Funding Through MLSE Foundation to Support Nearly 2,000 Young Athletes Across Ontario
The Ontario government is investing $330,000 through the Inclusive Grassroots Recreation (IGR) program to help expand access to affordable and inclusive sport and recreation opportunities for children and youth across the province.
The funding, announced Thursday in Hamilton, will be delivered through MLSE Foundation and is expected to support nearly 2,000 children and youth in communities including Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara, Durham, Clarington and Blue Mountain.
Provincial officials say the investment is aimed at helping community organizations remove barriers to participation while encouraging more young people to stay active and develop essential life skills through sport.
“Our government is supporting more opportunities for children and youth to participate in sport and recreation close to home,” said Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s Minister of Sport. “By partnering with organizations like MLSE Foundation, we are helping more young people develop confidence, build valuable life skills and experience the many benefits of staying active, regardless of their background or circumstances.”
The funding will support a range of activities, including basketball, hockey, soccer, baseball, adapted sport and multi-sport programming. The province said the initiative is designed to ensure young athletes from all backgrounds have opportunities to participate, improve their skills and access supportive recreational environments.
MLSE Foundation Expands Programming in Underserved Communities
MLSE Foundation, the charitable arm associated with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, focuses on improving youth wellbeing through accessible sport and recreation programming. The organization said the provincial funding will allow it to increase programming in underserved communities where financial and social barriers often prevent participation.
“Every person deserves a safe, welcoming place to play, yet too many youth still face barriers that keep them on the sidelines,” said Kendra Kerr, Director, MLSE Foundation. “With this milestone investment, MLSE Foundation is expanding affordable, inclusive programming in communities across Ontario where barriers to participation are highest and ensuring that everyone in the province has the chance to play, grow and thrive. We’re proud to deepen our partnership with the province to make sport truly accessible for all.”
Ontario’s Inclusive Grassroots Recreation program was launched in the 2021-22 fiscal year and has since provided approximately 150,000 children and youth with access to local sport and recreation opportunities, according to provincial figures.
The Ontario government currently invests more than $23 million annually in inclusive physical activity initiatives. Programs supported through that funding include Ontario’s After School Program, the Community Aboriginal Recreation Activator Program, Sport Pathway for Ontario Native Wellness, Youth Cultural Camps and Variety Village.
The province has also committed $500 million through the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund to revitalize existing recreation facilities and develop new community spaces aimed at increasing participation in physical activity.
Community Organizations Highlight Impact of Funding
Local leaders and community organizations welcomed the funding announcement, emphasizing the importance of accessible programming for youth facing financial or social barriers.
Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster said the investment will help deliver inclusive soccer programming for girls and young women in the municipality.
“We want to deliver sports programs that are accessible, supportive and empowering for our community. Through this new soccer program, girls and young women can learn the game, build their skills and confidence in a safe, welcoming environment designed to reduce financial barriers and provide pathways for leadership. The program ensures they can have fun, stay active and discover a potential lifelong love of soccer, regardless of family income.”
Organizations supporting newcomer and at-risk youth also said the funding will help expand access to programs that combine athletic development with mentorship and life skills training.
“We are so pleased to be a recipient of a Community Action Grant from MLSE Foundation. Our mission at Hockey 4 Youth Foundation is to foster social inclusion for newcomer and barriered kids and teens in Ontario, through access to free ice hockey and life skills programs. To coincide with our 10th anniversary season and with the support of MLSE Foundation, we will continue expanding our program footprint so we can support more youth in Ontario,” said Moezine Hasham, Founder of Hockey 4 Youth Foundation.
Kristy Pagnutti, Executive Director of the Ontario Justice Education Network, said the organization’s Courts for Change initiative will benefit from the support.
“We are incredibly thankful to MLSE for their support of Ontario Justice Education Network’s Courts for Change program. By combining justice education with sport, this initiative helps youth translate skills like teamwork, collaboration and decision-making into real-world advocacy for safer, more inclusive communities.”
Meanwhile, Hamilton-based Liberty for Youth said the funding will allow the organization to continue providing critical supports for marginalized youth participating in basketball programs.
“We are deeply grateful to the MLSE Foundation and the Ministry of Sport for their investment in our basketball program in Hamilton, Ontario. In today’s climate, funding like this is critical as it helps remove barriers that prevent participation. It allows us to respond to the unique needs of marginalized participants by providing free pickup and drop-off, uniforms, snacks and access to equipment. Most importantly, it creates a positive and supportive environment where at-risk participants can build skills, grow in confidence and thrive on and off the court,” said Frederick Dryden, Founder and Executive Director of Liberty for Youth.