Harper Government Helps Youth Be Active and Lead Healthy Lives

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 13, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today announced funding of up to $506,400 to AthletesCAN for its efforts to advance sport excellence and physical activity. This announcement was made at KidsCAN School Day, an event connecting 500 schoolchildren with athletes from Canada's national teams. This great day provided local youth with a chance to try a variety of sports and learn more about the importance of physical activity, goal setting, and healthy lifestyles.

"I would like to thank AthletesCAN for their continued dedication to sport leadership and for organizing exciting events like today to show our young Canadians why it is important to be active and healthy," said Minister of State Gosal. "This unique organization shares our Government's commitment to a fair and supportive sport system, and we are proud to work with them to provide valuable programs and services to support our national team athletes in their pursuit of excellence, while helping kids get involved in physical activities."

"Continued investment by the Government of Canada over the next two fiscal years represents a tangible investment in athletes and a commitment to build leadership capacity within sport," said Jasmine Northcott, Executive Director, AthletesCAN. "The funds enable AthletesCAN to support our national team athletes through effective representation and leadership education, both within sport and beyond the field of play. KidsCAN School Day is an excellent example of this investment in athlete leadership development and clearly demonstrates the positive impact that sport can have on our country's youth."

AthletesCAN is a not-for-profit multi-sport service organization that represents Canada's national team athletes. It is the only fully independent and the most inclusive athlete organization in the country, and the first of its kind in the world. As the collective voice of all national team athletes, AthletesCAN ensures an athlete-centred sport system by developing athlete leaders who influence sport policy and, as role models, inspire a strong sport culture.

The Government of Canada has supported AthletesCAN since 1997 and is providing total funding of up to $506,400 for the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 fiscal years through Sport Canada's Sport Support Program. This program aims to develop athletes and coaches at the highest international levels; provide sound technically based sport programming for all athletes; increase the number of Canadians from all segments of society involved in sport; and advance our country's interests and values here and abroad.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage