There should be a balance with everything, not just with sports.

Its always been like that, both my sons had to find sponsors to support their travel to and from the Australian Institute of sport every school holiday, our PCYC would hold fundraising all year round for all the kids representing WA, and us parents would fit the rest, but hey I was proud to see them enjoying doing the sport they loved and above all representing their State,

All kids should play sport ,Sharyn & Michael join the club their are a lot of family's that their kids shine in the sport, but it is very hard to get sponsorship so keep trying, get your daughter on TV That's Life People. D Ponch.

have no children so no comment

How old is your child? There is grant money available for youth 17yrs and under for travel and other costs. There's also the AUS sports government website that provides certain scholarships and other funding for kids over 17yrs and under. Just google sports grants for individuals in your State. There's also sports vouchers you could qualify for to help pay for some of your child's club fees. Recreation and Parks state organization. Also ask the club your child plays for to auspice you for grants for your child that you can't access as an individual. :) Edited 18-May-22 10:54am

Sound hard, but if you want something pay for it. the gov is not responsible for you or your children unless you are prepared to give up your independance and want to be a slave. get an extra job, etc etc. Nothing worth having is free

Yes, most of us have been through that with our children's sport and no help from the government. Ask the club to help where your daughter plays for.

Not in that situation.

i agree and i think the New zealand government should do the same

Until recently, I was the secretary of our local junior footy club - a position I held for about 20 years. I genuinely believe that team sports are wonderful for kids, I am not so sure about individual sports but obviously any sport is excellent. I like to think that we did a lot more for the kids than just providing them with the opportunity to play footy. Most junior clubs are very well run and they do teach the kids the importance of being a team player. There is normally a wealth of information and support available from the sport's parent body and this is generally directed at the kids' welfare. There are many forms of grants available to clubs from government bodies and other sources which assist in keeping costs low for the families. Even so, not all sports otfer the same value for money that ours did. Soccer is one sport that can be expensive for its participants I understand.

We get two $100 vouchers to put towards a variety of kids sports and a $100 voucher to put towards creative/arty activities from the NSW government (Is this an Australia wide thing or just NSW? I don't know). All four of my kids have played cricket on the weekends as well as playing school sport at school. School sport has minimal costs attached to it (government/Public school), weekend sport is offset with the Sporting kids vouchers. One of my children has been through the NSW academy system/program which did have more costs involved, but we made it work. We have always made sure the kids enjoyed their sport and have never pushed them to play a sport they had no interest in. Also, if they have had opportunities to go further in their sport, we have let them go to trials to play a higher level, etc. Our only rule is that if you join a TEAM sport at the start of the season, you must play the whole season as it is a TEAM sport. If they played individual sports, they'd have the option to drop out throughout the season if they wanted to.

I have a boy who plays soccer and that will get more expensive as he gets older but my daughter is a dancer (need I say more) who is doing multiple classes, showcases, competitions, community and sporting event performances, exams with RAD and doing courses for becoming a dance teacher. It's only my wage so I'm on a tight budget. But I love to see them doing something they love and its a bonus for them being able to follow pathways allowing them to have it as part of their future careers.

Kids being involved in sport I think is it important because they are involved with like minded kids who enjoy the physical and social sides of team play. But the other question is, how many parents also get involved. In my experience an awful lot of parents drop there kids off and go, or the kids have to arrange for their friends parents to do the drop off and pick up. The whole family needs to be involved with some support from local, state and federal funding.

A great number of interesting comments.I could write about this subject forever, having been involved with sports administration for 73 .years. We played sport as a relaxation from our lessons and then our work. We did not need a great deal. we just enjoyed ourselves I have seen so many cases Where children become dissolusioned by being forced to spend long hours by a parent. Enjoy your sport or do something else to occupy your spare time, You only get as much out of life as you put into it.

I have 4 children who are good at many different sports. It does cost us a lot for them to play their sports but it is our choice to let them play and it is up to us to pay for them not the Government.

romac i agree with everything you said. i live in nz and i find that today every body expects the govt to pay for every thing, i think children have all the sporting they want at school and if parents want more for them let them pay for it themselves

When our kids were in Little Aths, and had to buy the Uniform, I ran a raffle, and if the parents sold enough tickets, ie the value of the uniform, it was provided free from the proceeds... All prizes were donated by local groups, and it worked really well. In Scouts, the Jamboree was the place to go, and again, we made up a roster, and any scout who wanted to go, had to assist with odd jobs round the district, they got points for the work done (and it was usually en masse of scouts) and the money was split between everyone according to how many points you had....some complained, as they didnt do the work, but expected the benefits, but soon learned that work equals money.

