The Government of British Columbia has provided $151,250 to fund 36 Hosting BC grants for diverse sports competitions this year and in 2015, Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes said today.

Administered by ViaSport, a provincial non-profit leader in promoting sport and physical activity for every British Columbian, Hosting BC provides funding every year to help community sport organizations and provincial associations host competitive events.

Shared by 23 B.C. communities, the latest round of Hosting BC grants supports competitions representing a variety of sports, including hockey, curling, skiing, snowboarding, speed skating, cycling, soccer, baseball, basketball, volleyball and weightlifting.

Funded events include:

• $15,000 - 2014 Canadian Women’s Baseball Nationals, Surrey
• $12,500 - Canada Cup #1 and 2015 Canada Winter Games BC Long Track Team Selection (speed skating), Fort St. John
• $7,500 - U16 Can Am Western Championships (alpine skiing), Penticton
• $1,500 - Track Fest II (cycling), Victoria
• $1,250 - Kitimat/Kitamaat Cultural Warming (CW) Open Basketball Tournament

Funding also includes support for two test events for the Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games: $2,000 for the Trampoline Test Event and Training Camp and $1,000 for the Squash Test Event.

For a complete list of grant recipients, visit: http://www.viasport.ca/hosting-bc-grant-program

Since 2004, Hosting BC has invested $4.6 million, funded by the Government of British Columbia, in sports events in communities throughout the province, building B.C.’s reputation as a major sport-hosting destination. Sports events help sustain vibrant local economies. Sport tourism earns important revenues for local businesses and supports jobs in B.C. communities.

Since 2001, the Government of British Columbia has provided more than $1 billion to support sport in B.C., including over $50 million in 2014-15.

Quotes:

Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

"Hosting BC grants help make great things happen throughout the province. They provide B.C. athletes in diverse sports with excellent opportunities to compete. They attract thousands of visitors, help support local communities and inspire British Columbians to lead active, healthy lives. We will work with ViaSport to ensure that sport continues to succeed as a vital, positive force in British Columbia.”

Bill Woodley, vice-president, ViaSport -

“The Hosting BC grant program directly supports British Columbia’s goal of becoming a premier sport hosting destination, affording us the ability to bring some of the highest-level competition to communities across our province. Sport events are an important mechanism to bring more families to the field of play, more fans into the stands and more athletes to the podium, and ViaSport is proud to help make that happen.”

Quick Facts:

• Hosting BC funds competitive level events that support long-term athlete development plans for B.C.'s Provincial Sport Organizations.
• Grants typically range from $1,000 to $15,000 depending on the level of competition (e.g., provincial, regional, national, international).
• Applications for funding are reviewed by the Hosting BC Review Committee, comprised of leaders in the sport and tourism sectors.

Learn More:

For more information about applying for the next round of Hosting BC grants, opening in fall 2014, see: http://viasport.ca/hosting-bc-grant-program

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677

Michelle Hohne
Operations and Granting Manager
ViaSport
778 655-1756