Giving Otago’s young people a Sporting Chance
Overview
When children are keen to participate in sport, it’s important they’re able to do so. But for families under financial pressure, costs can be a major barrier.
To help ensure children don’t miss out, Sport Otago offers Sporting Chance. This focused and effective programme helps children and young adults from disadvantaged families to pay for their sports footwear, clothing, equipment and fees.
Each year, around 150 of the region’s children and young adults are supported by Sporting Chance. As the Operations Manager of Sport Otago, Duane Donovan, explains: “Participation is the key. When we make a grant, we don’t look at performance at all. It’s to help children of all abilities participate in sport on a regular basis.”
Background & partners
Sport Otago was the first of New Zealand’s 17 Regional Sports Trusts, founded in 1983. Its overarching objective is to develop sport and physical activity levels in Otago, by working alongside sporting and leisure groups.
In 1999, 42 schools in the Dunedin metropolitan area were surveyed (not by Sport Otago). This found almost ten percent of parents couldn’t afford regular sport for their children. Barriers included the cost of fees, uniforms, footwear, and equipment. Pressure on school budgets also meant some had 'no pay, no play' policies.
In response, Sport Otago launched Sporting Chance in mid-2002. The programme is funded by organisations such the Rotary Club of Dunedin East, Bendigo Valley Trust, Dunedin Print and Dunedin Casino Trust; as well as by public donations. Stirling Sports supplies sports footwear and equipment at a special rate.
The initiative
At first, Sporting Chance only supported secondary school aged students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Following a 2004 review, the age bracket was extended to start at year 5 (about age nine). “If kids are younger than that, our expectations are that sports should keep the costs of participation down,” says Duane.
An applicant can receive a Sporting Chance grant up to twice a year, for two unrelated sports. Every grant is assessed individually but by and large, most applicants receive less than $150 a year.
Many grants are made for playing traditional sports such as miniball, netball, t-ball and football, but they can be made for any team or individual sport. The grants are designed to cover essential equipment that is not provided through a school or club, so items such as balls and nets are not covered. Travel to local competitions may be covered in extreme circumstances; travel for representative level competition is not. About 50 percent of all grants are made for footwear and uniforms; about 40 percent are for fees.
Applications are made through a Sporting Chance referee, using a one-page application form. These are available from schools and support agencies throughout the region.
Total anonymity is a cornerstone of the programme. No children or families are publicly identified. But all recipients are encouraged to write a letter or card to express thanks to the Sporting Chance sponsors. These are passed on, with names removed.
Since 2008, Stirling Sports have become a key backer. “They supply us with footwear at a considerably discounted rate,” says Duane. He suggests that involving a local retailer is a good idea for any RST starting a similar programme.
Key benefits
- Helping many children. Since 2002, Sporting Chance has provided financial assistance to around 1000 children and young adults - around 150 a year are currently supported. “We have a reasonably high return rate of names and families - you see them coming through each year,” says Duane. As he notes, it’s extremely rewarding to know that Sporting Chance is making a difference to keep them involved.
- Keeping children involved. Children are encouraged to have ongoing involvement in the sport. For example, if an application is made to join a learn-to-swim class, Sport Otago would only consider funding membership to a local swimming club, which could provide the lessons.
- Targeting those with greatest need. “We have a number of low decile schools who use us,” Duane notes. The schools have the application forms on-hand and can help disadvantaged families to apply.
- Simple and efficient to run. “It’s quite an easy programme to run. The application form is a one-pager. We’re very clear on the criteria so over 95 percent of grant applications are approved.”
Sport Otago covers all administration costs (essentially stamps, stationery and wages) out of its core funding, so all donated money benefits the children. “It’s easy to report to the funders exactly where the money has gone,” says Duane.
- Supported by the wider community. Community-wide support has been gained through wishing well collections in retail outlets around the region. Some retailers have been unable to offer ongoing floor space for the wells, so other ways of collecting donations are being considered.
Looking ahead
“The key to success is sustainability. Sporting Chance has to be there for more than one season,” emphasises Duane. The aim is to continue Sporting Chance at about the same level: at present there’s no point in driving growth, because funding is not set to increase. There’s also the challenge of rising sporting costs. Over time, the average amount of grants has gone up and this trend is likely to continue.
While there’s no plan to increase the number of applications coming in, it’s important to keep the programme fresh and appealing. By the end of 2009, Sporting Chance will have been rebranded, with a range of high-profile local sports people coming on board as advocates.
They’ll take things ahead – and help ensure the young people of Otago continue to get the ‘Sporting Chance’ they deserve.
Contacts and links
To know more visit http://www.sportotago.co.nz/index.php?sporting_chance or contact Duane Donovan, Operations Manager of Sport Otago on (03) 474 6419 email DDonovan@sportotago.co.nz
Updated | 18 Sep 2009.
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