DS is 8, likes sport, is getting interested in clubs, competition etc.
I'm sporty but new to the world of organised sport for kids. From my experience I expect sport to be a cheap hobby.
E.g. For my sport (running) my £90/year club subs gets me 4 club sessions a week, free entry to 30+ races a year, club gym, cheap bar. Juniors pay £20/year.
Where I grew up sports clubs were run by parent volunteers or by members for members, costs were nominal. E.g. Junior membership at the local tennis/squash club was £40/year for use of courts, clubhouse, organised sessions run by older kids, local leagues. (yes, that was 90's prices, but costs now are £40 for U11s, £70 for 11-18, £170 adults).
Last week DS went to a taster session at a club (for a sport I'm unfamiliar with) and loved it. It was an indoor winter training session with around thirty 8-12s, lots of skills, drills, run by volunteers in a hired hall, no expensive equipment. All good grassroots sport stuff.
But... the club are asking for a Direct Debit of £36/month (£432/year!) or £11/session. I think at his age the only session this covers is this 1 hour session a week, term time only.
I think this is a LOT! I was expecting to pay around a fiver a session. But AIBU and out of touch? Are my experiences unusual? Is it normal to expect to pay this much for organised kids sport now?