VICTORIA - The BC Games Society is creating the Powering Potential Fund to support B.C.’s sport sector, thanks in part to up to $50,000 in matching funds from the B.C. government.
The Powering Potential Fund will invest in projects that develop individual athletes, teams, sport organizations and communities.
It aims to address the challenges young athletes may face in pursuing high-performance pathways in sport, such as the costs and access to sport facilities or specialized equipment needed in the pursuit of excellence in provincial, national and international competition.
Funding will be provided in three categories:
* Bursaries/Awards - A program of bursaries and awards that provide financial support to athletes and coaches for enhanced training and competition opportunities.
* Capital Projects - Funding for specialized equipment or contributions to capital projects to ensure sport organizations can continue to provide quality programs, venues and hosting opportunities that will attract and retain athletes and coaches.
* Community Projects - Grants to underwrite the cost of collaborative community projects that celebrate sport, ignite participation and grow volunteer capacity.
As the lead organization for the BC Summer and Winter Games, the BC Games Society brings together communities throughout the province in the spirit of sport.
Since 1978, the BC Games have held 60 events in B.C. with over 110,000 athletes and 155,000 volunteers, coaches and officials. For many participants, the Games have launched impressive sport careers that extended to national and international competitions.
The B.C. government contributes over $2 million annually to the BC Games Society to support the Games - part of over $40 million invested annually to encourage British Columbians to be physically active and to support a “performance pathway” for athletes, coaches and support personnel.
Simon Whitfield, Olympian, BC Games Society board member, notes, “The BC Games have positively influenced the lives of young athletes and community volunteers for close to 40 years. I was fortunate to have great supporters throughout my journey as an athlete and I know that this initiative will support the journey for many more to find their potential in sport and in life.”
Donations made to the Powering Potential Fund are eligible for tax receipts.
An Advisory Committee, including members of the BC Games Society Board of Directors, community members, athletes and community leaders, will manage the fund.
BC Games are held every two years in even calendar years with an estimated economic impact of $2 million for Summer Games and $1.6 million for Winter Games.
BC Games athletes range in age from 9-19 years, depending on the sport. The average age of the athletes is 14 years.
Learn More:
BC Games Society: https://www.bcgames.org/