I can't speak for everyone but I can speak for my family. We do not go to every tournament and are one of those families who like to only go to tournaments that are close to where we live. Why? Because of three things: cost, commitments, and burn-out.
Cost:
When we started, most tournament fees where only 8 dollars. That was affordable when you added in cost for gas and concession stands. Now, not only has the tournament fees increased to 12-15.00 but the cost of concessions and gas has risen as well. It doesn't sound like that much until you start to multiply that by the number of kids you have in your family. Basically, we can't afford to go every weekend. (and I am sorry but when gas is over 2.00 a gallon, there IS a difference between traveling 30 miles versus 60-100). Forget going to National Tournaments. We can't even afford to go on a family vacation.
Commitments: If we only had one child and that child was totally committed to wrestling than we would spend all of our time doing so. However, I have four kids. One in high school who wrestles and has his own tournaments on Saturdays...a junior high girl who has basketball games...and then my two young boys in kids federation. On top of that, we have church obligations, social commitments, family life and other school events that we try to squeeze in as well (on top of two very demanding jobs). It is easier if we only have to travel 30 minutes because we can probably fit one or two things in together but to give up a whole day every weekend-forget it.
Burn-out: I have been involved in Kids Wrestling for over 9 years. I am burned out. I have also seen many very talented (and quite a few state champions) who are no longer wrestling because they are burned out and I don't want my kids to feel that way too. The season is too long and seems to start earlier every year....the tournaments are getting longer.....there are more 16-man brackets than before....and I am really getting jealous of those parents whose kids play YMCA basketball with their 8 weeks of one hour games and Saturday's free schedule.
Maybe others feel the same way.
