A Disappearing Middle Class

Episode 29: Chris Dardano (Soccer Coach, Soccer Dad, Former Club Admin.)

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Dardano, who shares his extensive experience and unique perspective from the world of youth soccer.

🔹 Where Does the Money Go? – A seemingly simple question, but Dardano gives a complicated answer. He breaks down the financial trail in youth soccer, explaining where your fees actually end up.

🔹 The Disappearing Middle Class in Youth Soccer – With the watering down of recreational leagues, many resources are being diverted to club teams, but at what cost? Dardano discusses the decline of quality in recreational soccer and the shift toward more elite club programs.

🔹 The Ripple Effect of Fewer Rec Options – As recreational soccer opportunities shrink, more families are turning to club soccer, creating a bigger gap in quality. This shift leads to a lower quality product overall.

🔹 The Need for Quality Coaches and Facilities – For a middle-class, quality club/rec option to thrive, Dardano stresses the importance of having quality coaches and well-maintained facilities. Unfortunately, many top coaches are drawn to elite programs, leaving the middle tier underfunded and lacking.

🔹 The Decline of Local Youth Sports Leagues – Youth sports leagues aren't as localized as they used to be, leading to challenges in facility management, travel logistics, and community involvement. This shift has impacted the overall quality and accessibility of programs.

🔹 Volunteerism and Fundraising Struggles – These days, fewer people are willing to volunteer or fundraise at the grassroots level. Many would rather Venmo their way out of it, contributing to a growing disconnect between families and local youth sports programs.

🔹 Youth Sports as a Toll Booth – Dardano offers perhaps his most intriguing take: Youth sports have increasingly become like a toll booth, where parents are paying for access but aren’t always sure where their money is going or what it’s actually funding.

🔹 And of course... MORE HOT TAKES! – You’ll definitely want to tune in for some spicy opinions that will make you rethink the state of youth sports today.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the economic side of youth sports and how it’s affecting the development of young athletes!