Every Chance helps support families so that the cost of sport doesn’t get in the way of participation. Photo: Supplied.
With families across Canberra struggling to cope with the cost of living, many can’t afford to put their kids into sport. Thankfully, the Canberra charity ‘Every Chance’ has reemerged to provide a solution, assisting needy families struggling to pay registration fees for kids’ sports.
Every Chance was started in 2017 by Marist College teachers Matt Topham and Grant Barclay.
Matt Topham says with people struggling throughout the city, the demand was simply too great to ignore.
“We had a soft return in the winter sports this year and ended up supporting 100 kids across a range of sports through paying registration fees. On average, the fees are around $190 a season. Some are much higher. Some clubs are good at keeping costs down, others aren’t,” Matt says.
Families are referred to Every Chance by trusted referrers who are involved in community activities and sport in Canberra.
YWCA Canberra network coordinator David Wild is one of the trusted referrers on the front line dealing with issues faced by families with cost-of-living stress.
“A lot of families are struggling. We are seeing more families access our food hub, and if they are struggling to pay for food, they are also having issues paying for registration fees for kids’ sport. In the last couple of weeks, I have put half a dozen families in touch with Every Chance to help with registration fees,” David explains.
Feedback from the last winter season provides insight into the importance of reviving this support. Here is one such testimonial from a parent: “Without Every Chance, my son wouldn’t have been able to play. We couldn’t cover the fees on our own, but the program made it possible. He’s not only fitter but has made great friends, and we have seen his confidence grow every week.”
And there is this testimonial provided on behalf of a sports club: “There’s a boy in our team who joined through Every Chance. He came to his first practice really unsure of himself. By mid-season, he was fitter and more skilled and a big part of the team. Watching him interact with his teammates and gain confidence has been incredible to witness.”
Out of the 100 kids who received support from Every Chance over the past winter, 60 per cent were male and 40 per cent were female.
One of the issues faced by Every Chance has been funding. Thankfully, the ACT Government has provided the charity with $75,000 over the next three years, but as demand continues to grow, more funding from the broader corporate community will be required.
Another issue faced by Every Chance has been a lack of awareness of the charity and the support that it provides.
To that end, Every Chance, in partnership with Abilities Unlimited Australia and Kulture Break, is holding an Empowering All Abilities Day on 8 December, from 10 am to 2 pm, at the Evatt Primary School.
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