Advocacy News...
March 8th 2010
Dear Premier Campbell,
On behalf of BC Athlete Voice, its members and the thousands who have given their Thumbs Up in support of sport, we would like to thank and commend your Government for its continued investment in sport.
Over the past month, the Province has played host to the world and the public has shown its pride and support for our athletes. We have all seen how athletes can inspire our Province and its youth. We have experienced the ‘power of sport’ to change the way that we perceive ourselves, our Province and our nation.
We are delighted to see that the 2010 Budget provides the sport system with the resources it needs to ensure that BC’s current and future athletes can progress from playground to podium. We are pleased to see that the Budget supports both young developing athletes and those competing at the elite level.
We thank your Government for its confidence in sport and the difference it can make. Please know that your funding continues to make a huge impact on the hundreds of thousands of athletes, coaches and officials that participate in sport within British Columbia.
Sincerely,
Bruce Deacon
BC Athlete Voice, Chair
November 16th 2009
Dear BC Athlete Supporters
Just a quick update on the 2010 Budget Consultation Process and the great news that BC Athletes were heard and included in the formal report.
CanoeKayak BC and BC Athlete Voice member and Team BC Bronze Medalist Brian Malfesi’s voice was heard through the consultation process and included in the report. It is fantastic to see BC Athletes stepping up as leaders and advocates for sport in BC. Brian’s comments reflect BC Athlete Voice’s submission and the need to continue to advocate the importance of supporting our high performance athletes.
Below is a snap shot of the 92 page report with the sport and athlete specific components. BC Athlete Voice will be continuing to work towards strengthening and extending Recommendation 27 to support athletes and the organizations and programs that support them.
REPORT ON THE BUDGET 2010 CONSULTATIONS:
Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services
British Columbians’ Other Priority Programs
While health and education were identified as being the most important core services requiring protection, the Committee received numerous submissions identifying other program spending priorities – in particular, from arts organizations, sports clubs and community-based services for children with special needs. Calls for a poverty reduction plan were also made.
Sports Programs
The Committee received several submissions requesting that the government restore program funding to sports organizations. Noting that sports organizations were among the lowest priority areas for the distribution of gaming funds, presenters in Nanaimo and Prince Rupert expressed concerns that the reduced funding will likely result in the demise of successful local programs:
“We have led the world in demonstrating how to prepare for the hosting of an Olympic Games event. Help us now lead the world in showing how to leverage the Games benefit long after the Olympic flame has gone out and the Games have passed.” (Paul Varian, Sport BC, Nanaimovideo session)
“The Kamloops Sports Council is extremely concerned for our sport group service providers as they strive to cope with the ramifications of the funding cuts that they are facing. Kamloops sports groups have made it very clear to the Sports Council that the burden of these cut backs will impact the delivery of sport services and events in Kamloops.” (Susan Willet, Kamloops Sports Council,Written submission 196)
“It has recently come to our attention that the gaming funds, such as the ones that minor basketball relies on, are to be scheduled to be cut or eliminated. Because approximately half of our budget comes from bingo funding, it would likely mean that we would have to double our registration fees. There are not many options for kids in the north to have easy access to sports. We're asking you not to take away the few options our kids have.” (Melanie Basso, PrinceRupert Minor Basketball, Prince Rupert video conference session)
“As the provincial government has recently decided to make cuts on gaming funds going toward athletes in B.C., thousands upon thousands of aspiring athletes have been hit hard. We have great athletes and coaches that work hard and that should be rewarded with grants and funds to continue to perform nationally and internationally.” (Brian Malfesi, Maple Ridge, Writtensubmission 177)
Other priority programs’ recommendations
The Finance Committee recommends that the provincial government:
26. Make funding of the arts a high priority in the 2010/11 budget by returning to overall actual funding levels of 2008/09.
27. Allocate funding for sports programs, with priority given to youth and disabled sports.
28. Eliminate inefficiency across ministries and improve resourcing to address delays for services and programs for children with special needs.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Joe Hitchcock at info@bcathletevoice.ca
October 23rd 2009
BC Athlete Voice has made a submission to the 2010 Budget Consultation process.
Click hereto read BC Athlete Voice's submission
If you have any feedback or questions regarding the submission, please contact BC Athlete Voice at info@bcathletevoice.ca or on 604-333-3660.
October 7th 2009
Dear BC Athletes
Thank you for the fantastic response to our last update. It was great to hear from so many passionate BC Athletes who believe in the power and value of sport.
Before we update you on what has been happening over the last week, it is important to understand how sport is funded in BC. The provincial government is one of the largest financial contributors to sport in British Columbia. Provincial government funding is distributed through a number of funding mechanisms.
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Core grant and project funding is invested through the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport and 2010 Legacies Now to support both sport participation and sport performance. Sport organizations receive these funds to assist them in administering important programs for the benefit of athletes around the province.
