Success is much more than how many championships you win, and winning isn't everything. But winning is more fun than losing, and playing for a winning program is much more enjoyable than playing for a losing one.

Look at the club's RECENT track record. A club aspiring to success is no substitute for one that is achieving it now. Neither is a club touting past successes. Also, make sure the successes you hear about really apply to your child: a club may be very successful with their girls teams, for example, while not having nearly that level of success with their boys teams.