Why would you think a contract makes a difference? On both sides?
In the FED it gives the owners all the leverage. You are stuck with that team for the year no matter what. Whereas, the owner will have to honor the contract but can bury the kid and still take your money.
Not sure how often this happens.
Hold off as long as you can. Problem is parents get so edgey this time of year they tend to get a little jumpy.
We switched Fed teams mid-season a couple of years ago. If your kid is a good kid and you aren't a PITA as a parent, they will work with you. You just have to ask.
Youth sports contracts are meaningless in a court of law. Payment terms are only thing that would be applicable.
Not completely true. The EHF has league rules around playing for other teams and player movement. If you sign an EHF contract, and violate the rules, the contract will strengthen the league's ability to enforce them. Which I understand they selectively do when a parent shows blatant disregard for the league.
If a parent were to decide to file a claim, I'd expect the judge would look at the contract - after asking you why you are in his courtroom over youth hockey - and be forced to decide for the league since the parent did knowingly agree to be bound by the rules.
We have never had a contract before tryouts. Then again my kid is 10 so we have a life
Mine played both leagues. EHF the team's contracts were out in early February, his NEHL/E9 club waited until tryouts but we had the discussion beforehand. Probably varies league to league and organization to organization.