My kid plays a lot of tennis, since the age of about six or so. He enjoys it, does group practices twice a week, one private lesson and then a tournament every so often. He is age 12, but we see the commitment it takes to get to the next level and it is crazy, six days a week of practice, tournaments most weekends, travel etc. Some kids we meet truly have the drive/love of the sport and really want to do it. I'm quite happy my kid does not because the parental commitment is also intense!
Hockey in my area (Minnesota) is effectively year round. Hockey families are almost isolated in their own worlds they spend so much time on it. I know some basketball families like that too ... only time we see them is a wave as they're coming and going.
If they're happy I guess that is good, but the cost in $$$ and time, you almost need a parent dedicated to spend much of their non working time to this sport seems like it would exclude a lot of people.
My kid plays a lot of tennis, since the age of about six or so. He enjoys it, does group practices twice a week, one private lesson and then a tournament every so often. He is age 12, but we see the commitment it takes to get to the next level and it is crazy, six days a week of practice, tournaments most weekends, travel etc. Some kids we meet truly have the drive/love of the sport and really want to do it. I'm quite happy my kid does not because the parental commitment is also intense!
The time sink of youth sports is bonkers.
Hockey in my area (Minnesota) is effectively year round. Hockey families are almost isolated in their own worlds they spend so much time on it. I know some basketball families like that too ... only time we see them is a wave as they're coming and going.
If they're happy I guess that is good, but the cost in $$$ and time, you almost need a parent dedicated to spend much of their non working time to this sport seems like it would exclude a lot of people.