Growing up in a working class suburb we never had the money to go to any of the camps mentioned in this item. We played on the streets and didn't expect anyone to shell out hard earned wages for kid's games. I guess now we are considered a "rich" country and our birth rates are falling we're trying desperately to "give our kids a good life". Funny my mob always thought we already had it!

Our grandchildren play sport and their parents are only to happy to get them off their devices. The cost can be a bit of an issue but I don't think that the government should have to pay for everything

Why do so many people seem to think that "The Government" should supply them with everything? If people want their children to excel in Sport, which begs the question: "Do the Children want to?" Do the parents bother to ask them or are they simply fulfilling a dream they had for themselves but never achieved? We have the endless demands by Parents for "The Government" - any government will do - to pay for Their children's pre- school, post-school care. Why should the TAXPAYERS - pay for other people's Child Care? If people want to have children then let them bring those children up themselves and if that means No Takeaway Food, just one small car and a small house with only one parent going out to work then so be it. There are plenty of opportunities for children to play sport at no great cost and it seems to us that Parents are determined that their children will become Spoilt Brat Sporting Celebrities and that everyone, including those who Choose not to have children in this already grossly over-populated world, should pay for it. Let children be children and let them come to whatever sport, career etc. in their own good time rather then fulfilling someone else's dreams.

i let our kids have a crack at whatever they want to do,I have so much sporting gear because they change their minds perhaps the gov could introduce a buy-back scheme . not really we swap n use old equipment cause kids change their minds more than their shoes, in other words, you'll find a way if you want to

Why do we always expect the Government to support everything? If you want your children to do certain things then save and give up something else. Thats what we did when our four daughters were growing up. We gave up things so that they could experience what they wanted to do. The Government shouldn't have to pay for our children to play sport.

Its not always up to the government to support

my kids collect lego,its an expensive hobby,maybe the government could fund that as well

If kids want to do sport it is not up to the government to fund them. We did sport when we were younger with no help

Agree with Luna, and Francis R.

There are too many more pressing matters that need our attention. Health, Education, Pensioners, Environment, Defense etc. I think sporting organisations, if they run competitions should approach their local community. Local businesses may be able to help in exchange for advertising, sausage sizzles or bake sales to help raise funds etc. It's tough on the parents wallets but this is a choice that is made. You choose to have children, you choose to put them into sports and the tax payers shouldn't be paying for it.

Not every family is into organized sport. I tired with my kids but they hated it and I wouldn't force them. My daughter was very good at performing arts and loved it. I think the government needs to support ANYTHING that develops kids' natural skills and talents.

As long it is fun - do not let them get too serious too soon

My dad was very good at this. He was president of the little league and he went to all the local businesses and met the owners before he asked them for sponsorships. It worked.

Why should governments sponsor sports? If your kids want to play it that is their decision not the taxpayers. To much focus is given to sport and not other pursuits like stamp collecting or model ship building. Edited 17-May-22 09:40am

It has always been the same. Our kids are adults now but over the years with 3 of them it cost us a fortune. I have no regret about that. Sport has helped them to be the great adults that they are and to this day (except for one who has passed away) they were and are still involved with sport at coaching levels Sport keeps them on the straight and narrow. I am thankful for sport, the other parents involved, many of whom are still great friends.

Government should be looking more at more funding for the elderly and our health system. It is great that children play sport but they can do that within the schooling system without having to pay fees.

it would be wonderful to have some funding for kids in sport as it encourages them to do well in life

Governments should be concentrating on housing and health for the population. Sport is a hobby/interest and like any other hobby/interest (like playing music etc) should be self funded. If the participant becomes so good they are offered a paid contract, I wish them every success.

I think children should into sports evenly the government assist all sports events or not.

