How we rate clubs
Explore independently sourced club research now. Numerical club ratings are shown only after the minimum number of qualifying parent surveys is reached.
- 12
- factors per club
- 2
- sources: research + parents
- 1–5
- score on each factor
- 5
- qualifying surveys before ratings appear
What goes into a rating
Our research
The facts we can check ourselves, gathered the same way for every club.
- Published fees, uniform costs, and payment options
- Leagues and team levels the club fields
- Coach licensing and staff information
- Fields, lights, and winter training space
- Official program pages and source-linked club materials, where available
Parent surveys
What it’s actually like, from the families who live it every week.
- Parents score the club 1–5 on the same factors we do
- Open questions about coaching, culture, and communication
- Open to families with a player at the club in the last 2 years
- Anonymous: we never publish your name or email, and we only share quotes if you say it’s OK
- At least 5 qualifying surveys before numerical ratings appear (current launch setting)
How a rating comes together
Illustration only: the connected ratings workbook currently defaults to 50% research and 50% parent ratings for factors with both scores. The weights can be changed in Settings; if only one source has a score, the workbook uses that source after the survey minimum is met. Research findings alone do not publish a rating.
The 12 things we rate
Ratings are the same for everyone. Fit is yours.
A club’s ratings don’t change based on who’s looking. Your fit score does: it weights each rating by how important you said it was. Your #1 pick counts 5×, #2 counts 4×, and so on.
That’s why we don’t publish an overall “best club” list. The right club for one family can be the wrong club for another.
| YOUR PRIORITY | RATING | WEIGHT | POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Drive time | 4.4 | × 5 | 22 |
| #2 Coaching quality | 4 | × 4 | 16 |
| #3 Cost | 4 | × 3 | 12 |
| #4 Playing time | 4 | × 2 | 8 |
| Total | of 70 possible | 58 |
Drive time is the only rating that changes by family: it’s estimated from your ZIP, from 5 (10 minutes or less) down to 0 (an hour or more).
Our commitments
Independence
Clubs can’t pay for a rating or a higher ranking, and they never will. If we take sponsorships or advertising, it will always be clearly labeled and kept separate from ratings.
Corrections
See something wrong? Email us at hello@queencitysoccerlab.com. We review every correction within 7 days, and clubs can send updated facts like fees, fields and tryout dates anytime.
Updates
Ratings refresh twice a year, before fall and spring tryouts, and as new parent surveys come in. Every profile shows its last update date.
Common questions
- Why doesn’t my club have a rating yet?
- The current workbook requires at least 5 qualifying parent surveys before numerical ratings appear. Until then clubs show as “Not yet rated,” but available preliminary research can still be read. You can help by taking the survey.
- Who can take the parent survey?
- Any parent or guardian with a player at the club in the last 2 years. One survey per family, per club.
- Does a higher rating mean a better club?
- Not necessarily. A club that’s perfect for one family may not fit another. That’s why the Club Finder ranks clubs by your priorities instead of an overall score.
- I work for a club. Can I update our profile?
- You can send us updated facts like fees, fields, and tryout dates. Email hello@queencitysoccerlab.com. Clubs can’t edit or influence their ratings, which come only from our research and parent surveys.
Your experience helps the next family.
Tell us about your club. It takes about 5 minutes.