Fresno Slashes Fees for City-Run Youth Sports Leagues
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 1 year ago on
January 25, 2023
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Fresno youth are getting get a deep discount to play in city-run sports programs.

A new program will reduce the fee from $75 per child per sport to $20, which will be “opening the door of athletics to so many children who may have otherwise been unable to participate,” said Fresno City Council President Tyler Maxwell, who proposed the idea.

Basketball, soccer, flag football, t-ball, and fitness camps for children 3-15 are covered by the discount, which is for families at or below 150% of the federal poverty line.

Maxwell already placed the $300,000 program in last year’s budget. No other vote is required to implement the discounts.

“The best investment a city can make is an investment into the children of this city, and more importantly, I believe that the opportunities afforded to Fresno children should not be dictated by household income,” Maxwell said.

Funding From City Parks Sales Tax

The money, from Measure P sales tax funds, will also include a duffel bag with sports clothes and equipment.

While Maxwell did not have an exact answer on how many children can take advantage, he said it’s definitely in the hundreds. With $300,000 in the budget and a $55 discount (plus equipment), more than 3,000 to 4,000 can be served.

Mayor Jerry Dyer called it a “great day.”

“Access to new adventures and experiences that are free or low cost for our youth is a priority for me and for my administration,” Dyer said.

Dyer touted other programs to help youth such as free summer camps, and tickets to the zoo and Fresno State football games.

Fresno City Council President Tyler Maxwell (at podium) announces a fee waiver program for youth sports, as Martha Chavez and Mayor Jerry Dyer look on. (GV Wire/David Taub)

Who is Eligible?

Martha Chavez looks forward to the program. Her daughter Olivia played soccer last year.

“This is going to also benefit a lot of our families because a lot of times our kids are not aware of different programs or families sometimes just because they don’t qualify or just because they made a little bit more over, they feel like they can afford a sport. I only have one child, so I can only imagine the burden on families that have multiple kids,” Chavez said.

Eligibility is based on household income, at or below 150% of the federal poverty line.

Families can also qualify if they are enrolled in another need-based program such as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) Foster Youth, CalWORKs, EBT, SNAP, WIC, PG&E’s CARE or FERA program, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Applications can be submitted online, or at the Dicky Youth Community Center, 1515 E. Divisadero St.

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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