A $400,000 B.C. Government grant to KidSport BC will help ensure all children in British Columbia have the opportunity to participate in sport, announced Burnaby North MLA Richard T. Lee on behalf of Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
Established in 1993, KidSport BC is a non-profit organization that helps kids 18 and under to participate in sport. The program enables children and youth to participate in a sport of their choice through confidential financial assistance. KidSport BC was the first organization of its kind in the country and has grown from fewer than 20 community chapters to more than 40 throughout the province.
Lee made the announcement at KidSport BC’s 5th annual Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Corporate Kids Challenge fundraiser. This year’s superhero-themed event was attended by some of B.C.’s elite athletes, including members of Canada’s World Cup silver medal women’s rugby team; members of Canada’s national women’s soccer team; as well as former BC Lion, Angus Reid, Olympic freestyle skier silver medalist, Kelsey Serwa, and Olympic rowing silver medalist Darcy Marquardt.
Since 2006, the B.C. government has invested more than $3 million in KidSport BC. In 2013, more than 6,700 kids received KidSport BC assistance with an average funding grant of $300.