The following is being distributed at the request of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador:

Rex Goudie teams up with KidSport

Sport Newfoundland and Labrador announced today that Canadian Idol finalist Rex Goudie is the official spokesperson for KidSport� in Newfoundland and Labrador. Sport Newfoundland and Labrador is the volunteer organization committed to the promotion and advancement of amateur sport throughout the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The mission and vision of KidSport� is to help kids in Newfoundland and Labrador overcome the socio-economic barriers which have limited or prevented their participation in sport. KidSport� is a national program operating in 10 provinces and each year approximately $2 million is raised across Canada helping more than 20,000 kids in over 60 sports.

KidSport� Newfoundland and Labrador believes that sport should be accessible to all kids, and that no child should be denied the benefits and opportunities of participation in sport. Sport Newfoundland and Labrador will work in conjunction with local communities to identify and alleviate the socio-economic barriers, which have limited or prevented a child�s participation in sport.

Rex Goudie is coming off an outstanding showing on Canadian Idol and is currently in St. John�s promoting the release of his new CD and performed in front of a sell out crowd at Mile One Stadium Tuesday evening. Sport Newfoundland and Labrador executive director, Troy Croft says, �We are thrilled to have Rex Goudie as the official spokesperson for KidSport� in Newfoundland and Labrador. Rex is an outstanding ambassador for the province and has carried himself with the type of attitude that the people of this province pride themselves on. With his enthusiasm and willingness to get involved in this program, there is no doubt Rex Goudie�s participation in this program will enable us to promote and develop KidSport� to a level where all kids in the province will have an opportunity to play sport.�

Rex Goudie added: �It's an honour to be part of KidSport, and I'm proud to be the spokesperson for Newfoundland and Labrador. I had the opportunity to play a variety of sports in my life, and I hope to be able to let today's kids have the same opportunities that I had.�

The success of KidSport� will be measured in the number of new sport opportunities created for kids. These opportunities will result from the funding of programs (registration fees, equipment costs, program development) that benefit kids directly. Croft says, �KidSport in Canada has been very successful in providing opportunities for kids to get involved in organized sport. A tremendous amount of work has been done with the program across the country over the last number of years however, there is still more we can do to ensure as many kids as possible are provided with an opportunity to play, especially here in our own province.�
Sport Newfoundland and Labrador will have an official launch of KidSport� in the near future where they will announce specific plans for KidSport� fundraising activities and events as well as a promotional campaign.

For more information on KidSport� in Newfoundland and Labrador or to find out how you can make a donation So All Kids Can Play, please call (709) 576-4932 or visit www.sportnf.com.

Media contact: Troy Croft, (709) 576-4932

2005 12 14                               9:40 a.m.