WCCO: New Non-Profit Plans To Help Kids Out With Sport Fees

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - A new Twin Cities non-profit aims to help more students get involved in sports, despite any financial obstacles.

The InSports Foundation was the brainchild of a college student from Moorhead.

The foundation’s executive director, Tony Scheuerman, said he wants to help lighten the financial load for families.

A WCCO-TV report found parents are spending as much as $10,000 dollars per year at the top levels of sports like figure skating, gymnastics and dance.

Some less expensive traveling sports like basketball, baseball and softball cost parents between $500 and $1,000 dollars per season.

But Scheuerman said even the cost of school-sponsored activities or parks and recreation leagues can be a lot to maintain.

“Nowadays, you have to pay between $150 to $200 dollars just to participate,” he said.

Through its own fundraising efforts, InSports wants to help 10,000 kids in the next three years.

First, the foundation aims to help kids with the money needed to get a foot in the game, to participate and, eventually, to become more competitive.

“We want to help during school and after-school with things like summer camps and sports camps,” he said.

Scheuerman said he has not actually given away any scholarships because no one has applied yet, but he hopes that will change.

InSports Foundation will have a booth at the Minnesota Golf Show this weekend at the Minneapolis Convention Center for anyone interested in learning about the cause or applying for a scholarship.

Scholarship applicants are required to submit a one- to two-page essay and obtain a letter of recommendation from a coach, teacher or mentor.

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