|
NLIS 3 May 13, 2004 (Tourism, Culture and Recreation) Newfoundland and Labrador youth, athletes benefit from sport initiative Natural Resources Minister and Member of Parliament (Bonavista�Trinity�Conception) John Efford, on behalf of Minister of State (Sport) Stan Keyes, joined Newfoundland and Labrador�s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, Paul Shelley today to announce a sport initiative to help young people in junior high school and in rural areas benefit from participation in sport and to assist Newfoundland and Labrador teams with travel to sanctioned atlantic and national championships. "This partnership represents an important step toward realizing the vision of the Canadian Sport Policy for a more inclusive sport system," said Minister Efford. "Physical activity contributes to healthier, more productive lives and brings our communities together. Regular physical activity ensures our youth experience the many health and social benefits of sport." "Our province is pleased to partner with the federal government in today�s agreement, which is another example of the renewed level of co-operation between both levels of government," said Minister Shelley. "The signing of a sport bilateral agreement follows through on a commitment our government made to develop new opportunities for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to participate in organized sport through recreational programs in all regions of the province. Today�s agreement not only provides the necessary funding to allow increased physical activity but also provides greater opportunity for our aspiring athletes to acquire the necessary competition they need to compete at the national level." "One of the challenges we face as an organization is to increase participation in sport among all students in junior high, not just aspiring athletes," said Gerald Wheeler, President of School Sports Newfoundland and Labrador. "This agreement will include a new program which will allow for a series of multi-sport competitions between junior high schools throughout the province. There are approximately 21 000 students in Grades 7 to 9 in our province. This program will provide opportunity for each and every one of them to participate in a sport tournament, regardless of their level of ability." The Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will each provide $563,000 over three years, from 2003-2004 to 2005-2006, for a total of $1.126 million to support athlete travel and hosting of regional games in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador partnership is an initiative of the Canadian Sport Policy. The Policy is an excellent example of collaboration amongst the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Endorsed by all levels of government in 2002, it targets participation as one of the key areas for improvement in Canada�s sport system. It sets a goal to improve participation in quality sport activities in all segments of society by 2012. The Canadian Sport Policy was developed to create a more effective and transparent sport system, to underscore the importance of sport and physical activity to the health of Canadians, and to build a more integrated and harmonious environment to improve the sport experience. Bilateral agreements under the Policy have now been signed in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia, and the three Territories. Overall, the Government of Canada provides $100 million in annual funding to support participation and excellence in sport from the playground to the podium. To learn more about the various sport-related programs offered by the Government of Canada, visit the Canadian Heritage Web site at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/sportcanada Information: Tansy Mundon (This news release is also available on the Internet at //www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/ under Media Room.) 2004 05 13 12:40 p.m. |
||
|
