The Cost of Sport

For many families, the price tag on sport is too high, registration fees, equipment costs, and travel expenses add up, creating a significant barrier to participation. The 2024 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth and the Jumpstart Canadian Tire State of Play Report provide critical insights into the current landscape of youth physical activity in Canada. Both reports reveal a concerning trend: many kids want to participate in sport, but families simply can not afford to get them in the game. The Lethbridge Sport Council’s number one goal is to give all kids a chance to develop their physical literacy without the costs or commitment, but many don’t realize what resources are available to them. It takes a village to make a change and if you are reading this you have a chance to help spread the word about the options available for sport in Lethbridge.

2024 ParticipACTION Children & Youth Report Card

The ParticipACTION Report Card is an assessment on physical activity in children and youth. It includes data from multiple sources to best inform Canadians about the activity of young people in Canada, focused on finding factors that are limiting kids participation in sport. The report card gives kids a grade based on the Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines depending on their ability to meet the minimum daily requirements in various fields such as daily physical activity, and access to spaces for play.

According to the 2024 ParticipACTION Report:

• 39% of children and youth between the ages of 5 and 17 are meeting the recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day.

• 4% of children meet the requirements for all three core components: physical activity, screen time limits, and proper sleep. There is a lack of awareness about what a healthy balance is for children, making sure you know the 24 hour guidelines is the best way to ensure your child is maintaining them.

• Children from lowest-income households are 10% more likely to accumulate more than 2 hours of unstructured play each day. These kids want to participate in sport but structured sport is too financially demanding. Although unstructured play encourages creativity and physical activity it lacks the building of skill that leads to long-term physical literacy.

• 46% of children five to 11 years of age in the lowest-income households met the physical activity recommendation, compared to 57% of children in the highest-income households.

• 86% of parents from the highest-income households reported that their children participated in organized sports within the last year, compared to only 55% of parents from the lowest-income households, that’s over a 30% discrepancy.

• 49% of children and youth from low-income households, compared to 56% of children from high-income households, met the sedentary behaviour benchmark. That means the inability to afford organized sports increases a child's screen time which can lead to an attention deficit in later years.

For many families, finding affordable and inclusive spaces for their children to be active does not seem like an option. Registration fees, and equipment are two aspects of sport that are becoming less affordable, further limiting the amount of kids that can participate in sport.

The Jumpstart State of Play

The Jumpstart Canadian Tire State of Play Report is the results from surveys and enrollment data that's goal is to document preferences of youth in sport, participation levels, and what kind of kids are playing sports. The report identifies trends found in the data to make sure all kids can experience the benefits of sport and play. Surveys are taken from Jumpstart enrollment data, provided through the survey registration process.

According to the 2023 Jumpstart Report:

• 44% of parents say they cannot afford to register their children in organized sports.

• 58% of parents say recreational fees are on the rise.

• 81% of sport programmers say their operational costs have increased.

These statistics were not included in the 2024 report however they provide essential context that reinforces a growing trend.

In 2024, Jumpstart continues to show that affordability is a major barrier:

• Out of those that are asked why they do not play sports 47% had “sports are too expensive” in their top three reasons.

• Elementary school kids are 8% more likely to report that sports are too expensive than high school kids.

• 100% of youth that took the survey documented they wanted to try to play another sport, most documented they wanted to try more than one. Hockey 20% martial arts 23% but for many kids playing more than one sport is not an option due to registration fees and high equipment prices.

Lethbridge Sport Council Initiatives

Recognizing the impact that cost has on access to sport, the Lethbridge Sport Council has developed several programs and initiatives to help reduce financial barriers and open the door to sport for all.

Equipment Distribution Center

The Lethbridge Sport Council has been working towards the Equipment Distribution Center for nearly six years; Modeled after the Calgary Flames Sports Bank, the LSC will be able to provide kids, young adults and families with free sports equipment. In partnership with community stakeholders and local sport organizations the Lethbridge Sport Equipment Distribution Center aims to increase access to sport by reducing financial barriers associated with equipment costs.

