Getting the kids active is a priority for parents across the region, but the costs of registration, insurance and playing equipment can bear down on a family’s income.

The Daily Mercury has done the digging for you to break down the cost of most major winter sports competitions available.

If you feel like we left your code out, send your information to: sport@dailymercury.com.au.

RUGBY LEAGUE

Sign-on dates: Club specific (register at www.playrugbyleague.com).

Season starts: March 14

Requirements: Boots, mouthguards, socks and shorts.

Seasons length: March to August.

Cost estimate: Club specific; about $100 for under-6s and more than $200 for other junior ages.

BASKETBALL

Sign-on dates: No sign-on for this season (President’s Cup). Sign-on held for the ‘Championship Season’ which takes place later in the year.

Season starts: 2020 President’s Cup season begins in late April.

Requirements: Shoes. Uniforms are supplied through club fees.

Season length: May to September.

Cost estimate: Between $250 to $300, which includes club, association and Basketball Queensland insurance fee, along with weekly game payment.

AUSSIE RULES

Sign-on dates: Club specific.

Season start: March 21.

Requirements: Boots, mouthguard and playing uniform.

Season length: March to September.

Cost estimate: Registrations starts from $105 for Auskick and Superstars Footy.

RUGBY UNION

Sign-on dates: August 30 (contact mdjru.president@outlook.com).

Season start: Representative season starts February to May. Muster will be held on the May Day Long weekend in Mackay.

Requirements: Boots and mouthguard. Playing jerseys provided.

Season length: End of August to mid November

Cost estimate: $100 junior registration fee.

Mackay Rugby Juniors Holiday Clinic Rookies2Reds

Address: Quarry Hill Rugby Grounds (28 Quarry Street, North Mackay 4740)

Dates: April 10, 2020 Time: 9am – 3:00pm (Register at rookies2reds.com.au)

Ages: 5 – 12 years

Contact: Chloe.butler@redsrugby.com.au 0468 954 974

Cost: $60.00 also includes Rookies2Reds participant pack and a pass to a 2020 Queensland Reds home game.

HOCKEY

Sign-on Dates: Club specific.

Season starts: March 20

Requirements: Hockey stick, shoes, shin guards, socks, mouthguard.

Season length: March – September.

Cost estimate: Juniors (depending on program and age), $89-$300. About $500 for seniors, plus equipment and insurance fees.

NETBALL

Sign-on dates: Club specific (register at www.mackay.netball.qld.com.au)

Season starts: Juniors start on March 28 and seniors on March 25. Net Set Go starts May 1.

Requirements: Uniform and sandshoes. No uniform needed for Net Set Go.

Season length: 15 weeks plus finals. Net Set Go: eight weeks

Cost estimate: Club specific.

SOCCER

Sign-on dates: Club specific (register at www.playfootball.com.au)

Season starts: March 6.

Requirements: Boots, shin pads, club designated socks and shorts.

Season length: March – September

Cost estimate: Club specific, but about $250 for juniors (ranges depending on age) and $330 for seniors.

SQUASH

Sign-on dates: Join any time. Junior training every Saturday at 9:30am to 11am.

Fixtures: Mondays 6pm, Wednesday 4pm (juniors only), Thursday 6pm.

Location: Mackay Leisure Centre.

Contact: Susan at 0423200348 to register or visit www.mackayleisurecentre.com.au/squash.

TABLE TENNIS

Sign-on dates: ‘Club Specific’ – Tuesday 14th and 21st January for Senior Tuesday night

Requirements: Sandshoes/sport shoes; a drink bottle and be dressed in cool comfortable clothing

Season starts: January 28, 2020 (Tuesday morning fixtures three seasons/year; Tuesday night senior fixtures four seasons/year; Tuesday junior fixtures four seasons/year)

Fixtures: Junior and Senior fixtures follow the school terms. Jan 28 - Mar 31; Apr 21 - Jun 23; Jul 14 - Sep 15; Oct 6 - Dec 8. Tuesday morning fixture runs as follows: Jan 28 - Apr 28; May 5 - Aug 11; Aug 18 - Dec 1.

Registration Fees: Adult $90 per year (*Concession $75)
*(Juniors < 18; official Card Holders – Full-time Student, Pension, Seniors or Health Care)

Early payment Discount of $5.00 if paid by Round 3 of Season 1 for both these fees

Fixture Fees: (paid weekly or season passes are available)

Tuesday morning fixtures $8.00

Tuesday night fixtures $7.50 (junior/concession); $10.00 (adult)

Tuesday Junior fixtures $5.00

For those wishing to play at other times (refer to website: http://www.mackaytabletennis.org) there is a $5 court hire fee. An annual pass is available for financial members.

Private coaching and squad sessions are also available for all levels of players and details can be provided by contacting the Club secretary.

Location: Mackay Table Tennis Assocation, 76 Bridge Rd, South Mackay

Contact: Visit http://www.mackaytabletennis.org

SOFTBALL

Sign-on dates: Dragons – February 15 and March 7. Both at 10am-2pm

Hawks – February 16 and 23. Both at 10am-2pm.

Angels – February. 22 1:30-4pm and March 15, 10am-2pm.

Cardinals (Senior teams only) – March 1, 9am to 12pm.

Requirements: Catching glove and cleats.

Season length: April (after Easter) to August.

Ages: Juniors 4 and above to seniors.

JUNIOR CRICKET

Sign-on dates: Club specific (Register at www.playcricket.com.au)

Season start: Friday January 31.

Requirements: Playing uniform (cricket whites).

Season length: January to March (three months)

Cost estimate: From $50. Girls only options Available.

CLUBS

Sport: Boxing

Club: Mackay Boxing Club Inc.

Cost estimate: 5-12 year olds $30 per month. 10-12 year olds $70 per month. 13-17 year olds $100 per month. 18 and over $150 per month. (Per session and per week offers available)

Time commitments: Wipper Snappers (Under-12) – Tuesday and Thursdays 4:45pm to 5:30pm. Teens and Adults – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 6pm to 7pm.

Sport: BMX

Club: Mackay Pioneer BMX Club Inc.

Contact: Secretary – Jaime Morgan 0418714232, secretary@mackaybmx.org.au

Sport: Martial Arts – Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Thai Kickboxing

Sporting Club: Mackay MMA

Cost estimate: Adults, around $35 per week. Kids around $22 per week. Family $60 per week.

Contact: David Garnham 0438553896

Sport: Athletics

Club: Mackay Athletics Club

Sign-on dates: February 29 at Mackay ARC.

Cost estimate: Year membership, $160 for first family member and $150 for each member after.

Season length: March to October.

Requirements: Joggers and club uniform (up to $35 for uniform).