The Ottawa Sport Council Foundation is thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2020 True Sport Community Grant – the Rideau Canoe Club and the Nepean Sailing Club. Both organizations have been awarded $1,500 by the True Sport Foundation to assist with COVID-19 recovery efforts and further developing inclusive programming while embracing the True Sport Principles.
The Rideau Canoe Club will take this opportunity to continue offering their Special Olympic/Para Canoe program, which has been running since 2009. This program introduces paddlers with intellectual and physical disabilities to the sport of sprint canoe and kayak racing. Each participant is given an opportunity to participate in a personalized and appropriate manner. Some participants train to race at local regattas and at the Canadian championships while others may go out in a pleasure canoe or kayak with hand over hand support from a coach or volunteer. The funds from this grant will allow this program to continue to provide a safe and supportive program for participants in 2021.
Nepean Sailing Club’s “ABLE Sail Learn to Sail” program aims to provide everyone with physical disabilities the opportunity to participate in the sailing community and feel included. “Through the generosity of True Sport Foundation and Ottawa Sport Council Foundation the Nepean Sailing Club will be able to ensure that our ABLE Sail Learn to Sail Program will continue to effectively serve men, women, and children, with physical disabilities, in 2021 and beyond.”, said Michele Cimon, NSC Director Adaptive and Youth Sail Training.
Marcia Morris, Executive Director of the Ottawa Sport Council, said, “This year has been unlike any other, and community sport continues to be significantly impacted as a result of the ongoing pandemic. It is important to provide this opportunity to the great programs offered by the Rideau Canoe Club and the Nepean Sailing Club so that they can continue to inspire participation in sport.” The annual grant opportunity for 2020 was focused on supporting the COVID-19 recovery efforts for community sport organizations to ensure they can continue to offer inclusive programming for underrepresented populations. The recipients of the 2020 grant opportunity will do so by continuing to promote the seven True Sport Principles.
The Ottawa Sport Council Foundation’s True Sport Community Grant was established in partnership with the Ottawa Community Foundation 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. “We are very pleased that through our partnership with the Ottawa Sport Council Foundation we are able to support the work of the Rideau Canoe Club and the Nepean Sailing Club, and their commitment to the True Sport Principles.” says Karri Dawson, Executive Director of the True Sport Foundation. “Although the global pandemic has greatly challenged community sport, it has also shown the resiliency and heart of many sport organizations. The Rideau Canoe Club and Nepean Sailing Club programs are providing a foundation for positive, rewarding experiences that will instill character in our kids, strengthen our communities and increase opportunities for excellence, which we need now more than ever.”