Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had a lot of conversations with parents about club sports, player development, and the reality of club politics.

Like any organization, politics and favoritism can exist in youth sports. Most parents notice it at some point, and while it’s not the foundation of every club, it is something that can influence experiences in different environments--It is definitely not a one size fits all scenario!

One question I’ve been asked often lately is:

“I feel like my player wasn’t chosen because of me as a parent or because I don’t fit in.”

I can’t say that perception never happens. What I can say is that environments vary widely, and it’s important to find coaches and clubs where player development is clearly the priority and not secondary to everything else. Like a good therapist it may take a few different places until you find your unicorn!

Pay attention to where the focus is placed. Clubs that emphasize development tend to spend less time highlighting only wins and more time investing in learning, growth, and long term player progress. At the youth level, wins do not necessarily reflect development success...and I cannot say that enough!

Don’t hesitate to explore other clubs, teams, or ask for referrals if something doesn’t feel like the right fit. Finding the right environment for a player can make a significant difference in their experience and development.

And as a broader reminder for our community: it’s important to build a culture where we recognize and celebrate good play wherever it happens. Whether it’s within your own club or across an opponent, effort, improvement, and standout moments deserve to be acknowledged!

There’s room for competition and a positive development culture to exist at the same time.