The town programs are doing what they are intended to do. They are offering a program for ALL of their youth to participate. Beyond that,for those who want to participate above and beyond their town teams, are programs such as the Yellow Jackets. Keep in mind that there are many 6th grade girls who are as good or better than those who currently play in these "elite" programs. They may be either multi-sport athletes, not ready to travel to 5 or 6 tournaments, or may not want to make the $3000 commitment yet.
This is not about who is "sticking up for the better athletes".
The better athletes have plenty of opportunities to participate with and against "worthy" competition during the summer tournament season.. This is about coaches doing the right thing by all of the girls on the team, not just their own. This was a tournament that the Mt. Sinai team could have and should have participated in. Shame on the coaches for being so selfish as to deny those girls this opportunity and shame on any other coaches who may have chosen to do so as well.