The Province continues to help build local economies through sport by contributing more than $200,000 to support sport hosting events across British Columbia, announced Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Forty-six grants have been awarded to successful applicants who applied to Hosting BC in December. These grants are helping a wide range of events, from the 2012 Victoria International Rugby Sevens, to the Sledge Hockey Shoot Out. Events will take place in communities ranging from Aldergrove and Prince George to Port Alberni and Dawson Creek.

Hosting BC supports large sporting events and helps build B.C.'s reputation as a premier event hosting destination. Since 2004, close to $3.7 million in Hosting BC funding has been awarded to support 462 events in more than 45 communities throughout the province. In 2010-2011, more than 100 events were funded in more than 30 communities.

Quote:

Minister Ida Chong Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

"Hosting BC funds help provide to communities right across B.C. the opportunity to attract visitors from Canada and the world, and that supports the development of local businesses in sectors such as tourism, recreation and hospitality. Sport plays an important role in the health of B.C. families and our economy."

Quick Facts:

• Hosting BC funds competitive level events that support long-term athlete development plans for B.C.'s Provincial Sport Organizations.
• Grants range from $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the level of competition (e.g., provincial, regional, national, international).
• Hosting BC received 93 applications from 46 sports for events in 35 different communities in its December 2011 intake.
• Applications for funding are reviewed by the Hosting BC Review Committee, which is comprised of leaders in the sport and tourism sectors.

Learn More:

Hosting BC: http://www.hostingbc.ca/resources

B.C. government Sport Branch: http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/sport

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 208-4028

BACKGROUNDER

Projects funded by Hosting B.C. grants

Event: 2012 Yonex Canada Open
Sport: Badminton
Location: Richmond
Funding Amount Received: $10,000

Event: National Women's U18 Hockey 2012 & 2013
Sport: Hockey
Location: Dawson Creek
Funding Amount Received: $7,500

Event: 2012 World Cup BMX
Sport: BMX Cycling
Location: Abbotsford
Funding Amount Received: $7,500

Event: 2012 Canada Cup
Sport: Gymnastics
Location: Langley
Funding Amount Received: $7,500

Event: Victoria International Rugby Sevens
Sport: Rugby
Location: Victoria
Funding Amount Received: $7,500

Event: IPC Coupe NORAM Cup
Sport: Para Alpine Skiing
Location: Kimberley
Funding Amount Received: $7,500

Event: Scotiabank Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship
Sport: Softball
Location: Surrey
Funding Amount Received: $7,500

Event: 2012 14U-18U Provincial Championships
Sport: Volleyball
Location: Abbotsford
Funding Amount Received: $7,500

Event: 2013 Canadian National Ski Championships
Sport: Cross Country Skiing
Location: Whistler
Funding Amount Received: $7,500

Event: 2012 BCLA Minor Box Lacrosse Provincial Championships
Sport: Box Lacrosse
Locations: Port Coquitlam, Nanaimo, Richmond and Burnaby
Funding Amount Received: $7,500

Event: 75th Canadian Outdoor Archery Championships 2012
Sport: Archery
Location: Victoria
Funding Amount Received: $5,000

Event: 2010 Canadian National Goalball Championships
Sport: Goalball
Location: Vancouver
Funding Amount Received: $5,000

Event: The Harry Jerome International Track Classic
Sport: Athletics
Location: Burnaby
Funding Amount Received: $5,000

Event: FIS J1 Nationals
Sport: Alpine Skiing
Location: Whistler
Funding Amount Received: $5,000

Event: 2012 Canadian Short Track Championships
Sport: Short Track Speed Skating
Location: Richmond
Funding Amount Received: $5,000

Event: Canadian Open Synchronized Swimming Championships
Sport: Synchronized Swimming
Location: Victoria
Funding Amount Received: $5,000

Event: 2012 Youth Beach National Championships
Sport: Beach Volleyball
Location: Vancouver
Funding Amount Received: $5,000

Event: 18 U Women's Water Polo National Club Championships
Sport: Water Polo
Location: Kamloops
Funding Amount Received: $5,000

Event: 2012 National Wheelchair Basketball Championships for Men and Women
Sport: Wheelchair Basketball
Location: Richmond
Funding Amount Received: $5,000

Event: Male Under 16 BC Cup
Sport: Hockey
Location: West Kelowna
Funding Amount Received: $5,000

Event: Victoria International Track Classic
Sport: Athletics
Location: Victoria
Funding Amount Received: $5,000

Event: Rowing Canada Aviron National Rowing Championships
Sport: Adaptive Rowing
Location: Victoria
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: 2012 Western Region Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships
Sport: Rhythmic Gymnastics
Location: Burnaby
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: Western Canadian Fall T2T Short Track Championships
Sport: Short Track Speed Skating
Location: Prince George
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: 2012 ITF Taekwon-Do Western Canadian Championships
Sport: Taekwondo
Location: Coquitlam
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: BC Heritage Circuit Finals 2012
Sport: Equestrian
Location: Maple Ridge
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: 2012 Provincial High Performance Championship
Sport: Field Hockey
Location: Surrey
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: BC/YT Section (Provincial) Championships
Sport: Figure Skating
Location: Parksville
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: 2012 BC Junior Boys' Championship
Sport: Golf
Location: Gibsons
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: 2012 BC Gymnastics Championships
Sport: Gymnastics
Location: Kamloops
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: 2012 Youth Girls 'B' Cup, Provincial Championships
Sport: Soccer
Location: Kelowna
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: BC Soccer Boys Provincial Championships
Sport: Soccer
Location: Aldergrove
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: 2012 Yonex BC Senior Elite
Sport: Badminton
Location: Vancouver
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: Westcoast Curling Classic
Sport: Curling
Location: New Westminster
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan
Sport: Road Cycling
Location: Penticton
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: Zone 8 Championships and Prince George Invitational
Sport: Artistic Gymnastics
Location: Prince George
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: Sledge Hockey Shoot Out
Sport: Sledge Hockey
Location: Surrey
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: 2012 Pacific International
Sport: Judo
Location: Richmond
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: Coastal Cup
Sport: Power Soccer
Location: Surrey
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: Junior National Championship
Sport: Field Hockey
Location: Surrey
Funding Amount Received: $3,000

Event: Burnaby Lake Small Boat Invitational
Sport: Adaptive Rowing
Location: Burnaby
Funding Amount Received: $2,500

Event: Canadian National Olympic Trap Shooting Trials
Sport: Olympic Trap Shooting
Location: Richmond
Funding Amount Received: $2,500

Event: BC Wakeboard Tour with Wakeboard Provincials
Sport: Wakeboarding
Location: Port Alberni, Kamloops and Belcarra
Funding Amount Received: $2,500

Event: 2012 BC Youth Judo Championships & Training Camp
Sport: Judo
Location: Kamloops
Funding Amount Received: $2,500

Event: 2012 Provincial Water Ski Championships
Sport: Water Skiing
Location: Williams Lake
Funding Amount Received: $2,500

Event: All Native Basketball Tournament
Sport: Basketball
Location: Prince Rupert
Funding Amount Received: $2,500

Contact:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 208-4028