Thirty-eight local sport organizations and Aboriginal communities in northern B.C. are benefiting from grants of up to $5,000 each through the Northern Sport Strategy Initiative, announced Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Bill Bennett.

The $105,000 program is a one-time investment to support athlete and coach development for all northern B.C. residents in the lead-up to the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George. Funded by the government of B.C. and administered by viaSport, the program distributed funding to local sport clubs and Aboriginal groups for equipment related to any of the 35 winter and summer sports that are currently a part of the Canada Games.

The equipment grants are part of British Columbia's larger Northern Sport Strategy designed to maximize the benefits of the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George.

Quotes:

Bill Bennett, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development

"Sport is one of our province's great success stories, and we want to ensure that all British Columbians have the equipment they need to lead active, healthy lifestyles. That's why we're proud to support this program, which provides access to equipment throughout northern B.C. including to sport groups in isolated communities."

Moira Gookstetter, vice president, viaSport

"The Northern BC Sport Equipment Grant provides community groups with the support they need to grow their sport and further develop their athletes. This platform for funding will not only create a legacy for sport in the north following the 2015 Canada Winter Games, it will help sustain longer-term participation in sport and physical activity."

Quick Facts:

• Grants were restricted to groups in BC Games Zones 7 and 8: http://www.bcgames.org/dotnetnuke/Games/Zones/tabid/209/Default.aspx
• Funding is used for sport training equipment or equipment for use on field of play.
• 68 applications were received in total.

Learn More:

viaSport: http://www.viasport.ca/NSS.php

Backgrounder:http://stage.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/BACKGROUNDER_Northern_Equipment_Grant.pdf

Media Contacts:

Matt Gordon
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 896-4923

Amanda Brkich
Communications Manager
viaSport
778 331-8657