The fee for participation on athletic teams has increased from $200 to $300 for the 2013 school year.

According to Athletic Director Pete Rittenburg, the town of Brookline decided to increase the cost last spring in order to raise revenue to support a revolving fund which defrays operating costs for the athletics department.

Revenue for the operating costs is typically distributed between uniforms, equipment, officials and transportation.

Rittenburg said that the operating costs in previous years have exceeded revenue from athletic user fees and that additional money generated from the user fees indirectly supports the overall school and town budgets.

According to Rittenburg, the athletics department is currently fully funded. He said the school is fortunate that there were no cuts to teams or coaches.

The change in the user fee has not deterred any athletic participation during the fall season. Last year, there were approximately 500 students participating in fall athletics. This year, that number rose over 10 percent to 555 student athletes.

Full and partial scholarships are available to any athlete who needs them.

“It goes without saying that money shouldn’t get in the way of participation,” Rittenburg said.

Seth Coven can be contacted at [email protected].