True Sport Foundation announces $25,000 and $5,000 grants for community sport programs
February 27, 2009

(Ottawa, Ontario – February 27, 2009) The True Sport Foundation is now accepting applications for the True Sport Community Fund.  Grants in the amount of $5,000 or $25,000 are available in support of sport programs that create access, and promote inclusion for children and youth from Aboriginal, low- income, and new Canadian families.

“Through the True Sport Community Fund, we are helping communities to provide tools and programs that will give Canadian children and youth an opportunity to participate in True Sport – sport based on the values of fairness, inclusion, excellence, and fun,” says Victor Lachance, executive director of the True Sport Foundation. 

The fund is the result of a partnership between The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation and the True Sport Foundation.   Funds are awarded to programs that address common barriers to participation, create sport opportunities that have a broader appeal to Aboriginal or new Canadian children and youth, provide volunteer coach and official training, and improve or create new playing surfaces.

Although open to all provinces and territories, the True Sport Community Fund focuses on Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador. 

“Since 2007, $895,000 in dedicated funds has been made available to community-based sport and recreation organizations,” says Mr. Lachance. “All grant recipients have been selected because they represent the values of True Sport and demonstrate opportunities to increase access to and inclusion in sport in their community.”  To date, the grants awarded have directly impacted over 34,000 children and youth and 5,000 volunteers. 

An additional $530,000 will be distributed in 2009.  The next application deadline is May 31, 2009.  Information and eligibility criteria as well as the online application form are available at www.truesport.ca/tsfund.   

This fall, 31 groups and organizations from across Canada were selected as True Sport Community Fund recipients, including:

$25,000 Recipients:

  • Peticodiac Boys and Girls Club (Peticodiac, NB)
  • Musgrave Harbour Recreation / Youth Committee (Musgrave Harbour, NL)
  • Sports Interlake (Stonewall, MB)
  • Pelican Lake Alliance of Youth (Leoville, SK)
  • The R.E.A.L. Program (St. John’s, NL)
  • Multicultural Association of Fredericton (Fredericton, NB)
  • KidSport Ottawa (Ottawa, ON)

$5,000 Recipients:

  • Regina Minor Football (Regina, SK)
  • St. John’s High School (Winnipeg, MB)
  • YMCA of Greater Halifax / Dartmouth (Dartmouth, NS)
  • Conseil de développement du sport du Restigouche (Dalhousie, NB)
  • Miramichi Cross Country Ski Club (Miramichi, NB)
  • La Loche Minor Sports (La Loche, SK)
  • Little Shuswap Indian Band (Chase, BC)
  • Fort Smith Paddling Club (Fort Smith, NT)
  • The Rave Volleyball Program (Regina, SK)
  • Nipawin Metis Local 134 (Nipawin, SK)
  • Guidance of Canadian Somali Youth (Toronto, ON)
  • Tracks and Trails Cross Country Ski Club (Fort Liard, NT)
  • Rocky FlipZ Wellness and Learning Centre (Rocky Mountain House, AB)
  • Winnipeg Wave Swim Club (Winnipeg, MB)
  • Wolfville School Playground Improvement Committee (Wolfville, NS)
  • Longlac Cross Country Ski Club (Longlac, ON)
  • Tsay Keh Dene (MacKenzie, BC)
  • Islamic Soccer League (Scarborough, ON)
  • Parkland Youth Football (Dauphin, MB)
  • Acadia Minor Hockey Association (Wolfville, NS)
  • Whitecalf Sports Centre Hockey Academy (Saskatoon, SK)
  • Northern Regional Recreation Centre (Prince Albert, SK)
  • Westview Community School (Prince Albert, SK)
  • The Boys and Girls Club of Summerside (Summerside, PE)


About True Sport
True Sport is a national movement for sport and community. Its core mission is to be a catalyst to help sport live up to its full potential as a public asset for Canada and Canadian society – making a significant contribution to the development of youth, the well-being of individuals, and the quality of life in our communities. For more information please visit www.truesport.ca.

About the True Sport Foundation
The True Sport Foundation is a leading registered charity committed to ensuring that sport makes a positive contribution to Canadian society, to our athletes, and to the physical and moral development of Canada’s youth.  The True Sport Foundation brings together leading organizations to promote, celebrate, and recognize sporting excellence. For more information please visit www.truesportfoundation.ca.

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For general inquiries, please contact
Christina Parsons
National Projects Manager
True Sport Foundation
(613) 526-6043
cparsons@truesport.ca

For media inquiries, please contact
Rosemary Pitfield, Director of Communications
(613) 521-3340 ext. 3236
(613) 355-0889
rpitfield@truesport.ca