The Cost of Keeping Kids in Sport: A Reality Check for Families and Organisations

The recent study commissioned by the Australian Sports Commission has shed light on a pressing concern for many families: the skyrocketing cost of keeping kids involved in community sport. The average annual total cost per child is $4,567, extending far beyond registration fees or equipment costs.

Aaron Harmsworth from Rockhampton shares his story of juggling multiple sporting commitments for three children, traveling extensively to competitions, and making sacrifices in other areas of life. “There’s no price tag on what the kids learn through sport,” he says, highlighting the value that community sports bring to young people’s development.

Researchers have broken down the average annual expenses for children playing community sports: coaching fees ($1,400), lost parental income due to travel and sporting commitments ($1,000), accommodation fees ($700), and travel costs themselves ($500). These costs can quickly add up, especially for families like the Harmsworths who frequently take their caravan on the road to save money.

Regional children face higher travel and accommodation costs compared to metropolitan areas, while metropolitan families pay more for coaching and registration fees. Individual sports prove more expensive than team sports, with entry-level participation being significantly cheaper overall.

Dr. Danya Hodgetts from CQUniversity notes that many regional parents already knew the true costs of getting their children involved in sport extended far beyond registration fees. “It’s a tricky situation because it is important to acknowledge both the cost and value of sport,” she says.

Organisations and sporting clubs are starting to address the issue by repurposing equipment and uniforms, supporting state government voucher programs that can reduce costs by up to $200 per child in Queensland, and implementing more cost-effective travel arrangements. However, this is just a start.

A concerted effort from all stakeholders – families, sporting clubs, governments, and organisations – is needed to acknowledge the true cost of keeping kids in sport and find solutions that make it more accessible for everyone. This might involve providing financial support or subsidies for low-income families, rethinking the way we structure our sports programs, or making travel arrangements more affordable.

Community sport offers a range of benefits from social connectedness to life skills and physical health. As Professor Rochelle Eime notes, “The value of community sport is so great for our children in terms of their youth development and social connectedness.” It’s time for us to work together to ensure that this valuable resource remains within reach for all families, regardless of income or location.

As we grapple with the costs and benefits of community sport, there’s a pressing question on the horizon: what will be the impact on participation levels in years to come? Will we see a decline in numbers as families struggle to keep up with rising expenses? The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: it’s time for action, not just words.