What The Heck Is Going On With So Few Teams Playing

[cent]

Just thought I would get some ideas of what is going on with the lack of interest in teams playing this year. Was just talking to the organizers of some tournaments that have been going for years and are very successful in filling and am finding out from them they are having the same problems I am, they are not filling this year.

Tournaments that would fill in a few days are considering dropping the entire tournament this year as no teams are entering. Friendlies that filled in one day, now not one team is entering. What is going on????

This seems especially true in the 12's and 14's.

The economy, lack of teams, what is it.

[DDG]

It can't be for a lack of teams, especially at the 12 & 14u levels. New teams are forming every time a daddy is upset about DD's playing time.

At the older ages, there is more competition from other organizations having friendlies and tournaments for fundraisers. Look at all the "toys for tots" and similar tournaments popping up. Look at the Friendlies and Tournaments forums here. Everyday there are new posts about events from most of the major organizations, and a bunch of smaller ones. Even small independent teams that couldn't qualify as a gold team (back when we had to do that) are getting 5 or 6 teams at their friendlies every month.

Good luck.