How to put your kids through sports without breaking the bank

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. 

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?'"