Originally posted by TRAVIUS wycowrestling.org:
What do u think about the cost of kids tournaments? Most of them are reasonable but the cost has increased the past 5 years. When I first started my club (2000)
Novice... $8
Open... $10
Marjor Open $15
Now I see novice tournament at $12-15... I never ran a kids tournaments before and therefore dont completely understand the cost involved in running a tournament but i do know the increased cost of tournament will eventually be a deterant.
(excuse the typos)
Travius:
I agree that this is an area of concern. Cost can drive people away from participation in any sport and wrestling is no exception. Everyone has to make choices and put personal limits on themselves. I am sure some people find it so difficult financially that they can only let their children compete during the middle school season if their school offers a program. Only wrestling at the middle school level would not be as beneficial as wrestling in our USAW-KS schedule after the middle school season is completed.
I am not sure if our USAW-KS organization offers assistance to clubs from lower income areas to help kids afford to compete in USAW meets, but that would be worth looking into. I would suggest contacting Ned Price our State Competition Director or Mike Juby our State Director on that possibility. Another suggestion would be to consider running a tournament as a fundraiser. You might want to meet with Sean McCarthy (STA club) or Jeff Broadbent (Mill Valley) for suggestions on how to successfully run a tournament.
