Everyone’s talking about the housing crisis—the sky-high rent, the impossible mortgages, the rising cost of living. But there’s another layer to this problem that’s not hitting the headlines, and it’s one that will affect our kids for years to come.

We’re losing our third spaces—those vital community spots that aren't school, aren't home, but are everything in between.

Think about it: sport clubs, dance studios, cheer gyms, church halls, community centres, skate parks, youth groups... the places where kids build resilience, confidence, friendships, and identity. They’re disappearing quietly. Why? Because the property market is pushing them out.

💸 When I Started NRG 20 Years Ago…

Renting a hall cost $300 a week. I could run a 45-minute class for $9 per child and still make enough to keep the doors open and grow. These days? A similar space is thousands per week—or not even available. Those old church halls are now fancy offices, apartments, or priced so high that someone just starting out simply can’t afford them.

So what happens? Fewer new programs. Fewer passionate teachers launching great things for our kids. Less diversity. Less accessibility. And for the ones that do manage to stay open? The financial pressure is massive.

Most people don’t realise this: running a children’s activity space in 2025 means you're either paying someone else’s million-dollar mortgage… or you’ve taken one on yourself. And the margins? Tiny.

👀 What I’ve Seen With My Own Eyes

We talk a lot about the impact of third spaces in theory. But I’ve lived it. I’ve seen what Allstar Dance and Cheerleading can do for kids—and it’s powerful.

✨ I’ve seen the kids who struggle in school walk into the studio and shine.

✨ I’ve seen a child who was suspended from school regularly completely turn their life around through cheer—graduate school, find their passion, and now hold down a full-time job.

✨ I’ve watched children with ADHD—who find the school day exhausting—come alive in their dance class.

✨ I’ve seen kids who were lonely or isolated make their very first best friend in our studio. They’ve gone on to build lifelong support networks.

✨ I’ve seen teens navigating serious mental health challenges get through the week because of the consistency, love, and safety they find in their team.

✨ I’ve seen parents—exhausted and struggling—find community in the waiting room. I’ve seen other parents step up when someone lost a job, when a family member passed away, when someone just needed help getting their child to class.

This is the magic of third spaces. And it’s being quietly eroded.

🧠 The Research is Clear

We already know that teens who are connected to third spaces are less likely to struggle with mental health, more likely to avoid substance abuse, and are significantly more resilient. These are the spaces where they feel seen, where they have purpose, where they belong.

But what happens when only the wealthy can afford these opportunities for their children? What happens when only some kids get access to safe, empowering environments outside of school and home?

We start seeing a deepening class divide. A rise in disengaged youth. And in 10 years, we’ll be facing higher mental health costs, rising crime rates, and wondering how we got here.

🚨 It’s a Slow Burn… But It’s Happening Now

Third spaces don’t disappear with a bang. They vanish slowly—quietly—until one day you look around and realise your community is missing something. Something vital.

At NRG, we fight every day to hold on. To offer a space that’s more than just a dance class or a cheer practice. It's mentorship. It's community. It’s home.

But we can’t do it alone. We need councils and governments to start thinking long-term. To protect these spaces. To value them as essential infrastructure—not luxuries.

Because when the third spaces go… our kids lose so much more than a class. They lose their anchor. Their safe place. Their spark.