Nope to more funding going to state, national and international level sports. Far more people in genuine real need of essential assistance than those wanting money for the higher end of sports. Congratulations to your daughter. That's an amazing effort and I wish her continued enjoyment of her chosen leisure time activity. However I'd rather the government do what they are doing now and that is giving smaller children the opportunity to play sports in their local area for free and then concentrating other funds on helping people find housing, food, employment etc. There are lots of families struggling to fund optional sports for their children, but the cost should definitely be absorbed by the parents, not other taxpayers. I'd rather my money help those in genuine need to stay healthy physically and emotionally. If it is the sport itself she enjoys, then there are plenty of places to join in without the need for travelling overseas or within the country excessively. If she is chasing medals and glory, then you will personally need to decide if you want to fund that. It is not the government's job.

Ok

Okay

It seems to me that the topics is beyond the money. How about a sports trauma? Probably the Government does not want to be blamed for that and pay out billions of dollars. They prefer to leave it in private hands. The word is Pay Outs. Blame can be put up with.

Yes

As a child, I very much wanted to learn to play the piano. My parents explained that they could only afford either lessons or a piano for home to practice on. One was obviously no good without the other. My second choice, marching, was also a no-go because of the cost of the uniform & travelling (of which there was a lot) So I settled for swimming, which I really enjoyed, and then discovered art, which I loved! The moral of this story? If you want to bankrupt the family for the sake of one child's sport, go ahead. But having made that choice, don't bleat about it.

They should be investing more in education as it is shocking how many kids today are unable to read properly or do basic math (including simple arithmetic in their heads).

sorry, no experience on that, can not help

It is expensive to put our kids in anything. As a single mommy I did always qualify for discounted activities through the school. But now she’s 17 and Folklorico is very expensive but I’ll do anything to make sure she can participate.

I don’t have children

There are many grants you can get for kids sport from both Local, State and Federal governments. My question is though, why should the taxpayer fund kids sport? Governments don't have any money, it's taxpayers money.

Most children pay their fees for sporting activities. When they get older the very best may get a sponsorship but you should feel extremely proud of your child and if you had a cake stall. A raffle or do some crafting of cement pots for some plants or have a concert. We used to get about six or seven scouts flying Aouth Island to jamboree, including transport accommodation and food and all the necessary activities by getting about 3 or 4 people together and get a great singer to do a gig and you'll be surprised how easy it is. It can be done free of charge to all parents. Everybody including myself was extremely pleased, we had a great night as a bonus (.the spelling mistake should read South Island )Edited 17-May-22 02:13am

Some assistance should be available for all international teams but kids at international level - bit early don't you think?

Companies and corporations should be funding this sort of thing...it is good for their image....these sports need to be organised by people who know how to run these things, to raise their profiles and raise funds too....its not a job for the taxpayers...sorry Edited 17-May-22 01:10am

I think sports for kids is great but I don't know about spending $1000s. Obviously you feel your daughter has a shot at becoming professional. However, normal everyday kids should be in sports and should try a few at least. It teaches them all sorts of abilities from being a team player, sportsmanship, hand and eye co ordination and much more. I believe if they play team sports there should be scoring and that way they learn about winning and losing and trying to be better. There are plenty of sports that kids play and parents pay a minimal fee for which are funded through the Government, schools, companies etc.I never had any funding for any of my 3 kids but I managed them to play cricket, football (AFL), Rugby, Karate, Basketball, Athletics, and Squash or anything else they wanted to try out. My daughter also did gymnastics and dancing. We cannot keep asking the Government (i.e. taxpayers) to fund our lives. I never got paid a penny for having my kids, I never got parental leave etc. It is or was my responsibility. However, your child if gifted can possibly get funding through the Governments Sports Association or whatever it is called these days. Good luck.

Don't have kids - not my issue. Still, I would prefer more money going into upgrading teachers' salaries (in theory - attracting better candidates (individuals) with the necessarily skills to become teachers)! FYI: Do sports teach kids - sportsmanship - since the emphasis is placed on WINNING?Edited 17-May-22 01:34am

Every family I have ever run across where the child is reasonable at their chosen sport. Though the local competitions are the cheap ones even if they mount up but when you have to go interstate or International things are very expensive then. As for sponsorship that could put them into the realms of Professional and is probably not a good idea depending on how old the child actually is.

No. I think the government needs to put funding into the necessities like housing to alleviate the ever increasing homelessness crisis, and medical care with a huge emphasis on mental health.

yes i think the government should fund more into sports so every kid can play a sport or sports so no one misses out and it would help with the obesity issue and help keep kids active

Sports are a voluntary thing. Must fund yourself.