A junior soccer club trying to improve access for struggling families has been told by Football SA that there is no room for them in a local competition.
Adelaide Youth Football Club, a new soccer club based in Adelaide's west, was created with the goal of making registration fees more affordable.
Some local clubs are advertising registration fees of $750 for children under six years old and more than $1,000 for children under 10 years old.
Adelaide Youth Football Club president Tim Quinn said his club would charge about $400 per player for its under 6s side and $500 for every other junior age group.
"I started this club because football is out of reach for a lot of families," Mr Quinn said.
"The fees are very high and there's a lot of people out there, especially in the current climate, that can't afford to play football."
He said those fees will also reduce once the club is set up with equipment.
The club hoped to have at least three teams in the western suburbs MiniRoos competitions next season, and was advised by an email from a Football SA venue manager that a field in Woodville North was a possible location.
Area 'saturated' with soccer clubs
After fulfilling all the requirements, Mr Quinn said Football SA dropped a "last minute" bombshell on the club.
"They got back to us and said we can no longer participate because of the potential impact on other local clubs," Mr Quinn said.
Football SA said in a statement that the western suburbs competition was "saturated" and it determined there was no need for an additional club.
"The proposed location of Adelaide Youth Football Club was in an area of multiple well-established football clubs, with the closest being less than 1 kilometre away," Football SA said.
"Some clubs within the surrounding areas struggle to fulfil all age groups and welcome new players to their clubs annually in the MiniRoos age groups."
Mr Quinn described the decision as "unfair" and said some clubs in the area have two teams in almost every age group.
"We're looking at kids and families who can't afford to play football, which further expands the market and highlights the need for another club in the area," he said.
Mr Quinn said he was given no avenue of appeal.
Sport becoming 'unaffordable'
Craig Taylor's 7-year-old son Ky was hoping to play his first season of soccer this year.
But he might have to miss out because of Football SA's decision.
"Cost in food, cost in fuel, mortgage rates have gone up, so it's a massive strain on the average household," the father said.
"We've got two children so if they're both into soccer that's near $2,000 a year.
"It's unaffordable."
Mr Taylor said his son would have to continue playing Aussie rules football even though most of his friends were playing soccer.
"We'll have to explain to him that if we can't afford it, he'll have to stay in Aussie rules just purely because it is the cheaper option," he said.
Health and social benefits for children
South Australia's Commissioner for Children and Young People, Helen Connolly, said Mr Taylor's experience was becoming increasingly common.
"As everyone's budget has been stretched and pushed with increased cost of living pressures across the board, then things like sport have become difficult to prioritise within a family budget," Ms Connolly said.
The commissioner said sport was a crucial part of a child's development
"Things like sport and connection to the communities and good friends are really protective factors for children," she said.
"If you grow up with all of those things around you, it gives you networks outside of your family, which is really important, but there's really important health and social benefits from being involved in organised sport.
"We shouldn't be able to just write whole groups of kids off because their families don't have the money for that."
Unsuitable alternative
After being told there was no room in the western suburbs junior competition, Mr Quinn said it was suggested they move their club 35 minutes away to affluent Brighton.
Mr Quinn said that would only add extra costs for the families.
"Those people that are supporting us at the moment, they're all local to the area; it's not practical for them and goes against the whole point of the club," he said.
"Everything is in place to have a successful club next year.
"We've got the facilities, we've got sponsors in place, we've got some coaches, and we've got some players.
"And all that will go to waste if we can't participate."
