Which junior winter sport is the most affordable for you? See our fees guide for the upcoming season

THE winter sport season is about to start. But which junior sport is the most affordable? See our guide for the upcoming season.

Aussie rules seems to be the most affordable junior sport. Picture: Peter Cronin

WHICH sport is the most affordable for your child?

We have broken down the costs of major winter sports for 2017, comparing registration fees from several Brisbane clubs in the southeast to find the cheapest and most expensive sports to sign up for.

Not only have we looked at the upfront cost to get started this season, we have also compared value for money, comparing the cost spread out of the weeks of the season.

The prices do not include any extras clubs may charge on top of registration fees, including uniforms, game fees and more.

UPFRONT REGISTRATION COSTS (AVERAGE):

Aussie rules: $195

Rugby league: $235

Netball: $269

Rugby union: $274

Hockey: $314

Football (soccer): $415

COST PER WEEK OF THE SEASON (AVERAGE):

Aussie rules: $10.65

Rugby league: $11.25

Rugby union: $13.45

Netball: $14.90

Hockey: $15.70

Soccer: $18.85

The most costly on both lists was soccer, while Australian rules was the most affordable.

Football Queensland chief executive Geoff Foster said soccer was priced accordingly because other codes gained finances from broadcast agreements.

This then flowed through to benefit at junior levels.

He said a new broadcast deal would mean prices could become more competitive in future for soccer.

Mt Gravatt AFL Vultures under-8s registration is free. Harrison and Alastair Bennett from the Vultures. Picture: Renae Droop

Australian rules was the most affordable code across all junior ages with AFL Queensland capping under-8s registration at $100 a contributing factor.

Some clubs even made under-8s registration even cheaper with the Mt Gravatt Vultures charging nothing for that age group.

Tricia Kallis, whose son Oscar plays for the Carindale Cougars Junior Australian Football Club, said the price definitely came into play when choosing a sport.

“When Oscar chose to play AFL, we felt pretty positive about it because (the cost) wasn’t that much, so it meant it also wasn’t that big of a commitment,” she said.

Mollie Wolf and Darcy Jennings from the Yeronga AFL club. Picture: Renae Droop

Tim Wolf has two children, Mollie and Angus, playing Aussie rules at Yeronga, and said price played a role when signing his children up to play the sport.

“A couple of years ago, we had the kids try multiple sports and the programs for AFL were incredible and then when we looked at prices to sign up, it was easily the cheapest,” he said.

“I’ve never played Aussie rules and to be honest I never watch it on TV either but the kids love it. If you have multiple kids playing sport, it can add up. So a good price can mean a lot to a family over time.”

Rugby league, rugby union and netball sat in the middle of both tables, followed by hocked in both comparison — the upfront registration fees, and the cost spread out over the amount of weeks in a season.

Lady Bugs netball player Blake Ryan and Wynnum rugby Bug player Latham Ryan. Picture: Elise Searson

Toni Ryan, whose son Latham played rugby union and daughter Blake played netball at Wynnum Bugs, said parents needed to consider the effort the clubs put in when looking at the price of junior sports.

“Junior sports clubs put in an incredible effort to help the kids, so I have no problem paying for that,” she said.

“I just think parents sometimes complain a bit about the price of junior sport because it’s right after the Christmas and New Year period, as well as the start of school, and it’s kind of the last straw.”

PAYMENT PLANS MAY HELP FAMILIES

PROFESSOR Ian Patterson has called for community clubs to make sport more affordable.

A sport and leisure expert formerly of the University of Queensland, Dr Patterson (pictured) said sport had many benefits for children.

“It’s great for their health and to keep the risk of obesity low but it also allows them to learn how to socialise,” Dr Patterson said.

“Sport is a very important part of childhood, as long as it’s in a good environment and not forced on them.”

He would like to see more clubs offer payment plans and other arrangements for families who cannot afford registration fees.

“Obviously over time, the price of junior sport has risen but we need to be cautious that it doesn’t continue to rise to an unreasonable price,” Dr Patterson said.

“People always complain about kids sitting at home playing video games and that sort of thing but we risk that happening even more if the price continues to rise.

“I hope clubs have a lot of options available for families, who may struggle with the registration. Things like payment plans and even scholarship or sponsorship programs so that a child can participate in sport can have a big impact later on in their life.”