More than 12,000 students across 46 schools positively impacted by grant program since inception
TORONTO (June 23, 2025) – In celebration of Olympic Day, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) announced the 30 schools that received the 2025 edition of the Team Canada Olympic Day Grant.
The Team Canada Olympic Day Grant provides funding for school-based programs and projects that empower students to play and stay in sport and create safe and positive sporting experiences. This grant is part of the COC’s organization-wide commitment to making sport safe, inclusive and barrier-free through the Team Canada Impact Agenda.
Now in its third year, the grant has provided a total of $186,000 to programs in 46 schools across all ten provinces and three territories, supporting more than 12,000 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
The 2025 school recipients and their programs are:
Alberta Heritage Language School (Edmonton, Alta.) – Mentorship and leadership training to empower participants, foster confidence, belonging and resilience
Aqsarniit Middle School (Iqaluit, Nvt.) – Wellness facility in Iqaluit’s only middle school, providing Indigenous youth with free access to fitness equipment, nutrition education, and wellness programs.
Birchwood Intermediate (Charlottetown, P.E.I) – Workshops educating staff and students on inclusivity, conflict resolution and diverse needs in sport as well as peer mentorship.
Blue Heron Public School (Cambridge, Ont.) – Introducing cricket as a safe, inclusive sport to increase student participation in physical activities.
Bradford District High School (Bradford, Ont.) – Introducing cricket as a co-curricular and physical education activity across 10 schools, providing transportation, coaching clinics, refereeing and equipment
D.A. Ferguson Middle School (Taber, Alta.) – Expanding winter outdoor sports by adding skis to diversify activities, boost student participation and foster inclusivity
Dakota Collegiate (Winnipeg, Man.) – Providing lacrosse sticks, hockey gear, and other essential sports equipment to ensure equity-deserving students have the resources needed to fully participate in high school sports programs.
Deh Gah School (Fort Providence, N.W.T.) – After-school program supporting high school students in skill development, general training and safe sport practices, with a special focus on Indigenous youth.
Don Ross Middle School (Squamish, B.C.) – Expanded access to sport climbing for students with free gear, certified training and climbing experiences.
École Laurier (Montreal, Que.) – Promoting resilience, inclusion, and physical activity through accessible skateboarding programs and safe, supportive environments.
École Régionale de Saint-André (Saint-André, N.B.) – Providing essential safety equipment for hockey and street hockey.
École Régionale Saint-Basile (Edmundston, N.B.) – Introducing curling in the gym to engage all Grade 6–8 students in a fun, inclusive, and low-barrier Olympic sport.
École Secondaire LaVoie (Montreal, Que.) – Providing skates and helmets to help inner-city students, many of whom are newcomers to Canada, learn to skate safely and confidently.
Fort McMurray Composite High School (Fort McMurray, Alta.) – Expanding diverse sports opportunities with new equipment to engage all students, especially those from underserved and diverse backgrounds.
Happy Thought School (East Selkirk, Man.) – Introducing adapted volleyball to Grades 3 and 4 through inclusive, skill-building programs that boost early confidence and lifelong participation in sport.
Helen Kalvak Elihakvik School (Ulukhaktok, N.W.T.) – A modern wrestling room inspired by traditional Inuit kalgiks, offering space for both Inuit and modern wrestling styles.
Humboldt Public School (Humboldt, Sask.) – Intramural programs, an activity club and diverse sport workshops that boost student participation especially for students from low-income backgrounds.
Kennebecasis Valley High School (Quispamsis, N.B.) – Inter-school, inclusive sport days and workshops, targeting students with physical or emotional challenges.
LaSalle Elementary Senior (Montreal, Que.) – Expanding a beloved school-wide obstacle course to engage all Grade 3–6 students in fun, inclusive physical challenges that promote teamwork, confidence, and lifelong movement.
Lasalle Secondary School (Sudbury, Ont.) – Building a school ski fleet to remove financial barriers and get more Grade 7/8 students active outdoors through cross country skiing.
Limestone District School Board (Kingston, Ont.) – Training senior athletes to deliver human rights and True Sport principles presentations, empowering students to intervene and report violations.
Maple Wood Public School (Mississauga, Ont.) – Supplying specialized sports and fitness equipment enabling participation while supporting mental health and physical literacy.
McCrosson Tovell School (Rainy River, Ont.) – Providing K–3 students in remote Northwestern Ontario with access to skating, hockey, ringette, curling, basketball and scooter play through new equipment used in both gym class and a community outdoor rink.
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (Thorold, Ont.) – Equipment for inclusive, accessible sports through a winter intramural program for Grades 4-8.
Raymore School (Raymore, Sask.) – Expanding the school’s archery program by purchasing 3D targets, new bows, and training additional instructors.
St. Sebastian Elementary School (London, Ont.) – Introducing cricket and table tennis for students, creating a welcoming environment for newcomer students where they can share their cultural sports with peers.
Van Walleghem (Winnipeg, Man.) – Teaching new immigrants and Indigenous students to skate and cross-country ski.
West Heights Elementary School (Mission, B.C.) – Supplying field lacrosse nets and eliminating equipment barriers, with a focus on Indigenous inclusion and safe, school-day access.
Wood Street Centre (Whitehorse, Y.K.) – Teaching vital bike repair skills, fostering independence and reducing barriers to cycling in rural Yukon.
Woodland Elementary (Dildo, N.L.) – Introducing accessible snowshoeing to promote outdoor winter activity, inclusivity, and environmental appreciation among elementary students
The grant is inspired by Olympic Day, celebrated each year on June 23 to commemorate the founding of the modern Olympic Games. Olympic Day aims to promote the values of Olympism, encourage participation in sports, and foster a sense of unity and friendship among people worldwide.
For more information on the COC’s Olympic Education programs and the Team Canada Olympic Day Grant, please visit https://olympic.ca/education/.
QUOTES
“As a parent, I’ve seen how much passion and creative thinking schools bring to creating meaningful sport experiences for their students. But so many of these programs face barriers, not from a lack of vision, but from a lack of resources. That’s why grants like the Team Canada Olympic Day Grant matter. We are proud to invest in schools to help them bring their ideas to life and ensure more young people can discover, play and stay in sport.“
– David Shoemaker, COC’s Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General
“The Team Canada Olympic Day Grant will open doors for our students, allowing them to explore new sports, celebrate diverse cultures and create a more inclusive school community. By providing opportunities to play games like cricket and table tennis, we’re not only fostering physical activity but also empowering newcomers to share their heritage with pride. The impact will extend far beyond this year, as the equipment and experiences will continue to enrich our Physical Education program for years to come.”
– St. Sebastian Elementary School
READ MORE: 2023 recipients | 2024 recipients
ABOUT OLYMPIC DAY
Established in 1948, Olympic Day is a cornerstone of the Olympic Movement and is celebrated by approximately 110 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and hundreds of thousands of people of all ages and abilities around the world.
This global initiative is celebrated on June 23rd each year to commemorate the founding of the modern Olympic Games. The day is marked by various sporting events, activities, and educational programs organized by Olympic committees, sports organizations, and communities to engage individuals of all ages and abilities.
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Samantha Sokol
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