B.C. children’s program sees spike in demand as parents try to keep kids in sports

At a time when many people are trying to save money, extra-curricular activities are sometimes the first to go in family budgeting.

New numbers from KidSport BC show demand is on the rise for financial assistance as parents try to keep their young ones in organized sports. The ask for help is happening all around the province, from Abbotsford to New Westminster, the Tri-Cities to Vancouver, and beyond.

Across B.C., the organization says it’s seeing about a 30 per cent increase in the need for help.

KidSport BC Operations Manager Katelynn Ramage grew up in a low-income household and benefitted from the group’s funding to continue on in track and field.

“Sport for me was something that was never really thought about until I got a little bit older and didn’t know how I could participate like my peers. It was a family that was part of my high school track and field team that suggested, ‘If you want to continue on in track and field, there is a program that can help make this all possible,'” she recalled.

Ramage, who has represented Team Canada, says it wasn’t until she was 16 that she was able to compete in community organized sports.

“It was a lot later in life, but I am so grateful for those opportunities. I’ve been so fortunate to get to compete for Team Canada and Team BC and go to university to compete athletically and now going full circle with KidSport and being on the other side of things and getting to share that experience with families,” she explained.

Ramage adds the applications the organization receives — some of which are kept anonymous — can be heartbreaking.

“There are definitely some families going through some really, really tough times, whether they’re new to Canada, refugee families, families who have lost jobs, families who have lost loved ones — it’s been a difficult year for a lot of families,” she said.

She says, last year, KidSport BC handed out more than $1.7 million in 180 communities around the province to support more than 5,000 kids, but they’re realizing that’s no longer enough.

“The whole thing with inflation, it’s not just us feeling it or the families feeling it, it really is the sports club. They have increased insurance costs, it costs more for them to rent ice time or pitch time.”

During a calendar year, Ramage says each child who is approved will get, on average, $400. She admits it’s not enough to bridge the gap for some sports that are expensive to play, like hockey.

The group does receive some government funding but also relies heavily on private donors or other community members to keep coffers full.

If you’re interested in applying for help, click here.