The Ottawa Sport Council Foundation is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2019 True Sport Community Grant- Ottawa Shooting Stars Basketball Club and the Ottawa Community Housing Foundation. Both organizations have been awarded $1500 by the True Sport Foundation to support development of their initiatives. Ottawa Shooting Stars Basketball Club’s Leadership in Basketball and Life program will offer a basketball program to support Grade 4 girls’ leadership and skills development. The overarching goal of the project is to create a team with an inclusive, positive and welcoming environment, promoting team spirit and camaraderie. The program will foster the use of sport to develop empathy, understanding, collaboration, resiliency and teamwork. In collaboration with Ottawa TFC Soccer Club, the Ottawa Community Housing Foundation’s Shoot for the Stars Community Soccer program will offer high-quality soccer programming at no cost to families in three Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) neighborhoods between May-August, 2020 serving an estimated 60-75 young people between 6-12 years of age.
The Ottawa Sport Council Foundation’s True Sport Community Grant was established in partnership with the Community Foundation of Ottawa and the True Sport Foundation. The Ottawa Sport Council is passionate about sport and this community grant aims to enhance sport excellence, guided by True Sport Principles, in the City of Ottawa.
Marcia Morris, Executive Director of the Ottawa Sport Council, said, “Sport has the potential to enrich the lives of everyone, and we believe that no one should be excluded. The programs offered by the Ottawa Shooting Stars Basketball Club and the Ottawa Community Housing Foundation for youth who otherwise may be excluded from participation in sport are very inspiring and we are very excited to name them as our 2019 recipients.”
The True Sport Community Grant supports Ottawa community sporting organizations. Grants are available on a yearly basis and adopt key focus areas each year. In 2019, the focus was to assist community sport organizations in establishing new programs for underserviced populations and to increase opportunities for participation in sport activities embracing the True Sport Principles (Go For It, Play Fair, Respect Others, Keep it Fun, Stay Healthy, Include Everyone, Give Back) in Ottawa.
“We are very pleased that through our partnership with the Ottawa Sport Council Foundation we are able to support the work of the Ottawa Shooting Stars Basketball Club and the Ottawa Community Housing Foundation.” says Karri Dawson, Executive Director at the True Sport Foundation. “Both organizations are doing fantastic work to ensure that kids who otherwise may not have the opportunity to participate are included and will experience the many benefits that a “True Sport” experience has to offer.”
Andrea Bell, Head Coach, Ottawa Shooting Stars Basketball Club said, “The Ottawa Shooting Stars club is thrilled to initiate this pilot project in November 2019.”
Ottawa Community Housing Foundation Executive Director Howard Whittaker said “playing is a crucial part of being a kid. Whether it’s through sport, theatre, art, or technology, it’s important for all children to have an outlet in their lives that allows them to make friends, develop emotionally, and have fun! We are grateful for this opportunity.”