Cost Analysis Summary Report: 2017-18

Cost Analysis Summary Report: 2017-18

  • Purpose: Report costs to participate in ringette in Alberta, its accessibility for average families and include recommendations to Ringette Alberta and Local Association Boards for how to control costs.
  • Goal: 7500 Participants by 2022/23, by ensuring ringette is affordable to a broad market.
  • Conducted a Survey of players in the 2016-2017 season.
  • Survey sent out to 6,388 players.
  • Committee – Jackie Shimko (Chair), Lisa McQuiston, Carolyn Reich, Paige Armstrong and Nicole Deitz.

Results

  • Received 44% response on the survey.
  • Age Category of Registrants in 2016/17
  • Level of Play of Registrants in 2016/17

Household Income

  • 3% of ringette families are dual income.
  • 8% of participants in 18+ are from single income households.
  • 7% of participants in AA are from dual income households.
  • Over 70% earned more than $100,000.
  • 42% earning more than $150,000.
  • Average income was approximately $143,400 versus Stats Canada’s average income in Alberta is $90,000.
  • Higher levels of play are correlated with higher income levels.
  • Mean Household Income by Level of Play

Costs

Registration, Fundraising, Cash Call, and any other Team Costs – not including family costs

  • Average Cost of Ringette by Level of Play
  • Average cost of ringette by age
  • All ages and levels generally agreed that Ringette provides good value for money.
  • The value of Ringette compared to other sports was difficult for many participants to discern.
  • Comments from survey:
  • Ice time (shortage of the amount of ice allocated, or the times of day) and shared ice.
  • Some said that higher levels get more ice but pay the same fees. – LTAD.
  • Player numbers increasing but ice availability isn’t.
  • Fees should include additional items (such as power skating or dry-land training).
  • Tournament costs should be included. Some associations include home tournaments.
  • Participants wanted to be aware of total costs prior to making a commitment to play.
  • Some thought goalies should get discounts and more development.
  • Would like to see information on program/association costs (Financial statements).
  • Higher facility (ice) and equipment costs compared with land-based sports.
  • It is believed that Ringette is less expensive than hockey but hockey gets more ice.
  • Equipment and tournament costs were significant factors.
  • Rural communities, the cost of travel for attendance at practices and games.
  • Parents of minor players should have meaningful input into team budget decisions at the beginning of the season for additional costs such as travel, tournaments, off-ice activities, and off-ice team apparel.
  • Relatively low costs for introductory levels were mention by parents/guardians of younger players.

 

Association Registration Fees (U14, U16 & U19 includes AA)

 

 

Additional Family Costs Associated with Ringette Participation (Gas, Food, Flights, Car Rental, etc.)

  • Average Additional Family Costs by Level of Play
  • Average family additional costs increased with the level of play. Additional costs are low at the younger levels but increases as the players get older.
  • Average Additional Family Cost by Age

Tournament Cost Comments

  • Tournament travel, food, and hotel costs are significant.
  • 66% of respondents felt that they played the “right” number of tournaments.
  • Getting into tournaments is difficult for some teams.
  • Based on comments Friday play is a concern due to:
    • players missing school.
  • parents missing work.
  • no Sunday games (play only Friday and Saturday).
  • additional cost if early morning game (Thursday night hotel).
  • Average Number of Tournaments per Level of Play
  • More people indicated they would have preferred one or more tournaments than those who answered fewer tournaments.
  • 1/3 of people prefer no Friday tournaments but 1/3 of people support Friday tournaments. From comments, there is an understanding that there is lack of ice available on weekends.
  • Support of Tournament Play on Friday’s by Level of Play

Team Building Costs Comments

  • Majority of activities paid for by team budget but ultimately results in additional costs for player/family.
  • Wide range of costs for activities (from $5.00 yoga to weekend cabin retreat).
  • Varied participation.
  • Should be included in team budget to avoid “surprise” costs over the season.
  • Support for low cost team building activities.
  • Some concern regarding activities being “mandatory”.

Team Clothing Cost Comments

  • Strong support to mandate Association clothing remain unchanged from year to year (some Associations already have this policy and support it).
  • Potential issues: product availability, changes in technology and style.
    • Support for larger items to remain unchanged year to year within the Association (provides cohesive look for all players).
    • Support for smaller team items (toques, t-shirts) to be purchased yearly.
  • Players want to look unique and like they are part of a team.
  • Wide range of apparel costs (from $50.00-$300.00).
  • Occasionally teams have sponsors for apparel.
  • Concern that clothes not used after season ends.

Time Commitment

  • Most people feel the time commitment is about right for ringette.

Financial Pressure

  • Ringette may not be a financially accessible sport for all Alberta families.
  • U16 age group or AA division felt the highest amount of financial pressure however, the majority of participants have not considered withdrawing due to the financial pressure.

Recommendations

  • Use smaller ice surfaces for U10’s to help reduce costs.
  • Encourage utilization of outdoor ice.
  • Associations should be doing fundraising to cover increased costs in attaining more ice.
  • Have associations supply the costs of running the association to show where the registration fees go and why they need to fundraise. Committee will supply associations a sample to use.
  • Associations should provide links on their website to KidSport, grants within their community (ie City of St. Albert Games Legacy Award Program) or set up a benevolent fund within their association with Company Sponsorship. Should provide this information at your Come Try Ringette events for new players.
  • Associations should be following LTAD to help control costs.
  • Number of tournaments
  • Limit number of tournaments based on age and/or level of play and align with LTAD models. – sanctioning policy –
  • Improve/standardize team selection process for tournaments. To accomplish this Leagues would have to operate with the same standards, eg. First half, second half, re-pooling/re-tiering and Associations would have to sanction tournaments by the beginning of August.
    • Prioritize entries to ensure equal opportunities.
  • Friday tournament play
  • Travelling teams play later on Friday and local teams play earlier. –
  • Two day tournaments or double headers instead of 3 day tournaments-
  • One day tournaments for Active Start and U10 Step 1. –
  • Team building
  • Associations need to set a monetary limit for team building activities. –
  • Have associations supply a list of items for coaches to discuss at the first team meeting to inform team of additional costs. Should also supply at registration for new parents. Committee to supply associations a sample to use.
  • Team clothing
  • Association branding like Beaumont, Red Deer, Fort Sask, Strathmore have done. One name and a selection of apparel with the association brand.
  • Association apparel (larger items like hoodies, track suits, coats) and brand to remain unchanged from year to year. Associations can change styles periodically when changing jerseys/logo’s.
  • Team apparel with less value (eg. toques, t-shirts) can be purchased yearly