Ontario to Help More Youth Participate in Sports

New funding through MLSE Foundation will expand access to local sports and recreation opportunities for children and youth

The Ontario government is investing $330,000 in MLSE Foundation through the Inclusive Grassroots Recreation (IGR) program to create more affordable and inclusive sport and recreation opportunities for nearly 2,000 children and youth across the province. This made-for-Ontario initiative will provide community sport organizations and programming with the resources to support the next generation of young athletes to train and grow their skills.

“Our government is supporting more opportunities for children and youth to participate in sport and recreation close to home,” said Neil Lumsden, 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 government’s investment will support community-based projects in Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara, Durham, Clarington and Blue Mountain, reaching nearly 2,000 children and youth. Programs will focus on ensuring athletes of all backgrounds can participate, build skills and reach their full potential, while offering a range of activities including basketball, hockey, soccer, baseball, adapted sport and multi-sport programming.

MLSE Foundation works to improve the lives of youth by creating inclusive and accessible spaces for sport and recreation and delivering programs that promote physical and mental well-being. With support from the Ontario government, the organization will expand access to programming in underserved communities, helping ensure more children and youth have safe, welcoming places to play and grow.

“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 continues to strengthen community-based sport and recreation opportunities, by supporting organizations that make participation more accessible, affordable and inclusive for children and youth across the province.

Quick Facts

• Since its inception in 2021-22, the Inclusive Grassroots Recreation program has provided approximately 150,000 children and youth across Ontario with opportunities to participate in sport and recreation programming in their communities.
   
• The Ontario government invests over $23 million annually to support local, inclusive physical activity programming, including: Ontario’s After School Program, the Inclusive Grassroots Recreation (IGR) program, the Community Aboriginal Recreation Activator Program (CARA), the Sport Pathway for Ontario Native Wellness, the Youth Cultural Camps program and Variety Village.
   
• Ontario is investing $500 million through the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund to help revitalize existing local sport and recreation facilities and build new spaces so more people can participate and stay active.
   
• MLSE Foundation supports programs and infrastructure that help youth develop life skills, improve wellbeing and build stronger communities through sport.