聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 Every youth deserves to participate in extracurricular activities. Locally Carlyle and Area KidSport intends to do just that as they work towards ensuring youth from the area are able to participate.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Statistics from KidSport show that in Canada show that more than 30 percent of Canadian youth under the age of 18 are unable to afford to play organized sport.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Their Mission Statement reads: 鈥淲e believe that no kid should be left on the sidelines and all should be given the opportunity to experience the positive benefits of organized sports. KidSport provides support to children in order to remove financial barriers that prevent them from playing organized sport.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The not-for-profit organization focuses on providing financial assistance for registration fees and equipment to kids that are aged 18 and under. A confidential application process ensures that kids in need are given the support to participate.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The Carlyle and Area KidSport chapter encompasses the communities of Carlyle, Arcola, Manor, and White Bear.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淜idSport believes in the values and benefits of kids playing organized sport and we know that sport will provide them with the opportunity to: become physically active, improve their self-esteem and self-confidence, learn life-long skills, improve their academic performance, make new friends, share and celebrate their culture, and contribute to a strong and healthy community.鈥� ~ www.kidsportcanada.ca
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Locally Carlyle and Area KidSport has been in operation since 2003.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e have supported kids by covering the cost of registration fees for them to take parts in activities approved by KidSport Saskatchewan,鈥� Shelley Sargent. 鈥淲e have collected some used hockey equipment and figure skates over the years that families can access as well if needed and if we have the right size available.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淥ver the years we have paid registrations fees for the following activities: Soccer, Swimming, Baseball, Softball, Hockey, Figure Skating, Karate, Football, and Gymnastics.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Over the past four years, Sargent explained that in 2014 they received 25 applications totaling $5,100, in 2015 there were 22 applications which covered $4,916, in 2016 there were 24 applications which covered $6,045 of costs for kids, and this year there have been 23 applications totaling $4,485.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淸We] have received an additional 18 applications this fall waiting approval totaling an additional $6,695,鈥� Sargent added.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 She further explained, 鈥淲e receive a yearly operating and allocation grant from KidSport Saskatchewan. The majority of the funds come through local donations and/or fundraising opportunities.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Thus, the Carlyle PureChem Cougars organizing a guaranteed 50/50 for $5,000 is a huge help in ensuring youth in the area are able to participate.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淚 will be at the game on Nov. 3,鈥� Sargent added. 鈥淲e plan to have a KidSport tent set up and will have some giveaways for the kids such as stickers, balloons, tattoos, and Frisbees.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 For Sargent, she has been a part of it since 2003, 鈥淲e have had various people give their time over the years to be a part of Carlyle KidSport. I have been fortunate to recruit a couple of new committee members, but would invite anyone interested in joining our committee to please let me know. It is a great opportunity to get involved in helping to support the youth and families of Carlyle and area.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 So, come on out to the Carlyle PureChem Cougars 2017/18 season opener on Friday, Nov. 3, against the Arcola Combines. Admission is FREE! So come on out and enjoy the game, while supporting two local teams, and KidSport.
