More than $200,000 invested in programs to enhance the sport experience for people with a disability

Canadian Paralympic Committee and Sport Canada Announce Recipients of Recruitment Program Fund

OTTAWA, Jan. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2011-12 Recruitment Program Fund, supported by the Government of Canada's Sport Support Program and the CPC.

The Recruitment Program Fund delivers grants of up to $10,000 to sports organizations to support the creation of a new sports program or financially support the expansion of an existing successful program that provides a positive introductory sport experience for participants with a disability.

In all, 31 sports organizations across the country, representing 21 different sports programs among them, have received a total of $237,323. Funds may be used towards enhancing program options, such as facility rental space, coaching, volunteer training and more.

The complete list of 2011-12 Recruitment Programs Fund recipients appears at the end of this release and is downloadable here: www.paralympic.ca/images/Exel_list_RPF_recipients.xlsx

The next round of applications for the Recruitment Programs Fund will be accepted starting January 25, 2012. (Applications for the Para-Equipment Fund, which helps cover the cost of adapted sports equipment, will also open January 25, 2012.)

Please visit www.paralympic.ca/funding for more information.

"On behalf of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, I'd like to congratulate all the recipients of the Recruitment Program Fund," said Henry Storgaard, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "We recognize that many grassroots sports programs rely on limited resources and volunteer contributions, both in terms of time and personal finances. Investing in introductory sports programming for people with a disability is essential for Canada to achieve its goal of becoming the world's top Paralympic nation, since you can't have a podium full of medalists without a playground full of kids."

"The Government of Canada is proud to support the Recruitment Programs Fund and to play a leading role in the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport," said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). "Our Government is committed to promoting meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities to become involved in and develop through sport, according to their interests, abilities, and talents."

About the Recruitment Program Fund (RPF)

Launched in 2010 (formerly called the First Contact Fund), the Recruitment Program Fund (RPF) is intended to support the creation of a new program, or go towards the expansion of an existing successful initiative providing a positive introductory parasport experience. Funds may be used towards enhancing program options, such as facility rental space, coaching, volunteer training and more.

About Sport Canada's Sport Support Program

The Sport Support Program provides National and Multi Sport Organizations with financial assistance they need to develop Canada's amateur sport system and to achieve world class athletic results. This financial support strengthens our national sport system and benefits our athletes and coaches. For more information, please visit www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1267385942671.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 46 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the world's leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian Paralympic athletes and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.

2011-12 Recruitment Program Fund Recipients

Organization Name	Sport(s)	City	Province
Quebec Adapted Sailing Association/Association québécoise de voile adaptée (AQVA)	Sailing	Montreal	Quebec
Association Sportive et Communautaire du Centre-Sud	Sitting volleyball	Montreal	Quebec
Saint-Laurent Select	Para-athletics	Saint-Laurent	Quebec
Ability New Brunswick	Badminton	Fredericton	New Brunswick
Alpine Canada & Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing	Para-alpine skiing	National	National
British Columbia Wheelchair Basketball Society	Wheelchair basketball	Richmond	British Columbia
Calgary Sledge Hockey	Sledge hockey	Calgary	Alberta
Canada Snowboard	Para-snowboard	National	National
Club 99 / U25	Wheelchair basketball	Saskatoon	Saskatchewan
Ontario Sailing	Sailing	Hamilton	Ontario
Ontario Volleyball Association	Sitting volleyball	Toronto	Ontario
ParaSport Ontario	Sledge hockey, wheelchair basketball, goalball, para-Nordic, para-alpine, sitting volleyball; wheelchair tennis, boccia, para- athletics, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair curling, swimming	Toronto	Ontario
Vancouver Adaptive Snow Sports	Para-alpine skiing, sledge hockey, wheelchair curling	Vancouver	British Columbia
Variety Village	Boccia	Scarborough	Ontario
Volleyball Canada	Sitting volleyball	Ottawa	National
Association québécoise des sports en fauteuil roulant	Wheelchair basketball, sledge hockey, rugby, tennis	Montreal	Quebec
Hockey Sur Luge Montreal	Sledge hockey	Montreal	Quebec
Adaptive Sports Foundation	Adaptive kayaking, para-alpine skiing	Knowlton	Quebec
Balmy Beach Canoe Club	Canoe/kayak	Toronto	Ontario
BC Blind Sports and Recreation	Goalball	Vancouver	British Columbia
Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing - NS Division	Para-alpine skiing and snowboarding	Halifax	Nova Scotia
Calgary Wheelchair Rugby Association	Wheelchair rugby	Calgary	Alberta
City of Surrey	Sitting volleyball	Surrey	British Columbia
Cross Country Ski Association Manitoba	Para-Nordic skiing	Winnipeg	Manitoba
Cruisers Sports for the Physically Disabled	Wheelchair basketball, para-athletics, boccia	Mississauga	Ontario
London Wheelchair Sports	Wheelchair rugby	London	Ontario
Pilot Butte Sledge	Sledge hockey	Pilot Butte	Saskatchewan
Regina Ski Club	Para-alpine skiing	Regina	Saskatchewan
Rowing British Columbia	Rowing	Richmond	British Columbia
Tennis Canada	Wheelchair tennis	National	National
Toronto Wheelchair Rugby	Wheelchair rugby	Toronto	Ontario