The Government of Canada is committed to creating a more inclusive sport environment for all Canadian by investing more than $30 million through the Community Sport for All Initiative (CSAI).

Nineteen national organizations have received investments including the local KidSport Canada branch in North Bay.

The Honourable Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming says, “Sport plays an important role in building stronger, healthier communities across the country and should include space for all to participate.”

Rota says, “This assistance will allow youth to apply for grants of up to $350 to help cover sport registration and equipment costs if they are registered with one of our local sport organizations.”

Some of the many groups that have been supported thus far with CSAI funding include North Bay Minor Hockey Association, North Bay Youth Soccer Club, The North Bay Bull Dogs Football Club, KTP Racquet Club, Marceau's Martial Arts, Dance Expressions and Apollo Gymnastics

Greg Ingalls, CEO of KidSport Canada says, “This Community Sport for All Initiative funding allows us to support the work that KidSport North Bay is doing in the community to provide access to sport.  This program demonstrates Sport Canada's commitment to ensuring that all children are included in community sport.”

Dave Mendicino, Chair of KidSport North Bay says, “The Chapter works hard to make applying for funding quick and simple through our online application process. It’s important for us to ensure that the families and community sport groups feel supported and that the funding gets to where it is needed most.”

The funding is being distributed to groups working on the ground. The activities help eliminate barriers that hinder participation in sport, particularly in Black, Indigenous and racialized communities, or 2SLGBTQQIA+ groups, people with low incomes, newcomers and persons with disabilities.

Kyoshi Chris Marceau is the Chief Instructor at Marceau’s Martial Arts and he says, “On behalf of Marceau's Martial Arts, we would like to Thank KidSport for sponsoring several of our students.  We have several students that are from families that at the time are not in a financial position to have their children come out and train with us, but to see the kids with smiles on their faces as they conquer new challenges is incredible. We also have a few students that have special needs and once again, KidSport has allowed them an equal opportunity to try training with us. Without the sponsorship from this organization, so many children would never know or understand the change and chance they have been allowed to experience.”

Miss Jayde and Miss Tara Lee are Directors at Dance Expressions de Danse and say, “We have a large amount of children ages 2 to 17 that participate in recreational dance here at our studio. The KidSport Program has been quite generous in the past years with helping those dancers that without this funding, would not be able to participate in dance. Their funding per child has helped a recreational dancer with one dance class, once per week, along with the dancer’s attire for the class. We greatly appreciate their support in our local community, along with giving a child an opportunity to experience the Arts.  Without this funding, many children would not get to experience any of this at all.”

Rota says, “Community sports helps youth build self-esteem and leadership skills and allows people to grow and thrive—physically, emotionally, and socially. I encourage those youth and their families who are eligible to reach out to KidSport Canada and apply for this grant.”

 Quick Facts

As announced in Budget 2021, up to $80 million dollars will be distributed across the country over two years. The investment will help community organizations facilitate access to organized sports activities and eliminate barriers to participation in sports.

The Community Sport for All Initiative seeks to restore and increase participation in sports, particularly in Black, Indigenous and 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities, and among people with low incomes, newcomers and persons with disabilities. The projects will be guided by the following principles:

• Affordable: Projects will be offered at minimal or no cost to participants.
• Results-oriented: Projects will be delivered in such a way as to increase participation and retention of equity-deserving communities and, ultimately, drive behavioural change.
• Focused on organized sport: While other activities may be included (such as movement skills development), the primary activity must be organized sport and must adhere to safe sport practices.
• Green: Delivery of the projects should produce minimal or positive environmental impact.
• Accessible: Projects must be tailored to the needs of one or more of the equity-deserving groups but need not be exclusionary and can be open to all and should allow for a wide range of athletic ability.
• Available: Projects should seek to be delivered in underserved communities and to achieve regional diversity.

Associated Links

For more information contact the KidSport website: kidsportcanada.ca/ontario/north-bay