High school sports are often advertised as equal-opportunity activities: try out, work hard and earn your spot. However, for many student-athletes, reaching higher levels of competition depends on more than talent and dedication. The rising cost of equipment, club team tuition, private training and travel can determine who gets access to development and recruiting opportunities, creating a financial barrier that some athletes simply can’t overcome. According to the Aspen Institute Project Play, the average U.S. family spent $1,016 on their child’s primary sport, with total costs often much higher once travel and training are included.

For committed athletes, playing a school sport is often just one piece of the puzzle. Sophomore Sidney Bank plays junior varsity lacrosse at Redwood and competes frequently for ADVNC, a local club lacrosse team. Bank said that improving technical skills and overall competitiveness often requires resources outside of school.

“A lot of people do private lessons or extra clinics, and that’s where you really get better,” Bank said. “If you can’t afford that, it feels harder to keep up, even if you’re putting in the same effort.”

The gap becomes more visible as athletes aim for varsity spots and college recruitment. A survey by Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) found that nearly 90 percent of student-athletes who compete in college played for a club team during the recruiting process, highlighting how critical club exposure has become.

Junior Cole Graves plays varsity soccer and also competes for the San Francisco Glens, a club team that attends showcase tournaments, sometimes as far away as Vancouver, and said how those experiences reveal the financial reality behind college exposure.

“College coaches aren’t usually coming to high school games,” Graves said. “They’re at club tournaments. If you’re not on a team that travels to those showcases, you’re missing out on chances to be seen.”

“To get recruited, you’re paying for lessons, tournaments and travel so coaches can watch you play,” Leverte said. “It’s a long process, and it’s definitely not cheap.”

These financial demands can quietly limit who moves on to higher levels of competition. Athletes who can’t afford club teams, private coaching or recruiting showcases may struggle to reach higher levels—not because they lack ability, but because they lack access. While high school sports are meant to reward hard work and commitment, money often dictates who receives the training and exposure required to reach a higher level of play,—shaping futures in a system meant to be open to all.

While financial barriers remain significant, some local efforts aim to make sports more accessible. Several Marin County organizations help offset costs, including the Marin Athletic Foundation, which supports high school athletes through equipment assistance and scholarships, along with aid offered by different sport-specific clubs. As college recruitment becomes increasingly tied to club sports and private development, the cost of playing continues to rise. The question facing high school athletics is no longer simply who is the most talented,—but who can afford the path to reach the next level.