YORKTON - The Goals for KidSport program, a province wide initiative, had its Yorkton launch Wednesday.
The program, kicked-off locally in City Centre Park, has SaskEnergy teaming up with KidSport Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) to help more kids participate in sport.
KidSport Provincial Coordinator Tammy Hoffart was in Yorkton for the event. She said the money raised is important as it helps their organization fund “sports registration fees for kids.” She added KidSport helps youth ages 5 to 18 to be able to participate in sport.
“We know the kids in these communities dream of being on the ice for their team where their role models skate out to play. We love that we can provide the opportunity, through this initiative, for more kids to get on the ice to work toward their dreams,” in a release issued at the kick-off.
The money helps “make sure all kids can play,” echoed SaskEnergy’s Community Engagement Supervisor Allix Schweitzer.
Schweitzer said being involved with the annual fundraiser is a great opportunity for SaskEnergy to be involved in the various SJHL communities. Engaging in local communities is important she added.
“It’s a good partnership,” said SJHL Director of Marketing and Partnerships Jacob Faith, adding with a smile there have been “lots of home goals,” already this season across the league.
Faith said Saskatchewan-based league, it’s important the league give back at the grassroots and the KidSport partnership is one way to do that.
Under the Goals for KidSport program, SaskEnergy will donate $20 to KidSport for every home goal scored by an SJHL team during the league’s 2022-23 regular season—up to 1,000 goals or $20,000.
KidSport will use the funding in its mission to provide grants to help cover the costs of enrollment so that all kids aged 5-18 years in Saskatchewan can play a season of sport.
During its first eight seasons, Goals for KidSport raised nearly $210,000 to help more Saskatchewan youth participate in sport across the province.
This year’s Goals for KidSport program features 11 SJHL Game Nights that will include intermission activities—such as “Shooter Tutor” and “Chuck-a-Puck”—to help get the crowd involved. All funding raised during the Game Nights will stay in the home team’s community.
The Game Nights begin on Oct.7, with the Yorkton game set for Feb. 28, and Melville Jan. 21.
As part of this year’s program, the KidSport Cup will be awarded to the SJHL team that scores the most home goals during the season. In addition, Volunteer Champion Awards will be presented to deserving volunteers in each SJHL community. And the SJHL player who scores the symbolic 1000th goal—representing a $20,000 donation from SaskEnergy to KidSport—will also receive an award.
