The Canadian Paralympic Committee and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities Partner to Help Kids with a Disability Get Involved in Sport and Recreation

OTTAWA, Sept. 24, 2013 /CNW/ - Building on the strategic partnership announced earlier this year with the Canadian Tire Family of Companies, today the Canadian Paralympic Committee and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities announced the start of a new fund that will help more kids to get in the game.

The two organizations invite Canadian sport and community groups to apply for the inaugural Parasport Jumpstart Fund. The Fund, which is also supported by the Government of Canada's Sport Support Program, will help cover the costs of sports and recreational programs for children between the ages of four and 18, who are financially disadvantaged and living with a disability.

"The Parasport Jumpstart Fund is a great initiative that will help more Canadian children with a disability get involved in organized and recreational sports," said François Robert, Executive Director of Partnerships for the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "Jumpstart's investment in grassroots sports programming is exactly what is needed to help grow parasport opportunities across the country."

The Parasport Jumpstart Fund is intended to support the creation of a new program or go towards the expansion of an existing successful initiative. Funds may be used towards registration, transportation and equipment costs for children within approved parasport programs.

"Supporting the Parasport Jumpstart Fund will provide opportunities for young Canadians with disabilities to get involved in and develop through sport," said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). "Our Government is proud to play a leading role in the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport by supporting programs such as this. Our hope is that one day Canada will reap the benefits of this fund by seeing our youth become athletes who proudly wear the maple leaf on the international stage."

"We are very excited to launch this fund in partnership with the Canadian Paralympic Committee so we can provide even more kids the chance to experience the benefits of organized sport and recreation," said Johnny Misley, President of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. "Organized sport and recreational activities teach young people critical life skills such as confidence and teamwork. Teaming up with the Canadian Paralympic Committee will allow us to assist families who have children with a disability to get active in their community."

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities will be accepting applications to the Parasport Jumpstart Fund beginning September 25, 2013 and closing October 29, 2013. Funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

For information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit: www.paralympic.ca/jumpstart

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee
The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 25 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic Movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the world's leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian high performance athletes with a disability and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca

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About Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is a national charitable program dedicated to providing financially disadvantaged kids with the opportunity to experience the benefits of organized sport and recreation. With an extensive, national network of more than 332 local chapters, Jumpstart helps kids in communities across Canada by covering the costs associated with registration, equipment and/or transportation.

Supported by the Canadian Tire Family of Companies, which includes Canadian Tire Retail, PartSource, Gas+, Sport Chek, Atmosphere, Mark's and Canadian Tire Financial Services, Jumpstart has enabled more than 600,000 Canadian kids and counting to get in the game since 2005. For more information or to lend your support, visit www.jumpstart.canadiantire.ca

About Sport Canada's Sport Support Program
The Sport Support Program (SSP) is the primary funding vehicle for national level initiatives associated with the delivery of the Canadian Sport Policy. The SSP funding is aimed at developing athletes and coaches at the highest international levels; providing sound technically-based sport programming for all athletes; increasing the number of Canadians from all segments of society involved in sport, and advancing Canadian interests and values in Canada and abroad.  This funding is provided to eligible organizations in support of programming that supports the goals of the Canadian Sport Policy.  Funding is primarily focused on programs and services that have a direct impact on athletes and athlete development, and that provide children and youth with their first experience in competitive sport. For more information, visit http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1267385942671/1268413679631

SOURCE: Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)

Alison Korn
Manager, Media Relations and Communications
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Phone: [phone] ext. 243
Cell: 613-298-4927
Email: [email protected]

Robert Lynch
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Bal Gosal, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport)
819-934-1122
[email protected]

Sarah Van Lange
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and Canadian Tire Corporation
Phone:  [phone]
Cell: 647-287-9582
Email: [email protected]