The Hidden Cost of Competitive Sports | Auckland News

It’s costing families tens of thousands to keep kids competitive in sports—chess, taekwondo, and beyond. One mom spent $19K on lodging alone for her son’s chess journey; another grandmother funds her grandson’s overseas training because his parents can’t afford it. Travel, gear, camps, and fees are piling up, forcing parents to sell bake sales, borrow money, or even pause training. Officials admit affordability—not talent—is the real barrier. Fixing this will take everyone—from local communities to national bodies—together. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/4eebbb6a60a55e4e