summit or other events for fear that customers will jump ship. If they know that many customers really do NOT want to spend that kind of money, they will be more likely to pass on those pricier events and take the program to events with less travel and better value.

It is incredibly rare that I talk to a gym owner that really wants to go to those Disney venues, but they generally feel they have to to keep their customers happy. (It is expensive for the gyms also - plus the qualifying events have raised their entry fees a huge amount also.)

Yes, I know some parents have voiced their concerns with NCA over the past couple of years with our owner and last year only the higher level teams went. Not sure if they are going again this year, but CP is only M1 and we aren't going. I think our program does a great job at keeping costs and travel minimal for prep and lower level teams, and I'm sure they do what they can with higher levels. We're lucky though to be in an area where they can do that and stay competitive.

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[Eyes On The Prize]

Coming back to this after spending some time on instagram today. I read a few posts on those insta anon accounts talking about whether or not school cheer was a sport. And the overwhelming majority of comments on these posts were from younger kids saying that school cheer is a sport because it's the best alternative they can afford to all star. So many comments of young girls and boys stating how much they wished they could do all star, but just cannot afford it. Not only is this heartbreaking as someone who loves the sport, but from a business perspective it's terrifying. How many tens of thousands of potential customers have been priced out of the sport during what could have been its biggest period of growth? All-star Cheerleading has become akin to horseback rising, something only the affluent can afford. It's something we've all talked about for years but after today I see that it's happened already. The cost of entry is too high for beginners and intermediates alike. I know why, cat lady has done a great job of explaining that repeatedly. So the question is how do we save this sport? What can consumers do 'vote with our money' and help to lower these costs?

There is really more to all star than money that makes it difficult for parents to choose it over school or rec -the time commitment, work schedules, family dynamics, subpar employment benefits, other priorities, etc. I was told many times as a child "we can't afford that" when we could but my parents didn't want it for other reasons. Kids saying that on instagram doesn't mean that the money is the sole purpose that they're not in all star. It's true affluent families have more money, but they also usually have more time and can get more flexible work schedules. All star requires more time than rec, for both athletes and families. Kids miss more school in all star which means parents miss more work. Parents are shuttling kids to practice and comps which means they aren't home to take care of other tasks or people. Some parents don't have flexible schedules to get kids to practice, can't miss the days from work if theres a travel comp, have other responsibilities at home that conflict with cheer, can't afford the medical bills if the kid gets hurt, are mentally struggling to get by themselves and can't add on more personal stress, etc and chose not to enroll their kid in all star... even if they have the money.

Sometimes the choice between rec and all star isn't just about the cost of cheer itself. And yes, the more time you commit to a thing, the more competitive you will get, which means the more it will cost. Rec cheer fills a gap that all star gyms who don't have half year or locally competing teams can't provide. I'm not saying cheer isn't expensive, because it's sooooo freaking expensive, but I don't think lowering the cost of cheer alone is going to fix participation rates.

Also, the middle class is shrinking and industries all over are taking a hit because there is less disposable income. Housing and insurance costs have increased exponentially, education is viewed as a necessity but priced as a luxury, consumer debt is growing, retirement savings and benefits are decreasing, all the while salaries are increasing at a snails pace. Private sports teams (aka all star cheer) will be replaced with cheaper and less demanding alternatives (like rec and school) when American families are struggling to get by. People dropping out of all star is a symptom of a bigger problem. High level, specialized sports have never been affordable for the lower class. All star cheer is a high level, specialized sport and the lower class is growing.

 

[chardaeeeee]

To me the big issue is that it WAS reasonable before, and you can't make me believe that venues and costs have doubled or tripled for the exact same event with the exact same seat up. It hasn't, but admission prices sure have. None of this has to do with costs, it has to do with making more money. Jamfest events used to be free for spectators. Imagine how much they make charging admission now. They would not have allowed free spectators before if they weren't still making money, so now they are just making thousands more with no more actual work or improvement to their event.

As long as coaches and owners do it, it will continue. Don't even get me started on Summit.

Wow... THIS!!! Jamfest events were free during almost my entire cheer career.

 

[cheermomforever]

Wow... THIS!!! Jamfest events were free during almost my entire cheer career.

I remember those days when my daughter had just started cheering!

 

[quitthedrama]

Apparently somewhere on social media (I am assuming a coach's page since I didn't have access to it) an Industry professional posted some information about how hotel costs were astronomical for the Cotton Bowl (Texas/OU) and making his case for STP. I was able to go on to many hotel sites the day before that game and several brand hotels were under $200 within 2 miles of the stadium. That was booking the day of and without points, discounts such as AAA, etc. I'm sure had I looked in advance and used codes I would have found even less expensive prices. STP is a farce and an industry money maker plain and simple. We have been going to the same competitions for decades and never needed it before and found quality, economical hotel rooms close to the venue. Venues are not going to give up an event that has committed year after year for anything except perhaps something like a Superbowl (and we all saw last year that STP couldn't help secure Cheersport since they got bumped). I don't care how many "facts and statistics" the STP lovers continue show to try to make their case - it is not necessary and has made travel not only significantly more expensive but also very difficult and frustrating. Parents are tired of jumping through hoops to spend more money than necessary.

