Personal Debt and Sources of Support

Based on the survey responses of athletes, the average athlete is incurring a deficit. Interview respondents were asked to indicate whether this finding concurred with their experience, or whether they were surprised by the finding. Only one interview respondent expresses surprise at the gap between income and expenses. Most agree with this assessment, or note that they believe that the gap may be even greater for their athletes. Interview respondents note that many athletes have low incomes, cannot manage to hold a job and train at the same time, and have high sport-related expenses. One states “we have had cases of athletes going without eating to make ends meet”. This respondent notes that the situation has been exacerbated by the fact that they had to levy AAP funds from team members this year to put together a training and competition program ⁸. Several expressed concern with the gap between income and expenses, noting that athletes may spend decades dedicated to their sport “with little to show for it at the end”.

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  Where located in country: Again, several respondents note that expenses and the support available to an athlete may depend on the province and/or city they live in. For example, they note that Quebec athletes receive a much greater level of support. One also states that Calgary is a city with a high cost of living and where less support is available.
  
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  Level of performance: Several note that expenses can be much higher for high performance athletes, both in terms of their equipment and training. Others note that some high performance athletes (depending on the sport) have access to sponsorship opportunities which can erase the income to expense gap.
  
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  Parental support: Several interview respondents note that expenses and pressures can be much greater for athletes who move away from home to train or attend school, as they face additional expenses for rent, food transportation. Access to parental financial support also plays a large factor, whether the athlete remains at home or relocates.
  

One respondent states “the issue is complicated and merits a study of its own. There are gaps across sports, within sports and across provinces”, particularly in terms of income. “A more detailed analysis should be conducted”.