KidSport Ontario, Forzani Group and OFSAA announce partnership

KIDSPORT ONTARIO AND FORZANI GROUP ANNOUNCE $100,000
PARTNERSHIP TO GET LESS ADVANTAGED KIDS MORE ACTIVE
THROUGH SPORT
TORONTO, Friday, November 12, 2010 – KidSport Ontario together with the Forzani Group have
announced a partnership that will help kids who are less advantaged have the opportunity to
play sports. Through Forzani’s the Power of Sport for Kids program, KidSport has received
$100,000 to assist with grants directly to kids, equipment purchases for kids in need and to help
promote the importance of sport for all kids through the KidSport FunZone.
“KidSport provides an important resource to children who are less advantaged,” explains Dawn
MacDonald, Executive Director, KidSport Ontario. “Essentially we put the money directly into the
hands of the family which allows their children to participate in sport. Our partnership with the
Power of Sport for Kids and Forzani, will enable us to support hundreds of kids who otherwise
would not have had the opportunity to play sports,” stated MacDonald.
As part of the partnership KidSport Ontario has been able to leverage an additional partnership
with the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA). OFSAA will provide funding,
which will then be matched by KidSport and Forzani up to a total of $25,000 to ensure high
school sports are accessible to all kids.
“Every year it becomes more costly to fund high school sports” said Doug Gellatly, Executive
Director of OFSAA. “Funding sources are shrinking at the high school level and kids are now
expected to pay for costs that once were covered by the school. We are delighted to partner
with these two great organizations,” he said.
Krista Selfridge, District Manager for Forzani was on hand along with her Store Management
team, during the KidSport annual conference to present the cheque to KidSport. “We believe
that together with KidSport Ontario, we can make a significant impact on the health and
wellness of children in need living across Ontario. Our support will enable more children to
participate in the sport, activity or play that they otherwise may not have access to” stated
Selfridge.
Parents can visit www.kidsportcanada.ca for more details on the granting program and the
KidSport FunZone.

About KidSport:
KidSport Ontario provides grant assistance to children 18 years and younger who are facing
financial barriers preventing them from taking part in organized sport. Grants range from $50 to
$250 and go towards registration and/or equipment costs. In 2009 over 60,000 kids across the
country were supported by KidSport grants. For more information please visit
www.kidsportcanada.ca/ontario.
About OFSAA:
OFSAA is a federation of 18 regional school athletic associations geographically spread across
the province. Comprised of student-athletes, teacher-coaches, principals, and sport
administrators all committed to the philosophy of education through school sport, OFSAA
provides provincial championships for student-athletes, as well as programming that enhances
school sport in Ontario. For more information visit www.ofsaa.on.ca.
About Forzani:
The Forzani Group Ltd. (FGL) is Canada’s largest national retailer of sporting goods, offering a
comprehensive assortment of brand-name and private-brand products, operating stores from
coast to coast. Their banner stores include Sport Chek, Sport Mart, National Sports, Athletes
World, Atmosphere and Hockey Experts.
About The Power Of Sport for Kids:
The Power of Sport for Kids is a nationwide program created to recognize groups and
organizations that support at-risk or disadvantaged children and youth (between the ages of 5
to 18) who would benefit from the infusion of sports and activity in their lives. Sport Chek stores’
fundraising initiatives provide the funds for a variety of sports equipment and accessories that will
have the greatest impact to the children.
For more information, contact:
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Dawn MacDonald, Executive Director KidSport Ontario
416-426-7208
dawnm@kidsportcanada.ca
dmacdonald@sportalliance.com