KidSport Helps BC Families

More kids in British Columbia will be able to participate in organized sports thanks to $400,000 in new funding from the provincial government, announced Parliamentary Secretary for Non-Profit Partnerships Gordon Hogg on behalf of Bill Bennett, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

KidSport is a non-profit organization that works to eliminate the financial barriers that can keep kids 18 and under from participating in sport.

The program enables youth to participate in a sport of their choice through confidential financial assistance.

The funding will help KidSport assist more than 5,600 children and youth in British Columbia.

Each grant averages $200 to $300. Hogg made the announcement while taking part in KidSport’s annual fundraiser, the Corporate Kids Challenge, featuring an old-fashioned school sports day with participation by Olympians including Ryan Cochrane, Carol Huynh, Denny Morrison and Cindy Klassen.

Bill Bennett, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development “For so many of us, participation in sport in our youth taught us important life lessons and helped make us who we are today.

KidSport is a fabulous organization that works to make sport affordable for families. Our government is proud to support the work of this wonderful organization.” Pete Quevillon, KidSport director -“The contribution that the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development is making to KidSport assists us to ensure that more than 5,600 kids annually get to play a season of sport.” “As a key partner, the government of British Columbia is showing true leadership in helping us to develop healthy kids and to maintain B.C. as Canada’s most active province.”

• Since 2006-07, the B.C. government has invested more than $2.2 million in KidSport.
• Last year, KidSport distributed $1.1 million to more than 5,600 kids throughout the province.
• KidSport was established in 1993 by Sport BC.
• With the help of the B.C. government and other supporters,
• KidSport BC has expanded from fewer than 20 community chapters to 40.