Greater Trail’s blossoming KidSport program received a shot in the arm from the NHL Players Association (NHLPA) this month.
The NHLPA’s Goals and Dreams Fund, through KidSportBC, selected Trail as one of three communities to receive five brand new complete sets of hockey gear.
Greater Trail’s KidSport volunteer board is hoping to identify five youths who would benefit most from the project by the end of July deadline.
“It’s really a simple thing but our challenge is to get the word out,” said KidSport vice-chair Gord Menelaws.
But finding people to access opportunities like Goals and Dreams Fund can be difficult. Trail Minor Hockey has a fund specifically intended for families whose kids might not otherwise play due to financial constraints, but it is rarely used, said Menelaws.
“These (projects) are here to support kids,” said KidSport chair Betty Anne Marino. “If you know of a child that may be growing out of their equipment or might not play because their families can’t afford this, we want to help.”
The Goals and Dreams fund has supplied KidSportBC with equipment for the past six years, and with Trail’s local chapter just having formed, the selection is a welcome gesture.
Organizers like Marino and Menelaws are encouraging residents to either apply or recommend a family that may need a little extra help. All applicants will remain strictly confidential but applications for Goals and Dreams must be submitted before July 30.
“Confidentiality is key,” says Menelaws. If people want to put a name forward their identity will not be released even to the family that benefits from the project.
As for KidSport Greater Trail, applications will be available in early August for local families to access funds to help pay for sports registration.
“We want kids that want to play sports, to be able to play without there being a stigma,” said Marino.
KidSport will allocate as much as $200 per child per year to pay for registration for any legitimate sporting activity.
Since its launch, KidSport Trail has received financial support from business, municipalities, and non-profit organizations.
On Sept. 15 KidSport is hosting an information social at the Warfield Hall for sports organizations and sponsors to interact and learn more about the program.
For more information or to apply for the Goals and Dreams Fund contact Trish Davison, KidSport treasurer and Parks and Rec director at the Trail Aquatic Centre, 364-0852.