The Windsor-Essex Community Foundation has released a report on sport and belonging in Windsor-Essex, and it concludes that sport is vital for healthy communities.
Executive Director Lisa Kolody says the report shows affordability and over-competitiveness often prevent people from engaging in local sports, and a balance needs to be found.
Kolody says school boards, municipalities and the foundation can provide financial help if people need it to play sports.
"There are subsidies, and grant programs that exist. So, what we need to do is be better at talking about it, and sharing that information," says Kolody.
The annual Windsor-Essex Community Foundation Vital Signs report will be released in the fall.
Kolody says girls often leave sports when they get older because they either need to work, or it becomes too competitive.
"Young girls get involved in sport, and as they get older they get less involved, and why is that? It's something we need to look at," Kolody says.
Kolody says groups can make sport more fun, not too competitive, and build more flexibility into their schedules allowing working people to participate.
"Maybe we need to look at schedules that allow working people to be involved with recreation sport," says Kolody.
