When I was a child I played soccer, and a lot of it. It was the most inexpensive sport my parents could find that helped keep me active and involved. Today I, like many parents, are on the lookout for cost effective activities to keep my children healthy and active.
Besides the soccer my children play in the summer, hockey has also become a major part of my family’s lifestyle. Both sports offer good physical training, self confidence building and leadership skills; however the enrollment price of each sport differs by a huge margin.
The costs associated with playing soccer for one season can be a few hundred dollars which includes registration, uniform and equipment. Playing time is also about twice a week. This is quite affordable for the average working family. On the flip side the costs associated with playing hockey include expensive equipment, high registration fees, gas money, tournament fees and hotel costs for those tournaments away. When you add it all up the total cost can be anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 per year depending on the level of hockey (competitive or house league). Playing time can range from twice a week to every day of the week. Clearly, more time and money investment is required for hockey.
Then there is fundraising. With every competitive sport fundraising is another source of funding for teams. Players and parents are required to invest more of their time and money in any fundraising event. Any parent who has spend his or her entire day collecting empty bottles in their neighbourhood, or paid $20 to get their car washed knows the efforts required for team fundraising.
What about the families how are struggling financially and cannot afford to enroll their child in sports? Where can they go for help? There are programs like KidSport™ Ontario which provides grant assistance to local children 18 years old or younger who are facing financial barriers preventing them from joining organized sport.
Goodlife Kids Foundation is a Canadian private foundation with a vision for every Canadian kid to have the opportunity to live a fit and healthy good life. Organizations are encouraged to seek funding from this privately funded grant.
A4K Athletics for Kids is a British Columbia based is a privately funded charity that helps BC families bear the expense of having their children participate in organized sports.
Canadian Tire JumpStart is a national charitable program that helps financially disadvantaged kids participate in organized sport and recreation. It can help cover registration, equipment and/or transportation costs.
One in three Canadian families cannot afford to enroll their children in sport or recreation activities. These programs help families bear the costs so every child has a chance to enjoy the benefits from playing a sport or participating in a recreation activity. We must continue to encourage our youth to be as active as possible, to live healthy lifestyles and gain self confidence participating in a sport can provide. They are the future..
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