Kicking Goals and Scoring Points Without Hip Pocket Pain

But with all expenses under the microscope during the cost-of-living crisis, sadly the reality can mean that sign-up fees for junior sport are often the first expense to be sacrificed in order to cover other bills.

Fortunately, NSW clubs are helping to keep local sport affordable for families, with several recognised for their efforts as finalists in the 2025 Club & Community Awards, with the winners announced in June.

To achieve this affordability goal, Wests Illawarra (in the Fostering Grassroots Sport category) has donated an incredible $490,000 to sporting and social groups in the community.

Empowering young athletes, supporting junior clubs and strengthening the sporting culture of the community means a more connected Illawarra region, according to Renata Garnero, Wests Illawarra’s Chief Financial Officer.

Wests Illawarra funds 16 local clubs including cricket, netball, rugby league and hockey, so players - both children and adults - can stay active and build lifelong friendships.

“Whether it’s helping a young cricketer take their first swing with a bat, ensuring a talented netballer competes in representative squads or backing a rugby league player as they work towards an NRL career, our commitment to sport is about ensuring that every child who wants to play has the chance to do so,” says Renata.

Meanwhile, Wyong Rugby League Club (in the Heart of the Community category) stepped up in February 2024 with a Junior Rugby League Subsidy Program.

This was a $100 contribution per child aged five to 13 years to help families towards their annual fee to play the sport.

The Club acted after recognising that tighter budgets would have a “very real prospect of having an impact on numbers in junior participation for rugby league.”

Removing the cost barrier would also broaden the reach of the sport for boys and girls. And it worked.

Keith Cameron, Group Marketing Manager at Wyong Rugby League Club, says: “Results have shown that not only has the anticipated decline in registrations been arrested but it has led to many teams going well past last year’s numbers in sign-ups.”

This was echoed by clubs, including Matt Roberts from Berkeley Vale Panthers who said his particular club had its highest number of junior registrations in its 38-year history.

Club Marconi (Social inclusion) has set up free school holiday football clinics to make the sport more inclusive for children living with disabilities as well as helping cash-strapped families.

The popular 90-minute clinics ended with a yummy lunch and arcade time so the children could relax and reflect on their new skills and fun they had.

The Club’s Paige Boumelhem says: “The event culminates in an exciting penalty shoot and friendly match between participants and staff, filling the air with laughter.

“As a proud community club, we strive to be leaders in inclusivity, ensuring that every individual - regardless of ability or background - feels valued, supported and empowered through the joy of sport.”

The 2025 Clubs & Community Awards Dinner will be held in the ICC Ballroom on Thursday, 19 June. More details can be found here.