Every Kid Can Play keeping sports affordable
Alberta families and non-profit organizations can now apply for funding from the Every Kid Can Play program.
Sports play an important role in the early stages of a child’s life. They teach teamwork, build confidence and promote healthy lifestyles that can last well into adulthood. Unfortunately, registration fees can make participation in sports unaffordable for too many families.
Albertans can now apply for funding from the Every Kid Can Play program to access affordable sport, physical activity and recreation programs for children and teens. To support the program’s success, Alberta’s government is providing $3 million to KidSport Alberta to subsidize registration costs for families that are struggling financially.
“Sport and recreation opportunities should be affordable and accessible for all, especially young children and youth. We are committed to supporting initiatives that makes access easier for families, helping to build healthy and fit communities through sport and recreation.”
Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport
“Every child and youth deserves an opportunity to play and enjoy the fun activities they love. Through Every Kid Can Play, Alberta’s government is reducing the financial barriers to play and making sure kids can enjoy the full benefits of sports and recreation.”
Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services
Introduced in Budget 2023 with a commitment of $8 million, the Every Kid Can Play program is funded by the Government of Alberta and administered in part by KidSport Alberta. The program increases access and affordability for families across Alberta with kids and teens participating in sports and recreational activities. Through KidSport Alberta, families can apply for support to offset registration fees.
Provincial and community non-profit organizations can apply for grant funding to increase access to sports and recreation programs. Every Kid Can Play is expected to provide direct financial support to more than 8,500 children and youth and support up to 200 child and youth-focused community-level programs throughout Alberta. Applications are now open.
“The benefits of sport extend beyond the field and too many families miss out on the social, mental, emotional and physical health benefits of physical activity due to financial barriers. With the support of the Government of Alberta, KidSport is determined to give every child and youth the opportunity to find and reclaim the joy of sport. The Every Kid Can Play program will provide equal access to sports in our province and drive lasting change for kids, their families and communities.”
Kelly Oehlerking, Executive Director, KidSport Alberta
“Every day I see the physical, social and emotional benefits of sport participation and I applaud our government for launching this program. This program will not only support individual participation, by making programming more affordable and accessible, it will also strengthen the MNP Community & Sport Centre through increased use, thus extending the reach and benefit of the program.”
Jeff Booke, CEO, MNP Community and Sport Centre
Quick facts
- Applications open on July 18 for both families applying for government support through KidSport, and communities and provincial non-profit organizations that provide sport and recreation programs, applying on the Government of Alberta’s website.
- KidSport Alberta will administer grants of up to $350 per child registration to eligible families to assist with program costs for sport programs across the province. The family income eligibility is the federal low-income cut-off guideline plus 50 per cent.
- The deadline for non-profit organization applications is Sept. 30.
- The $8 million in funding is broken down as follows:
- $3 million to help eligible families to offset registration fees.
- $3 million for grants to provincial scope non-profit organizations.
- $2 million for grants to community-level non-profit organizations.
Related information
Related news
- Helping more children and youth get into sport (Apr 24, 2023)
Multimedia
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.