THE BATTLEFORDS — KidSport is an organization that provides grants to help cover the costs of registration fees so that all kids, ages five to 18, can play a season of sport.
The organization websites kidsportcanada.ca and kidsport.ca/sask outline the program’s goals, chapters and latest news.
David Schell, co-chair of the Battlefords Chapter of KidSport since 2011 says their organization has 10 volunteer members. They also get administrative support from the Saskatoon office.
In 2023, the organization helped 122 kids in the Battlefords, totaling $28,525 in funding provided.
Schell says, “Funding comes most from KidSport Sask. allotments [which] come from their various sponsorships, such as Sask Lotteries. The Battlefords organization also ran Operation Red Nose in the Battlefords from 2015-2022, which served as a large fundraiser for the group. They also hold several barbecues and other local fundraisers to help with their efforts.”
“The provincial KidSport committee works on the provincial ambassadors with the Saskatchewan Roughriders being huge supporters,” adds Schell. “We also have a Dream Broker as part of the committee that attends student lead conferences at various schools to increase awareness, with many of our applications through the Dream Broker program.”
Sun Life Financial held a golf event where donations were earmarked for KidSport and the Battlefords organization had committee members attend the Goals for KidSport game with the SJHL’s North Stars.
There are currently hundreds of volunteers across 40 communities in the province who administer KidSport in their own communities to help kids get off the sidelines and in the game. KidSport Battlefords has been a local chapter under KidSport Saskatchewan since 1998.
