The position from the governing body of soccer for the region comes after a local parent commented on costs for returning players, with question marks around the Active Kids program.

Eland, however, was positive the implementation of Active Kids this year has been nothing but a benefit for grassroots sport and participation numbers, with just one official complaint being submitted.

“Our registration numbers have been very strong, and the response to the Active Kids rebate has been very positive,” he said. “It has provided real discounts to families and we certainly hope that it will increase participation and it will make our sport more accessible for members of the community.”

Read: Active Kids: Pocket $100 and get your kids active

“Football is the largest participation sport in Australia, it is certainly the largest participation sport in Newcastle, and people aren’t leaving the game because of the Active Kids rebate.”

Eland understands there will be those who are curious about the current state of registration prices as well, and urged any parents or community members looking for more information to reach out.

“If there’s any parent out there that is concerned about their local club and the application of the Active Kids rebate, they can contact Northern NSW Football,” Eland explained. “We will address their concerns confidentially and respectfully, as we have done to one complainant so far.”

He also stated no clubs in the Northern NSW area have altered their registration costs to take "advantage of the Active Kids rebate”.

“There is absolutely no evidence, what so ever, that any football club has taken advantage … by putting registration fees up,” Eland said. “Northern NSW Football has, to date, received one complaint and a number of other enquires about registration, but only one was focused on the Active Kids program.”

According to Northern NSW Football, prices for clubs around the Hunter have risen either $10 or $15, all inclusive of the registration and facility levies that have been introduced this season.

Read: Office of Sport warns unwarranted price hikes will be punished

It’s a necessary rise in price, Eland said, in part due simply to the ever-increasing running costs of organisations in sport.

“Those increases are absolutely justified, on the basis that Northern NSW Football’s levies increased,” he said. “We have introduced a state-wide club facilities fund, and any suggestion the rises are grassroot clubs taking advantage of Active Kids is baseless.”

A review of registration fees revealed the average cost of registration to play 5-11 years competitions is $155 in 2018, with Active Kids reducing the cost to $55. Players under the age of 18 participating at a community club throughout Northern NSW will on average pay $184 in 2018, which would reduce to $84 if a voucher was used.

The fees stretch far for clubs mostly run by community volunteers, with the list including insurances to players, coaches, match officials, volunteers, office bearers, clubs and member zones.

Read: Registrations open for local grassroots footy season

In keeping with the stance of ‘doors always open’ at the governing body’s headquarters, Eland and community football manager Peter Haynes have already been travelling around the region as part of the ‘state of the game’ roadshow.

“We provide every club throughout Northern NSW Football’s area the opportunity to attend a presentation that [the two of us] make, and those meetings have been going really well,” Eland said.

The roadshow has just one zone to go, Northern Inland, and Northern NSW Football’s chief executive invites anyone still questioning registration fees to attend the discussion.

Read: Northern NSW Football defends rego increase to build for the future

“The forums provide all member clubs with an objective assessment of the governing body’s performance and the opportunity to ask questions within an open and transparent setting,” he said. “Ask us questions and seek clarification.”

The next forum for the Northern League One clubs will be hosted at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility on February 27. Meetings for Northern Inland football will be hosted in Tamworth on March 13, and in Armidale on March 14.

Community members interested in speaking to David Eland, or Northern NSW Football, can email info@northernnswfootball.com.au, or contact details are available at northernnswfootball.com.au/about-us/staff.