What it costs for junior sports across the codes
RANKED: TOOWOOMBA’S CHEAPEST AND MOST EXPENSIVE SPORTS FOR OUR JUNIOR PLAYERS REVEALED AS PARTICIPATION RATES RISE
SATURDAY morning sport is a mainstay of Toowoomba life.
Aside from the odd break for school holidays and Christmas/New Year, the Garden City’s sports fields are packed with juniors giving it their all year round.
With Covid restrictions around community sport a thing of the past and despite the rising costs of living, most sports in the Darling Downs have seen an increase in junior player numbers and in some cases those figures are exceeding pre-pandemic numbers.
The Chronicle recently contacted officials from a number of major Toowoomba sports organisations to determine just how much it costs to “get into sport”.
Costs in this list relate to registration only (and are subject to change) – extra costs associated with purchasing equipment are not included.
Hockey
The Toowoomba Hockey Association is the envy of sporting organisations right across the Darling Downs and beyond.
Clyde Park has been the home of THA for more than 40 years.
The decision by clubs to make Clyde Park “home” in 1978 has been a key factor in the sport’s growth and the financial clout and popularity of Club Glenvale also contributes to the sport’s continued success.
Most parents with junior players cite the convenience of regular game times at the one location as a major part of their decision to sign up for hockey, but on average it is also one of Toowoomba’s cheapest junior sports.
Teddy, 5, is the youngest of three Hewett siblings and a keen Red Lion hockey junior.
His mum Sian, signed Teddy up when he expressed an interest in the sport while his siblings trained and played.
“As a hockey player myself, I came here (Clyde Park) as I was intending to play and the kids signed up,” Sian said.
“Teddy wanted to play after watching his siblings, and we signed him for the Mini Sticks program.
“We love the atmosphere here, it’s very family orientated, and then there’s the convenience of having all the games in one place.
“The cost is certainly a factor as well, especially when you have three kids signed up.”
On the field, Teddy loves everything about the game.
Vanessa Denny is another proud member of the Red Lion pride.
The six-year-old was always going to don the red and white with her parents, two brothers, sister, grandmother and two aunties all Red Lion players.
“I love scoring goals and hitting the ball really hard,” she said. “And it (hockey) is good fun because now I get to play with my teammates and some of my friends from school as well.”
Following in his dad’s footsteps Jaxom Gripske is a keen young who likes to think he’s ‘a little’ better than his dad on the field.
“I really enjoy playing with my friends,” he said.
“I love everything about hockey – running, tackling, hitting it the ball really hard – it’s fun.”
Average junior costs: $50$120
Aussie rules
Auskick has played a leading hand in the growth of Aussie rules at the junior level.
The program introduces kids to the game and helps develop the basic skills needed to play it. Toowoomba’s junior competitive seasons start with the under-8 age division and typically run from around Easter to September.
Average junior costs: $120 (under-8/10 divisions) – costs increase in the older age divisions.
Rugby union
Rugby across the Darling Downs and South West Queensland has gone from strength to strength in recent years.
The junior and senior women’s game has experienced massive growth with the Emilee Cherry Cup one of Australia’s largest competitions.
The junior competition features school and club formed teams from Toowoomba, Dalby and Goondiwindi and runs from the end of March to late August.
Average junior costs: On average $140-$210 depending on the club.
Rugby league
Toowoomba Junior Rugby League is enjoying a player boom with 2022 registrations significantly more than last year.
“I’m not sure of the exact percentage but this year’s number are more than last year’s,” TJRL president Dan Aldons.
“Are current players numbers are also higher compared
to the numbers we had before Covid.
“In terms of growth and numbers we’re one of the top performers in the Central Division.”
Like the majority of sporting organisations, the TJRL does not have a set player registration pricing structure.
The majority of fees charged by clubs directly address fees charged by the Queensland Rugby League.
To help address player number growth and development at the junior level, the QRL and NRL provide extensive coaching resources.
“As well as basic coaching accreditation coaches receive through the NRL, there are other resources and programs for our junior coaches,” Aldons said.
Average junior costs: $170$190
Soccer
Featuring teams from Toowoomba, Oakey, Dalby and Gatton, soccer is one of the Darling Downs’ most popular and well supported junior sports codes.
It is also one of the more expensive junior sports, however the majority of the fees charged by clubs are absorbed by Football Queensland fees.
Average junior costs: $200 (fees vary slightly by club and age)