Spend all the money you want as early as you want. For many kids there is no other option. They will fall hopelessly behind if they can't keep up with the skills. Yet there are always kids that can walk in late, pick up a stick and within a year own the game. Good coaches and directors can spot these kids raw athletics a mile away. All the time and money spent is only going to get your kid so far, the rest and most important part of it, she is born with.