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New Ontario Sport Hosting Program Brings Funding to More Events

release by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance
 ©  Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance
December 14, 2015 – Ontario is launching a renewed Sport Hosting Program, which will help bring major sporting events to the province, grow local economies and allow more Ontario athletes to compete at home. Previously, only international competitions were eligible for sport hosting funding. Through this new program, national-level competitions held in Ontario will also be eligible.

Ontario’s Sport Hosting Program also includes:

  • Funding for a variety of winter and summer sports
  • An accessibility plan as a requirement for funding
  • Changes to the administrative process, including two regular yearly application intakes, which will allow hosts to plan more efficiently and help the province fund events that strongly support sport development goals.
  • Ontario’s Sport Hosting Program is part of Game ON – The Ontario Government’s Sport Plan to help more Ontarians participate and excel in sport. Game ON recognizes the many ways organized sport can be good for people and communities, from the health benefits of physical activity to the economic benefits of hosting major events.

Investing in the development of Ontario athletes and providing them with more opportunities to succeed is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.

Quick Facts

  • Ontario’s Sport Hosting Program will offer $2 million in 2016-17, with up to $20,000 in funding for national events and up to $1 million for international events.
  • Since 2006, Ontario has supported 55 events, with total funding of more than $13 million.
  • Ontario has almost tripled its support for amateur sport from $8.78 million in 2003 to more than $25 million in 2015-16.
  • Quest for Gold has provided Ontario athletes and coaches with more than $90 million in support since the program began in 2006.

Quotes

“Hosting national and international amateur sport events offers Ontario communities the opportunity to welcome visitors, gives more Ontario athletes high-level competition experience on home soil and increases local interest in sport and volunteerism. Ontario’s Sport Hosting Program is a key part of Game ON, our government’s plan for sport and will play an important role in increasing participation in sport across our province.” – Michael Coteau, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and Minister Responsible for the Pan and Parapan American Games

“Sport tourism is a major economic force for local communities and a $5.2 billion segment of the Canadian tourism industry. With its sport hosting program, Ontario is helping hosts build successful events that will be a win for sport and for the residents and businesses of host regions.” – Rick Traer, CEO of the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance

“The province’s focus on attracting national sport events via its sport hosting program moves Ontario athletes and sport up to a new level. More top competitions will provide a challenge to competitors and ultimately, we’ll field athletes who can take their tested experience to international stages.” – Fran Rider, President, Ontario Women’s Hockey Association





1 Comments For This Post

  1. Ben Aroundo, ON, Canada says:

    The OCA should take advantage of this and put on some UCI road and track events. International events were common in Ontario before the pseudo cyclist Jim Crosscomb’s dictatorship took the reins. He thinks that these events are too complex, unnecessary and not worth organizing. Go figure. This situation is so depressing and there is no recovery or “real” experienced cycling people who want to take over in sight. In Ontario Cycling “POSERS” who do not know they are posers, rule.

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