TORONTO, October 24, 2024 – Today, the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO), announced that 34 coaches and community sport organizations have been selected as recipients of the 2024 Community Coaching Grant, with funding provided by Hydro One Inc. (Hydro One). This is the fourth consecutive year of the initiative that was created to provide essential funding to help keep sports accessible, affordable and safe.
This year, the CAO received more than 400 grant applications from within Ontario’s sport community, the most since its creation in 2021. Each of the recipients will receive up to $1,000 to cover expenses such as new equipment and safety training.
Among the recipients, the Mentoring Junior Kids Organization (MJKO) Boxing, a Toronto-based charity providing free programming for youth under 18, used this year’s grant to acquire new protective head guards and gear.
“This grant is vital to keeping our youth safe and engaged,” says MJKO coach Ibrahim Kamal. “The Community Coaching Grant empowers us to create safe spaces where young people can engage, learn, and connect together, building relationships and life skills along the way.”
“At the CAO, we are dedicated to empowering the one in seven adult Ontarians who coach with the resources they need to effectively support athletes and participants,” said Jeremy Cross, Executive Director of the Coaches Association of Ontario. “We are immensely grateful for our ongoing partnership with Hydro One, which enables coaches at all levels to connect with the tools necessary to serve their communities effectively and safely.”
Since the launch of the grant, 140 coaches and organizations from 69 communities across Ontario have benefitted from this funding. The 2024 Community Coaching Grant recipients will implement initiatives that include covering costs for registration, travel fees, essential training aids and protective equipment, and education training for coaches.
“Sports and coaches are essential in shaping a brighter future for youth,” said Lisa Pearson, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Hydro One. “We are proud to support the coaches and organizations working to make sports safer and more inclusive. We deeply appreciate the dedication of all coaches to their athletes, teams, and communities. Congratulations to the grant recipients.”
The grant is a key component of Safe Sport 101, a partnership between Hydro One and CAO established in 2020. This initiative aims to equip coaches with the tools necessary to make sports safe, fun and inclusive for all participants. Safe Sport 101 also features a virtual hub offering free safety resources, including an eight-part eLearning series and downloadable materials.Hydro One’s Community Investment program focuses on building safe communities in Ontario. The company supports programs, events and initiatives that focus on safety training and safe play.
For more information about the Community Coaching Grant and a full list of recipients, visit https://safesport101.coachesontario.ca/grant.
For further information:Contact Hydro One Media Relations 24 hours a day at 1-877-506-7584 (toll-free in Ontario only) or 416-345-6868.
Contact Coaches Association of Ontario, Eric McLoughlin, Senior Lead Events & Partnerships, 416-426-7005, ericm@coachesontario.ca.
Funding to help keep sports accessible, affordable & safe
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