What’s Important to Parents?
Parents were asked, “What is the most important thing for your child’s travel team program?” This is what we received:
COACHING - As expected, most parents agreed that the quality of coaching is most important in their decision-making for lacrosse travel programs. Spending time throughout the year with someone who has legitimate coaching pedigree and a quality character was mentioned by every parents. Families’ desire to have their child around a coach who will bring positive sports and life lessons was unanimous.
COMMUNICATION - This was a two-fold response. Communication, being defined as disseminating program information, changes or expectations was one part. Responses also defined communication as open dialogue and transparency with their coaches and program directors.
LOCATION - Families with busy work schedules and multiple children felt that location of practices were in the top of reasons when making a decision about travel teams. This aligns with quality coaching and use of the families time. However, not all areas provide the same coaching quality and some families even travel to other states for their sports programming.
COST - All parents responded with a concern about cost but the threshold differed from parent to parent. The reasons for cost threshold were determined sometimes by income and other times by their son or daughters level of passion for the sport.
COLLEGE RECRUITING - For those at the high school age, many listed ability to get recruited by colleges as a top reason. Can the program assist in college recruiting and how? Others believe that players with the ability to play in college will get recruited eventually.
NATIONAL TEAM - For parents whose child may have very high aspirations, a national program was near the top of their list for travel team programming. Having a higher ceiling of competition was important to the parents and their player. National teams play a role in sports development but can have adverse effects as well.
