I know this forum is primarily about club programs but the last point about it killing rec is on point, especially at the earlier age groups. The point of rec is to get kids involved in the sport and find those athletes who want to further develop but need a season or two before committing to club. I'm sure there's a few club teams whose B or C team was born out of new players to the sport but I would venture to guess those are the exception and not the norm. No one wants to pay club dues to find out if their child likes a sport.
If programs are decimated each weekend to the point of not being able to even field teams because "club comes first", those girls don't get the development time rec provides them to pursue the sport.
While yes it's rec and some will trash it all they want, kids need and want the mental break it provides to play with less pressure and learn it's OK to make mistakes on the field and how to overcome them while lifting up a new group of potential club players.