In 2024, 2,400 youth and young adults in Southern Alberta benefited from registration subsidies for sports, yet only 63 individuals received equipment through a sport bank. This highlights a significant gap in access to necessary resources. The center will offer a range of new and gently used sports equipment for all sports and age groups, ensuring everyone, regardless of financial background, has the opportunity to get involved.

Visit the Lethbridge Sport Equipment Distribution Center webpage here:

https://lethbridgesportcouncil.ca/equipment-distribution-centre

Give It a Try

As registration fees rise, many families hesitate to commit their child to a sport they want to try, knowing there is a risk it might not be the right fit. Give It a Try offers the community an opportunity to explore new sports without the pressure or financial commitment. The Lethbridge Sport Council partners with local organizations to host these events, open to everyone, free of charge, and with all the necessary equipment and beginner-level instruction provided. Families can also connect with the organization to learn about registration options and learn how to get involved long-term. Give It a try is the first step toward getting active, without the commitment or stress of upfront costs.

Give It a try is advertised on the Lethbridge Sport Council instagram (@lethbridgesport) or you can go to the Give It a Try page on the Lethbridge Sport Council website to join the email list to be notified of all future Give It a Try events: https://lethbridgesportcouncil.ca/programs/give-it-a-try

SportFest

SportFest is a way for families or people of all ages to try out new sports and connect with sport organizations. This one-day event features exhibitors from local organizations showcasing the programs and services they offer. Families can learn about other resources available to them, meet with coaches and program leaders, and try hands-on sport activities in a fun, supportive environment. SportFest helps remove barriers to entry and encourages community members to live active, healthy lifestyles by discovering the wide variety of sports and recreational opportunities available in Lethbridge.

In 2024, The Lethbridge Sport Council introduced a feature called Calm Before the Fest. It runs from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., before SportFest is open to the community. It is designed for those that aren't as comfortable in loud or crowded areas and allows them to try out the events and activities without long wait times, bright lights, or other variables that could keep them from participating.

Sportfest is being held on June 7th at the Servus Sports Centre from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and Calm Before the Fest is from 9:00 to 10:00 am.

To find out which organizations will be there check out the SportFest web page: https://lethbridgesportcouncil.ca/events/sportfest

How You Can Help

The Sport Volunteer Hub - The Sport Volunteer Hub connects sport organizations with willing volunteers for their events. The Hub is a community-based platform created by the Lethbridge Sport Council to connect volunteers with local sport organizations, designed to make it easier for people or groups to find opportunities to give back to the community. Roles can range from coaching and officiating to event setup, scorekeeping, and administrative support. The Hub includes volunteer opportunities with both the Lethbridge Sport Council and other local organizations. Whether you are experienced in sport or just interested in getting involved, the Sport Volunteer Hub is a great way to find opportunities to volunteer in your community.

You can explore available opportunities here: https://sportvolunteerhub.ca/

Charitable Giving Platform - Through our Giving Group on Charitable Impact, individuals and businesses can contribute directly to local initiatives that reduce financial barriers to sport. Donations help fund programs like registration subsidies, public events and community wide outreach. Whether it is a one-time gift or a monthly contribution, donations have a tangible impact and because the Lethbridge Sport Council is a registered charitable organization, all donations are eligible for a tax receipt.

We invite you to consider making a donation to support the ongoing work of the Lethbridge Sport Council. Tax receipts will be provided. Here is the link: https://my.charitableimpact.com/groups/lethbridge-sport-council

By developing and supporting programs, events, and services that directly address financial barriers the Lethbridge Sport Council hopes to help bridge the gap in sport. Initiatives like the Equipment Distribution Centre, Give It a Try, and SportFest offer children and families new pathways into sport so everyone can participate and benefit from these events. The success of these initiatives relies on the community, whether you are a parent, coach, volunteer, or supporter, there are many ways to get involved. From signing up on the Sport Volunteer Hub, to donating through our Charitable Giving Platform, or simply spreading the word, this support helps ensure every child has the chance to grow through sport.