Twenty communities across the province are receiving new equipment and resources as part of a pilot project that encourages children to get physically active and have fun, Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors Minister Jim Rondeau announced.
“One of the most important opportunities that should be available for a child is participating in active play, sports and recreation with their friends and in their community,” said Rondeau. “Our investment goes beyond equipment because our goal is to build a life-long interest in physical activity, sport and wellness for these children.”
As part of the project, participating communities are receiving a Canadian Tire Jumpstart Kids Activity Kit and will hold a minimum of 10 activity sessions for children from lower-income families. The kits are provided at no cost to qualifying communities and include new sport and recreation equipment and an informative resource guide. It’s expected that over 500 children will participate in this new project. Afterwards, communities will keep the equipment and resources to continue to run programs that encourage healthy, active choices.
Manitoba is the first province in Canada chosen to partner with Canadian Tire Jumpstart on this important initiative, said Rondeau.
“We are excited to partner with the Government of Manitoba to provide the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Kids Activity Kit because it provides free equipment to organizations that have limited resources to get and keep kids involved in sport or recreation,” said Dan Thompson, president of Canadian Tire Jumpstart. “At Canadian Tire Jumpstart we believe that all kids should have the right to play and be active regardless of their economic situation. Our partnership with Manitoba Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors is helping break down those barriers and will make a real difference in the lives of kids today across the province.”
Each community will receive a customized equipment kit, based on the activities they’ve chosen. Activities can be played indoors and outdoors and do not require specialized facilities. The kits will include equipment like:
• basketballs and basketball nets;
• yoga mats;
• soccer balls, footballs and rugby balls;
• compasses and flags for orienteering; and
• parachutes and juggling kits.
Manitoba has provided $50,000 toward this pilot project, which may be expanded across the country if successful here. This initiative is a joint partnership between Canadian Tire Jumpstart, Manitoba Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors and Manitoba in motion.
This initiative builds on the Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures task force report, which recommended improved access to recreation for all children, particularly those from lower-income families.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart is a national, charitable program that helps kids aged four to 18 with financial need to participate in organized sports and recreation. The program helps cover the cost of registration, equipment and/or transportation. Since its launch in February 2005, Canadian Tire Jumpstart has helped give more than 216,000 Canadian kids the chance to play.
