Sports clubs suffer due to living costs, Covid lockdowns and increased screen time

Family finances are under pressure with kids likely to suffer as parents reconsider paying for sports activities. But there are ways to save and ensure your kids will be the winners in the long run.

The number of kids playing sport is in steady decline as parents across NSW struggle to pay their children’s membership fees.

Rising fuel prices and interest rate hikes have also meant junior clubs across NSW are suffering a decline in participation numbers.

“The rising cost of living is putting a strain on families paying for children’s sport, with the average cost to participate being about $970 per year,” leading child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg says.

“Add to this the price of fuel, grocery, and other living expenses, some families have been forced to reconsider spending money on their children’s organised sport.”

Cricket NSW general manager of community cricket experience, Joanne Scanlon, says multiple events had contributed to the decline.

“Participation numbers in cricket and right across sport have been affected by a number of factors across the last few seasons including the bushfires, floods and, of course, Covid-19,” she says.

Keen runners Marlee (13), Keira (9) and Nate Gill (15) having fun training at Riverstone Little Athletics. Picture: Julian Andrews.

Excessive screen time among children of all ages reduces their active play time which has implications for their health.

“Remote learning, reliance on phones, consoles and laptops and the associated immersion in social media and gaming has increased a sedentary lifestyle which many have struggled to break free from,” Carr-Gregg says.

“Regular exercise has been shown to relieve the stress response and reduce its impact with the secretion of feel-good hormones.

“Active kids are physically and psychologically healthier and perform better in school.”

Sarah Josephsen of Climb Fit says the business saw a drop in visitations.

“A lot of people are feeling the impact of the increase in cost of living, and sometimes sport activities come last in line,” she says.

“Climbing is not just great for strength and flexibility, but it helps with confidence, problem solving skills and so much more.”

Climbing helps kids build strength, flexibility, confidence and helps with problem solving. Picture: Supplied.

Children’s football participation has also decreased post pandemic, forcing Football NSW governing bodies to work together to address the problem.

“Our goal is to better pre-pandemic participation rates and to get there we are investing in new community facilities, increasing participation initiatives, and implementing new leadership and development programs,” David Eland of Northern NSW Football says.

Scanlon says Cricket NSW has set out on an “ambitious plan to double the number of participants in the five to 12-year-old age range over the next three seasons”.

“We have seen a really positive start to this season and part of that is because our volunteers and clubs have been encouraging the use of the Active Kids vouchers,” she says.

Mum-of-three and Riverstone Little Athletics president Cassie Gill says the vouchers offer families financial support to be able to register their children.

Cassie Gill, with daughter Keira, says families can save 60 per cent on their Little Athletics registration fees by using Active Kids vouchers. Picture: Julian Andrews

“When using the voucher, our families save over 60 per cent in registration fees,” she says.

“Sport is pivotal to all children, no matter their age, to participate in. Kids should be encouraged to engage in sport weekly, all-year round.”

Customer Service and Digital Government Minister, Victor Dominello, says the Active Kids vouchers have been hugely popular with families and junior sports clubs across the state.

“Whether your child is a keen cricketer or an avid netball player, now is the time to register them for summer sports using the Active Kids vouchers,” he says.

“We have improved the application and redemption process for parents and providers, with a digital version of the voucher available on the Service NSW app.”

To apply or find a registered activity provider, visit service.nsw.gov.au