Sports are one of the most popular activities kids and teenagers partake in. For many, sports are a way to strengthen community and build perseverance. However, when it comes to choosing a team, there are typically two options: club sports and school sports. Club and school sports can both cater to different interests and needs an athlete may have.
When asked about students choosing between club and school sports, Camas High School (CHS) girls varsity soccer coach Keri Tomasetti cited differing time commitments, expectations, and experience levels as common reasons students choose either club or school sports.
“Some will choose both, while others will choose one over the other,” Tomasetti said.
According to students, the methods and amount of practice are the primary difference between club and school athletics.
“It’s hard to balance school practice with homework and other clubs,” CHS sophomore and club soccer player Olive Gilbert said. “It also has a high injury risk because of the large amount of practice and games you are doing… a lot of girls I know have gotten injured this year.”
Gilbert then compared this with the time commitment of club practices.
“[Club sports are] not as much of a time commitment… games are on the weekends instead of midweek and after school.”
This sentiment was shared by fellow CHS sophomore and club volleyball player Emerin Binder.
“[My] least favorite thing about school sports is that I have to stay at school for almost 12 hours straight,” Binder said.
However, one of the largest contrasts between playing sports for school and playing sports for a club is the cost of playing. For a school sport, an athlete must pay an ASB fee and a fee to join the given sport. For a club sport, the cost is typically much higher. Although the students who were interviewed did not have an exact price, they estimated an average of about $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the level, sport and travel.
On the other hand, athletes expressed that the sense of community was their favorite thing about school sports.
“It’s a huge, fun community… being a part of school sports enhances my experience with it,” Gilbert said. She also mentioned that she met a lot of new people through school sports, as opposed to club sports where she has played with most of the same teammates throughout the years.
“I think both have been incredibly beneficial,” Gilbert said. “The more time you switch environments and coaching and adapt, it makes you a better player.”
Despite having things that they dislike about club and school athletics respectively, interviewed athletes were also able to find many benefits in each of the programs, whether it is friends, gaining experience or becoming more ingrained in their community.
“Players choose based on what they love,” Tomasetti said. “[That choice] is certainly a personal one, and athletes need to choose what is best for themselves.”