 

[cheermomforever]

Apparently somewhere on social media (I am assuming a coach's page since I didn't have access to it) an Industry professional posted some information about how hotel costs were astronomical for the Cotton Bowl (Texas/OU) and making his case for STP. I was able to go on to many hotel sites the day before that game and several brand hotels were under $200 within 2 miles of the stadium. That was booking the day of and without points, discounts such as AAA, etc. I'm sure had I looked in advance and used codes I would have found even less expensive prices. STP is a farce and an industry money maker plain and simple. We have been going to the same competitions for decades and never needed it before and found quality, economical hotel rooms close to the venue. Venues are not going to give up an event that has committed year after year for anything except perhaps something like a Superbowl (and we all saw last year that STP couldn't help secure Cheersport since they got bumped). I don't care how many "facts and statistics" the STP lovers continue show to try to make their case - it is not necessary and has made travel not only significantly more expensive but also very difficult and frustrating. Parents are tired of jumping through hoops to spend more money than necessary.

I am waiting to c how much Worlds prices go up as UCA did!

 

[catlady]

Apparently somewhere on social media (I am assuming a coach's page since I didn't have access to it) an Industry professional posted some information about how hotel costs were astronomical for the Cotton Bowl (Texas/OU) and making his case for STP. I was able to go on to many hotel sites the day before that game and several brand hotels were under $200 within 2 miles of the stadium. That was booking the day of and without points, discounts such as AAA, etc. I'm sure had I looked in advance and used codes I would have found even less expensive prices. STP is a farce and an industry money maker plain and simple. We have been going to the same competitions for decades and never needed it before and found quality, economical hotel rooms close to the venue. Venues are not going to give up an event that has committed year after year for anything except perhaps something like a Superbowl (and we all saw last year that STP couldn't help secure Cheersport since they got bumped). I don't care how many "facts and statistics" the STP lovers continue show to try to make their case - it is not necessary and has made travel not only significantly more expensive but also very difficult and frustrating. Parents are tired of jumping through hoops to spend more money than necessary.

There's not one soul out there that loves STP or being forced to purchase something they don't want to in the youth sport industry. There's not a soul that disagrees it's gotten ridiculously expensive, but in the words of Dr. Phil, how's the "I hate Varsity and Disney mantra been working out?" When city empires are built around convention centers and their success is measured in hotel night stays, we're going to pay dearly for the empire and our hotel nights. The only support given by anyone on STP is that a negotiated contract for the masses is often better or equal to leaving it to chance. Just because a couple thousand are able to jump on PriceLine and get a deal for $100-200 pre-mass hysteria or last minute doesn't mean the majority won't pay $200-500. Technology insures that hotels/airlines/rental cars/taxis/Ubers know high demand within seconds and up their pricing accordingly. Another thing that has changed in the past 10 years.

@Eyes On The Prize is right, it's not just the money. Many of our neighbors with young kids are creating their own version of what I'll call "The Bucket List Family" type of life. They travel to unique places, hike, bike, do unique activities, take in the culture, food, etc. Every family member, including the two year old, totes a $200-300 backpack, has their own $60 water bottle, and they post about their adventure for days. I get the appeal, the family is together, everyone is involved, and they have control of where, wear, what and how. Youth sports aren't going anywhere, I have faith the younger Millennials and Gen Z will figure out how to circumvent what us Boomers and Older Millennials have just complained about.

 

[alpaca]

@catlady I know you are well informed about STP and venues etc so I thought you may have some insight.

Oldest isn't cheering this year, and youngest is playing field hockey. She had a tournament this weekend. The facility had "Friday Night Lights" style permanent outdoor lighting, new digital scoreboards, and 3 turf fields with bleachers. College quality fields. There were also 2 baseball fields that looked just as nice. As a rec team we paid nothing. I assume the local county paid any team fee. Parking was ample and free. Games were played from morning til about 9pm both days of the weekend.

The obvious difference between cheer and this scenario is the indoor/outdoor factor.

I'm wondering how these sort of events are possible. Actually, how is the facility possible. I have listened to all the reasons that cheer comps are expensive and they make sense, but then I experience this past weekend and start questioning again.

 

[catlady]

@catlady I know you are well informed about STP and venues etc so I thought you may have some insight.

Oldest isn't cheering this year, and youngest is playing field hockey. She had a tournament this weekend. The facility had "Friday Night Lights" style permanent outdoor lighting, new digital scoreboards, and 3 turf fields with bleachers. College quality fields. There were also 2 baseball fields that looked just as nice. As a rec team we paid nothing. I assume the local county paid any team fee. Parking was ample and free. Games were played from morning til about 9pm both days of the weekend.

The obvious difference between cheer and this scenario is the indoor/outdoor factor.

I'm wondering how these sort of events are possible. Actually, how is the facility possible. I have listened to all the reasons that cheer comps are expensive and they make sense, but then I experience this past weekend and start questioning again.

There are still government paid for parks that exist that aren't specifically designed to bring in tourism. Example: In our area Adams Park is a 33 acre community park that has six lighted baseball fields, four lighted softball fields, lighted tennis courts, batting cages, concession stands, etc. They host many recreational programs, summer camps, and they are also backed by local businesses and Corps. to help with costs and maintenance.

The flip side are parks such as Grand Park or Lake Point that are specifically built to bring in tourism and go way beyond your typical community park. They are hundreds of acres, have indoor facilities and many outdoor fields to handle large tournaments, hotels are built to support it, restaurants surround them, they provide links and advertise city attractions, and on all of these sights they boast being the "Premier Travel Sport Destination."

From the Chattanooga Free Times Press about an Athletic Championship comp which is fairly small:

Kaegi said this competition is the largest event in Chattanooga each year and typically brings in at least $5 million in tourism spending. With it being the Martin Luther King Day holiday weekend, Kaegi said many people stay an extra night, bringing the city additional revenue. <artlicle>