River Allum will be away from home when he plays in Kuala Lumpur later this year.
The 13-year-old from Geraldton, 420 kilometers north of Perth, is honing his skills on the football field, while his parents sacrifice to save the $3,630 needed for travel, tournament fees and equipment.
His mother, Rachell Allum, said she has already spent about $1,700 on her son’s soccer-related expenses this year.
She said the rising cost of living made it harder to afford.
Ms. Allum says she and her husband are making sacrifices and saving money. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Chloé Henville)
Australian government data showed that 6.3 percent of children surveyed could not afford to play sport or pay associated travel costs, as recently as last year.
Ms Allum said her family was budgeting strictly for the trip to Kuala Lumpur because River was not eligible for any grants she could find.
She said living in regional WA had also multiplied the cost of participating in the sport over the years, as River often traveled to Perth for competitions such as Country Week.
“We have to miss some things ourselves, but we would not deny him this chance as much as possible,” he added.
» said Ms. Allum.
River says he is grateful for his parents’ continued support. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Chloé Henville)
“We have to find housing for ourselves, not to mention gas… gas prices are ridiculous.”
But she said the price was worth it to see River excel in a sport he loved.
“Every annual fee is expensive, and it’s growing – you know, new boots, new uniforms, new everything – but we’re very, very proud of River,” Ms. Allum said.
Understanding sacrifice
The high school student says he is aware of the financial difficulties.
“I feel a little bad about all these costs,” River said.
River has been playing soccer since he was six years old. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Chloé Henville)
He said the sport helped him overcome emotions such as sadness and anger.
“I can just go to football and wipe it off my head, and it makes me a lot happier again,” River said.
The teenager said everyone should have access to sport as an outlet, regardless of their financial situation.
It’s a perspective shared by Rochelle Eime, a sports science professor at Federation University.
She led a national study in collaboration with the Australian Sports Commission.
The study, which has not yet been made public, finds that fees are a growing barrier to participation in club sports.
Rochelle Eime conducted a study into the cost of sport in Australia. (Provided: Rochelle Eime)
“Cost has always been an issue, but it is more so now with the cost of living increasing,” Professor Eime said.
“Participation is much lower in areas of lower socio-economic status.“
Critical missed opportunity
Professor Eime said low participation had huge implications for fitness, mental health and social connections, particularly for young people.
“Without these opportunities to play sports, they lose a lot of life skills,” she said.
Professor Eime said while sport often forms the “social fabric” in regional communities, participants can incur higher costs than their metropolitan area peers, something the Ballarat woman knows well.
Professor Eime says sport is important for social bonding in small towns. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Chloé Henville )
She said her 18-year-old son, Jay, was traveling to China to play in a tennis tournament, but even local travel took its toll.
“He makes the hour-and-a-half drive to practice several times a week… now that he knows how to drive, it saves me,” Professor Eime said.
Besides the cost of fuel, she pointed out other travel costs, including overnight accommodation to participate in metro competitions.
Professor Eime said geographical barriers and costs could limit the sporting potential of some talented regional players.
