HIGH PRICE TO PAY TO PLAY FOR SPORTING FAMILIES
ELIJAH and Summer-Roze Darke are in their second year of playing junior rugby league with Burleigh Bears but the high cost of playing could force them to take up a cheaper sport.
Mother Jackie Darke said the family is spending more than $500 a season on rugby league.
“It is very pricey,” she said. “For our 12-year-old it’s $245 and $295 for children over 12 (Summer-Roze is 16) – that includes uniforms, a trophy and insurance.
“Basically the amount of stuff that our kids do, we make sacrifice out of our pockets, especially around this time of year – we’ve got sign-ups coming up.”
Her two are also excelling in athletics, Mrs Darke said, puting more strain on the finances.
“The kids are going to state (titles) and it’s $3500 to get to Townsville,” she said.
Mrs Darke is calling for change.
“There’s the Get Started vouchers, but it’s no help for those who do multiple sports during the year as you can only have it for one sport,’’ she said.
“And $120 doesn’t go far as a subsidy.
“More coverage, or a dropping of fees to make it across the board for all sports ... they should be able to have the same amount for the sports.”
Without a reduction of fees or other assistance, Mrs Darke said the family might have to say goodbye to football.
“If it came to it, we’d look for a different option – another club at a different price, or a different sport,” she said.
For Anna Batterby Rosenfeldt, the Get Started voucher was the only reason her child could play rugby league.
“The under-13 registration is $295 and the Get Started voucher is $150, so it helps a lot,” she said.
“It’s terribly expensive, especially as I’m a single mum.”