April 5th, 2017BC Games and The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development announce a new program for athletes, coaches and organizations

April 4, 2017

NEWS RELEASE
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
BC Games Society

Sport fund launched with $50,000 in matching provincial funds

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.

Quotes:
Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development -
"Athletes, coaches, communities and sport fans know the impact that the BC Summer and Winter Games have on individuals and the Government of B.C.'s investment is a catalyst for the Powering Potential Fund. This is an opportunity to show the continued impact investment can have on our B.C. athletes and I commend BC Games for showing leadership in driving this campaign forward."

Kelly Mann, BC Games Society, President and CEO -
"Providing opportunities for individuals and communities is the basis for this fund. By providing dollars by way of a bursary or a grant, athletes and coaches can grow in their sport, while communities can become hubs for sport development and growth. Powering potential is one more way the BC Games can add value to the provincial sport sector and the cities in which we are hosted."

Simon Whitfield, Olympian, BC Games Society Board Member -
"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."

Wendy Lachance, Coast Capital Savings, Director of Community Leadership -
"Coast Capital Savings is excited to support the Powering Potential Fund, an initiative we see as a natural fit with our community promise of helping build a richer future for youth. We look forward to continuing to foster the partnership we have developed with the BC Games Society in the years ahead, bringing together thousands of athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and spectators in celebration of sport and community excellence in our province."

Quick Facts:

The Province will match individual and organizational donations up to a total of $50,000.
The BC Games Society received approval from the National Sport Trust Fund to create the Powering the Potential Fund in January 2017.
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.
Coast Capital Savings has contributed $15,000 to the fund as its first donation.
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/

Donations to the Powering Potential Fund can be made by contacting the BC Games Society or by donating online: https://app.etapestry.com/cart/SportBC/default/item.php? ref=1181.0.214715405

Contacts:
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 356-6334

Lia Threlfall
BC Games Society 250 812-3887
liat@bcgames.org