Because some trainers earn thousands, parents want to see a return on their investment.

The growth of select soccer has created a demand for good coaches, some of whom are reportedly paid thousands of dollars for their expertise.

Some parents and sport officials say these coaches are worth the pay because they're essential to developing better-skilled players in the increasingly competitive world of select. Others say paid coaches, sometimes called trainers, can face more pressure to win and greater demands from parents.

"It's an investment and parents expect a return,'' said Dave Simeone, a U.S. national team coaching instructor and director of coaching for the highly-competitive North Texas Soccer Association. "If I'm paying (a lot of money) for a coach, I want to know why my kid's not on the field or why he is not being recruited by Notre Dame."

Local clubs such as Soccer Centerville, Centerville Galaxies, Team Dayton and the Huber Heights Warrior Club typically employ trainers or coaching directors as their soccer experts, while parent volunteers run the team. These trainers and directors - usually college coaches or former professional players - float from team to team, practice to practice, teaching kids the skills they need to compete at a select level.

Trainers can earn between $50 and $100 a session, while coaching directors usually command a salary. Local clubs would not say what they pay their directors but those with knowledge of the job estimate it's a couple thousand dollars - with a few notable exceptions.

Galaxies coaching director Brian Kohen earns his living from soccer - he is also the soccer assistant at Wright State - as does Team Dayton club director Ryan Baker. Both declined to say how much they make from these jobs but said their duties are year-round.

Baker said he pays about half of Team Dayton's coaches between $1,500 and $2,000 each per season. He said that's peanuts compared to coaches in other cities, such as Dallas, Cleveland and Columbus, who can earn five, 10, even 20 times that.

"We don't have anybody who is getting rich off this program,'' he said.

Still, not everyone advocates paid coaches or administrators. Soccer Centerville only recently hired coaching directors for its boys' and girls' teams, considering it the price to pay to stay competitive. Club vice president Jack Lohbeck, however, thinks select programs should be run mostly by volunteers.

"I think it's bad business when somebody's livelihood depends on youth sports,'' he said. "Then the decisions hinge upon the person's financial gain instead of on the kids development and well-being.''

CONTACT: Susan Vinella at susan_vinella@coxohio.com