How to put your kids through sports without breaking the bank | CBC Radio

Randy Puder’s daughter started playing soccer, he says, before she could walk. But over the years, the cost has gone up as she got into competitive leagues. 

“Two years ago, it started to escalate quite quickly,” he said.

Puder, who lives in Vancouver, says he pays about $6,000 a year to keep his daughter, who is now 13, on the pitch. He’s one of many parents making sacrifices and tough choices to be able to afford to put their children in sports.

About 67 per cent of Canadian kids between the ages of three and 17 take part in some sort of sport or activity, according to the Canadian Youth Sports Report by Solutions Research Group Consultants Inc., which interviewed about 3,000 Canadian families in early 2023.

The group estimates that over four million Canadian children and youths participate in organized sports. In the same survey, 58 per cent of parents interviewed described facing financial challenges to keep their kids in the game.

Financial coach Anita Bruinsma told Just Asking host Saroja Coelho that some competitive sports can cost around $5,000, and up to $10,000 for more expensive sports like hockey, when factoring in registration fees and gear. 

Other expensive sports include dance, cheerleading and football. Travelling to events and games can add yet more expenses, no matter what sport your kid plays. 

Getting kids started in sports

Bruinsma says one of the first steps is figuring out which sport or sports your kid likes before you start paying for competitive leagues.

Families can start out with free and low-cost options, she says. City-run and community leagues often provide options to play many sports at a reduced rate. You can also get your kids started with school-based teams.  

“School sports are essentially free. There may be a small fee of say $50 for the uniform or a bit of travel, but it’s a great opportunity for kids to try out different sports,” she said.

Bruinsma also suggests parents get active with their kids, whether that’s shooting hoops in the driveway or throwing a frisbee in the park. 

“You don’t have to be super athletic to take your three-year-old to the park and kick around a soccer ball,” she said.

But, she says, talk with your kids about the costs if their aspirations become more serious, or even competitive.

“When they get to a higher level, usually you get to a point where the costs take a big jump, and that’s where you really need to sit down with your kid and say, ‘This is how much it’s costing every year. How badly do you really want to do this?'”

WATCH | Kids’ sports get cut as cost of living rises: 

Kids’ sports get cut as cost of living rises

Some families have stopped putting their children in sports programs or are finding ways to reduce other expenses as the cost of sports increases.

Are costs rising?

Sports were a big part of his childhood for Ottawa’s Andries Selst. Every other weekend he was at a hockey tournament, he told Coelho.

But he’s not sure if he will be able to give his future children that same opportunity. 

“Preparing for having kids myself now, and trying to buy a house and trying to financially plan for the future … it’s very hard to be able to picture myself putting my kids through sports like I [did],” said Selst. 

Bruinsma says says registration fees to participate in leagues have risen over time. But besides that barrier, the cost for equipment — and the expectation to get the best, or most expensive gear — have also gone way up.

“I see this with my son who plays baseball. The kids come to the games not with one bat, but three bats, because they’re all different weights and they’re made out of different things,” Bruinsma said.

On top of that, children are getting into competitive sports sooner. 

“Part of that is because if you wait too long to put your kids in a competitive hockey program, by the time they’re 12 or 13, they’re way behind,” said Bruinsma. 

Keeping the cost down

Those already-high costs become even tougher for parents who have multiple children in sports. Jen Chaisson in Strathmore, Alta., has six kids and all of them play multiple sports.  

“Our kids play in a pond hockey league in the winter, and they like to play competitive soccer in the summer. The competitive soccer also comes with travel, which can be a burden for a large family, despite its importance,” said Chaisson.

Bruinsma says that parents can look at their other forms of discretionary spending, such as eating out at restaurants, going to the movies and other expenses that you could give up. 

People can also save on equipment by purchasing gear second hand, or joining a neighbourhood community and sharing among friends. 

She says a good way to make room in the budget for sports could be to cut down on vacations.

“When your kids are in a competitive sport, you’re probably doing some traveling anyway … to different towns, spending time in hotels. So you might kind of see that as your quasi-vacation for the year,” said Bruinsma. 

She also suggested carpooling or taking turns driving with other parents for weekend tournaments. You can also bring your own cooler full of food to cut down on eating out while on the road. 

Puder says he’s had to make sacrifices. But he says it’s worth it, to see his daughter playing a sport she loves.

“I’d rather be standing on the soccer field watching my kid train or play a game of soccer, than go to a movie or go to a nice dinner or go for drinks with my buddies,” said Puder.

“As long as she goes to soccer with a smile on her face and leaves with a smile on her face, I’m happy. And she always has.”