New Westminster is one of the only cities in Metro Vancouver that doesn't have its own local chapter of KidSport, and Chris Wilson and Sandon Fraser are looking to change that.
Wilson, a former Olympic wrestler who finished eighth at the Barcelona Olympics, is currently involved with KidSport Tri-Cities, and he's helping some Royal City residents as they try to establish KidSport New Westminster.
"There's a keen group of volunteers in New Westminster," said Wilson. "Seven or eight volunteers have met twice already, and our goal is to establish a chapter by the summer and have enough money to start funding local kids."
KidSport operates on a mission statement that no child should be left on the sidelines.
KidSport provides support to children in order to remove financial barriers that prevent them from playing organized sport.
Wilson pointed out that kids should be given the opportunity to develop healthy lifestyles, no matter the financial, physical or language barriers that may exist.
He added that physical activity helps encourage children to maintain healthy habits throughout their whole lives.
The challenges that come with playing sports also teach children valuable life lessons and skills including leadership, practice, hard work, dedication and self-confidence.
The lack of a local New Westminster chapter doesn't mean local kids have been left on the sidelines.
According to Wilson, the regional office of KidSport, based out by the airport, typically helps about 90 kids in the Royal City each year, and local sports organizations also help their own.
For example, New Westminster minor lacrosse helped more than 30 families in the Royal City last year, with KidSport helping another seven families.
"I think that says a lot that the local organizations are helping their own members," said Wilson.
"Sometimes that means waiving fees, and sometimes that means paying for registration, but it shows there is community support and children are being helped."
Sandon Fraser's day job is with New Westminster parks, recreation and culture, but outside the job, as a volunteer, he has seen first-hand how effective KidSport can be.
"I'm involved with Coquitlam Little League baseball, and I've seen families benefit," said Fraser. "That's why we want to get a KidSport chapter started in New Westminster."
Fraser said a local chapter makes it easier for parents and families to get funding support.
"If a child is interested in a sport, there's no reason why money should be the reason why he or she " doesn't participate," said Fraser. "A lot of families don't know what subsidies are available to them, so a local chapter of KidSport raises the awareness."
As Wilson and Fraser try to get KidSport New Westminster up and running, the key things they are looking for are people and money.
"We're looking for a few more volunteers," said Wilson. "And we'd also like groups that are fundraising to consider us as a recipient."
Wilson said he has a lot on his plate with KidSport Tri-Cities, but getting a Royal City chapter going is very important to him.
"I've seen the impact it's had in the Tri-Cities," he said. "I'd love for that to happen in New Westminster."
"We want to get momentum going so that we're up-and-running by summer and funding kids by the fall," said Fraser.
In the Tri-Cities during the past four years, KidSport Tri-Cities has helped 1,425 children, issuing $251,671 in funds.
In 2011, Wilson said their local chapter issued approximately $100,000, with 500 kids benefiting.
In Burnaby, KidSport Burnaby operates out of 101-4946 Canada Way and was launched in 2001, with a donation from the Keith and Betty Beedie Foundation.
In the 11 years since, KidSport Burnaby has supported more than 1,800 Burnaby children.
For more information on the Burnaby chapter, call 6042947111, email [email protected] or go to www.kidsportburnaby.com.
People interested in getting involved with the starting up of KidSport New Westminster can contact Wilson at 604-341-0241 or [email protected].
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