The week of May 4-11 has been proclaimed KidSport week to help raise awareness of kids who may not have the means to play organized sports, Minister Responsible for Sport Ron Lemieux announced today. It gives them a productive outlet for their energy, and helps them grow as individuals and as a team. We re proud to support a charity that helps all Manitoba youth receive this advantage and we encourage Manitobans to participate. KidSport, a national charity, helps disadvantaged youth participate in sports by paying for registration and program costs and by supplying recycled and new equipment.
Research shows that cost is a barrier to participation in sports.
KidSport and its volunteers cover all regions of the province. Funds raised within a region stay within that region, while funds raised provincially are distributed throughout the province. Money raised in Manitoba helped KidSport support 860 children and young people last year. Sports equipment can be donated at any regional sports association office. The KidSport program originated in British Columbia in 1993 and now involves British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Sport North.