May 5, 2022, – WINNIPEG, MB – KidSport Manitoba is proud to announce a new partnership with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, that will allow even more kids to get off the sidelines and into the game. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are joining KidSport’s Corporate Champion Program as the official sponsor of football grants in Manitoba. 

“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to work towards our vision of a province where all children have the opportunity to participate in sport,” said  Janet McMahon, President & CEO of Sport Manitoba. “Returning to sport after living through a global pandemic is crucial for the physical and mental well-being of the youth in Manitoba. Thanks to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers even more kids will be about to experience the joys and triumphs of organized sport this year.”

Part of ensuring that all kids have the chance to play, is having the funding available to administer grants. Last year, 109 kids from across the province received a KidSport grant to play football. Football is the fourth highest funded sport in Manitoba after soccer, hockey, and gymnastics. With the rising cost of sport and the financial strains many families are experiencing because of the pandemic, KidSport anticipates the requests for funding will increase over the next year. Now, with the support of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, KidSport can strive to meet the growing demand for football grants. 

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are long-standing supporters of the community both on and off the field. The club’s community programs focus on youth and address key areas including youth football, education, and leading healthy, active lives. “Supporting and growing youth football in the community is a core mandate of our club,” said Wade Miller, President & CEO of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. “This partnership will provide youth with more opportunities to access tackle and flag football, helping them learn the basics of the game while building confidence and staying active.”

KidSport believes all kids should have the opportunity to develop healthy lifestyles, no matter the financial barriers that may exist. Staying physically active 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, dedication, and self-confidence. Through the power of organized sport, we enable kids and our communities to come together and thrive.

KidSport is a national not-for-profit organization. Its provincial and regional chapters provide financial assistance for registration fees so that all kids aged 18 and under can play a season of sport. In 2021, KidSport Manitoba granted $188,528, to 789 kids across the province. 

About
Sport Manitoba is a not-for-profit organization and the lead planning, programming and funding agency for the development of amateur sport in Manitoba. Located at 145 Pacific Avenue in Winnipeg, Sport Manitoba partners with over 100 organizations to deliver sport in the province and is responsible for programs including the Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro, Sport Manitoba Coaching, Team Manitoba, Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, Fit Kids Healthy Kids, and KidSport. Services provided include the Sport Manitoba Clinic, Sport Manitoba Performance, Sport Manitoba Fitness Centre, and the Paul Robson Resource Centre for Leadership and Coaching. 

KidSport is a national charity administered in Manitoba by Sport Manitoba which provides support to children in order to remove financial barriers that prevent them from playing organized sport. KidSport believes that no kid should be left on the sidelines and all should be given the opportunity to experience the positive benefits of organized sports. 

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a professional football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Founded in 1930 as the Winnipeg Football Club, the Blue Bombers are members of the West Division of the Canadian Football League and play their home games at IG Field. The Club has won the league’s Grey Cup Championship 12 times since its inception, including recent back-to-back championships in 2019 and 2021.  -30-
For more information please contact:
Cassidy Nicholls
Provincial Coordinator
KidSport Manitoba
204-293-3012
cassidy.nicholls@sportmanitoba.ca

Sarah Tone
Communications Coordinator
Sport Manitoba
431-778-5796
sarah.tone@sportmanitoba.ca

Darren Cameron
Senior Director of Player & Public Relations
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
P 204-784-7422   C 204-292-9587
dcameron@bluebombers.com