Over the past five years Calgary and Area KidSport has seen the need for its services double in Cochrane.
Last year, 112 young athletes were granted assistance for registration fees to play their sport of choice and executive director Kevin Webster said KidSport is on pace to surpass that total this year with 30 recipients already on the books – a 13 per cent increase from last year.
Despite that need, the organization that has been helping youth access sporting opportunities for the past 24 years, has yet to secure a Cochrane-based partner.
"We have no partners in Cochrane, so that's an area of interest for us," said Webster, emphasizing that all of Kidsport's funding comes from donations or grants. "A majority of the funds going to kids in Cochrane is being raised in other communities."
KidSport funding provides up to $375 to families per child per year dependent on income. The money is paid directly to the sport organization to cover eligible fees.
"We use the federal government's threshold for low income cutoff," said Webster about how families prove need.
Throughout Calgary and Area KidSport's region, Webster said need has been steadily increasing by about 10 to 15 per cent per year, which he attributes to increased awareness, population growth and the economy.
As a fundraising charity, KidSport relies on donations to be able to meet the need and last year Webster said the organization had to dip into "a good chunk" of its reserves and is looking to raise $2.3 million this year to ensure it can cover the growing costs.
Webster added that after two good fundraising years in 2016 and 2017, donations were down a bit last year and the organization is looking to get out and knock on more doors in hopes of attracting additional funds.
"We just need to get creative," he said, adding a Cochrane partner would be beneficial.
"They can contact our office and let's have a conversation about what the right fit is," he said.
Webster added the opportunities KidSport offers to youth is invaluable.
"The health benefits speak for themselves," he said. "There are also the friendships and life skills that are well documented."
Webster said sport has always helped youth, especially those at risk, make good decisions, develop leadership skills and gain exposure to positive role models.
For more information on Calgary and Area KidSport, go to http://www.kidsportcanada.ca/alberta/calgary.
