Tuesday, March 20

The Price To Play

I have previously mentioned that this year my husband and I decided that we would all play the same sport.  We thought that the idea of the whole family being involved in one club would allow for some great family bonding time.

Since hubs and Miss L both played hockey last year, it only made sense for Miss Z and I to join in this year.  Many moons ago I once played hockey and just between you and me I fancied myself a little.  In fact I am sure the reason why some of those girls weren't nice to me was because they were jealous of my natural skills...

Moving along.

Finally the sign up weekend arrives.  Despite the tiny little demons that keep telling me it is easier to just not play I am adamant that I will not give into my fears.  I will get out there and interact with people unknown, and who knows possibly even make some of them become known.  At least that is what I think till I see the sign up fee.  For two adults and two children to play a season of hockey I needed to pay just over one thousand dollars.  Yep you read right $1000.

Crazy hey?

And that is before uniforms, sticks, and shin pads.  Here let me just find another five hundred.  Did I mention this is after Miss L has also played a season of basket ball which comes in at about $15 per week after a $70 registration fee and $30 club fee.

Before I get too carried away with grumbling about how broke playing sport is about to send me, I must say we did not walk away empty handed.  The kids both got a simple back pack sponsored by the evil golden arches and made in some underdeveloped country for probably about 50 cents.  It was accompanied by a probably toxic water holder, also sponsored by said evil big company and a T-shirt that was not sponsored by anyone other than the sport of hockey.  It will be good for them to train in if nothing else.

It really saddens me to think that it is so expensive to play sport these days.  As it is we are becoming a society plagued by the perils of obesity and yet only the well off are able to afford to play organised sport.  If by chance you are talented or good at your sport and wish to go further in your chosen sport then prices just soar even more.

Looking back on my own childhood I was fortunate in that I got to try a great number of extra curricula activities.  So did my brother.  My sister however not so much and I can't help but wonder if the cost of it all was a factor in my sister missing out.  I had never really understood how people would say that children were expensive till I had to get two of them sorted for school.  Trying to get two of them sorted for sport made me realise the same as well.  I shudder to think what it will be like by the time I have to do it for three.

So needless to say I am not playing hockey this year.  Which I am kind of sad about but also a little relieved.  There is always next year.  Which may actually work out better because by then I will be fit. As opposed to now where I am only still trying to get fit.

Rather than setting an example of a healthy lifestyle choice of playing organised sport I will show the girls that it is possible to be fit and active without joining a club or being part of a team.  I have slowly been plodding away with my Ease Into 5km app on my phone and can already feel myself getting stronger.  I have a bootcamp app that I need to start soon as well.  I know that these little changes and bursts of energy are just as important at role modeling good behaviours as playing organised sport is.

When I originally thought about this post I had planned to link it up with the lovely Nicole over at
She has this awesome Youth Sport Linky going on.  Only since this isn't exactly the most positive side of youth sport I am not sure I should.

However it is Tuesday and I have blogged to it is definitely going to link up with my dear friends Jess over at

15 comments:

  1. WHAT! a grand to just join a hockey team? That is incredible, and sad. Good on you though for not givign up and for being so determined to be a positive influence (minus the lighter bank balance!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep fortune whole family to play it woul have been over a grand. The kids and hubs will still play which brings it down to just over 600 hubs has all the stuff from last year so it made sense for him to still play

      Delete
  2. I think you should link it Rhi, definitely!! I didn't want my Youth Sports weekend meme just to concentrate on the conformity of team sports.

    You make some very good points here...the price of team sport does often exclude lots of kids. Also, there is more to sport than organised clubs and team sports.

    Your post is great food for thought and I'd love to have it as part of Youth Sports Weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. $1,000 just for a season!?? Woooahhh that's expensive! Like SportyMummy says it can be rather exclusive then. But it will be a good bonding time for your family. Since u have already paid, don't think so much about it and enjoy!! :)

    Ai @ Sakura Haruka

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow. I'm sure it was never that expensive when I was a kid. Then again... I wasn't the one paying, I suppose. A grand, though. That does seem fairly steep!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I also don't understand.. in a country surrounded by water.. why swimming lessons are so damn expensive! It's all a tad ridiculous! I can't fathom how/why is costs $1000 to play hockey?? gah, really bugs me. It's a knock on effect surely? unhealthy people therefore push further the health system.

    Mmm. I think I am narkier about this than I realised!! Great post.

    .

    ReplyDelete
  6. I agreed let my Little Man play soccer this year. I did not think of cost $200 to register, then a ball, socks, shorts, shin pads and boots! Of course all in addition to his swimming fees that we are expected to pay up front 6-8 wks before the term starts to "keep our place". I also have the same again in fees for the Munchkin in swimming and his gym fees. No wonder people by a wii and let their kids stay inside.

    ReplyDelete
  7. We had planned to go to the sign up day, unused we thought it would be good for Bridie to get involved in something like hockey, but I'm glad we missed it now!

    I think we will justdo auskick again this year. ITs aout $70 a kid and comes with the bag, footy and other bits

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wowsers!!
    Thats expensive.
    It's not fair that sporting groups charge so much.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow that's crazy! Dance classes can get quite expensive and having our 4 children in swimming classes takes quite a hit too (although we see that one as a necessity). They just spent over an hour this afternoon riding their bikes with the neighborhood kids... Who's to say that doesn't hold many (though not all) of the same benefits? You raise some great points in this post.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wowee! That it unbelievable!
    On a positive note I think that your original idea to join a club together as a family is a great one. xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's great that you are still going to get out and move. Sports are so expensive. Running is free. I can barely walk today because my calves are stiff from my last few days of running. Rachel

    www.redcliffestyle.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I can relate, I'm currently feeling the sting of tennis and piano lessons. Who knew it was so expensive?!
    You are doing a great job setting a healthy example by the sounds of it, well done!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh my goodness, Rhi! $1000 is outrageous!

    ReplyDelete

Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses to you, thanks for stopping by, it really means a lot, you taking the time so say hi. I try as much as I can to write a reply but if for some chance I don't get to it please know that I always read them.