Ontario Invests in Youth Sports and Recreation Programs

The Ontario government has announced an investment of approximately $15.3 million aimed at enhancing access to sport and recreation programs for children and youth across the province. This funding is intended to support over 100 organizations that provide supervised activities for children and youth, including those with disabilities.

Key components of the funding include:

• $14.6 million allocated through Ontario's After School Program (ASP), which aims to help children and youth in over 80 communities engage in physical activities.
• $550,000 designated for Special Olympics Ontario to expand the Unified Sport Program, which promotes inclusive team sports for students with and without intellectual disabilities.
• $100,000 provided to Jays Care to enhance sports programming for girls and to train educators and coaches on promoting inclusion in sports.
• $59,000 allocated to Canadian Women & Sport to research the underrepresentation of girls and marginalized youth in sports and to assist school boards in addressing gender equity challenges.

The Ministry of Education is also contributing $709,000 to various organizations to promote equity in sport and activity. This funding is expected to create opportunities for children and youth to be more physically active and engaged, while also developing leadership skills.

Families interested in the After School Program can find more information through participating organizations. The government emphasizes the importance of physical and mental well-being for students, linking it to their overall academic success.