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Government funding is also provided to programs and initiatives such as the BC Athlete Assistance Program, Aboriginal Participation, Coach Development and Team BC.
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A significant source of funding for sport comes from community gaming grants. Sport organizations can apply for these grants to pay for travel, entry fees, equipment, programs etc.
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Further government investment is made to host events and build and maintain sport facilities and infra-structure.
As a result of this very diversified system of funding, getting a clear picture how the sport sector is funded can be difficult. BC Athlete Voice is currently developing an online resource to educate athletes on how the BC sport sector is funded. We will be in touch as soon as this is complete.
Until then it is important to recognize the other major supporter of athletes and sport in BC – athletes, their parents and their families! Cuts to sport funding are ultimately absorbed by athletes and those that support them. As such it is important that athletes and their parents remain informed about the current changes to sport funding levels and those that may occur next year.
So what has been happening?
After attending a meeting with the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport we are pleased to share with you the following information:
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Due to the challenging economic times there have been reductions in funding to the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport and therefore the sport sector.
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The recent budget shows a $6.7 million reduction in funding to Sport, Recreation and ActNow through the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport. A further $10 million reduction in community gaming grants through the Ministry of Housing and Social Development has already begun to affect local sport clubs and provincial sport organizations.
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The effect that sport will experience with these cuts has been significantly softened by the behind the scenes work of the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport and the Sport and Recreation Branch. Provincial Sport Organizations and Multi Sport Organizations will only see a 2 – 3% reduction to core grant funding for this fiscal year. This will allows these essential sport organizations to be able continue to support BC Athletes this fiscal year.
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An announcement regarding BC Athlete Assistance Program Funding will be coming in the next two weeks. Athlete feedback has consistently identified this program as a top priority and we continue to work with our partners in sport and education to advocate it’s tremendous value.
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The Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport also announced that a five year plan for sport in BC is in development and will be released during the winter. No definitive outlook for the next fiscal year has been provided and therefore it is essential to continue promoting the value of investment in athletes and sport in BC.
So what happens now?
Although the meeting last week provided great news in regards to core grant funding for most sport organizations, we are still waiting to hear more about the BC Athlete Assistance Program and other athlete centred programs. It is important for all BC Athletes to stay connected to these updates as potential changes to these programs could have serious impacts. This is also an essential time to continue thinking about how athletes and sport will be supported in 2010 and beyond.
So what happens next?
BC Athlete Voice continues to work with our partners to ensure BC Athletes are represented and have a strong voice. Check out www.bcathletevoice.ca to stay informed and check out our new tools for athletes to get engaged and be proactive in supporting the value of sport. We will be in touch within the next two weeks as more information comes to hand - specifically in regards to the BC Athlete Assistance Program and the role BC Athletes can have in the development of a five year plan for sport in BC.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact BC Athlete Voice at info@bcathletevoice.ca or on 604-333-3660.
Thanks
The Team at BC Athlete Voice
BC Athlete Voice is the collective voice of British Columbia’s high performance athletes. Established in 2005, BC Athlete Voice provides educational programs, advocacy services and supports Athlete empowerment through strategic partnerships to ensure High Performance Athletes are effectively represented and supported by the BC sport system.
September 28th 2009
Dear BC Athletes
Sport in British Columbia is currently experiencing a number of challenges.
We want to touch base and ensure BC Athletes are up with the play, understand the impact of the current issues and have an opportunity to share their voice and advocate for the importance of sport.
You are the greatest example of the power of sport and the importance of supporting athletes. We hope you’ll read through this info, connect with us and help be part of the solution.
Sport in British Columbia is currently experiencing a number of challenges.
We want to touch base and ensure BC Athletes are up with the play, understand the impact of the current issues and have an opportunity to share their voice and advocate for the importance of sport.
You are the greatest example of the power of sport and the importance of supporting athletes. We hope you’ll read through this info, connect with us and help be part of the solution.
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So what’s been happening? |
In the Media... September 22nd
Budgets squeeze school sports
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So what does this mean?
It means that sport in BC will most likely experience cuts to funding. It means that your club, your league, your school, your provincial sport organization, your team, your community centre may have less money to run programs, services and keep the doors of their organization open. This seriously affects all athletes, from grassroots participation to podium performances. It could mean higher costs for participation, reductions in services to athletes, a decrease in sporting opportunities and less organizations providing support to all levels of sport.
BC Athlete Voice is attending a meeting on Wednesday 30th September which will provide more information on the current financial situation. Once we have a better picture on the funding specifics we will share this information with all BC Athletes.
What can athletes do?
Now is the time for all BC Athletes to find their voice and support the importance of investing in sport. BC Athlete Voice will be in touch later this week with more information on how you can make a difference. In the mean time...
It means that sport in BC will most likely experience cuts to funding. It means that your club, your league, your school, your provincial sport organization, your team, your community centre may have less money to run programs, services and keep the doors of their organization open. This seriously affects all athletes, from grassroots participation to podium performances. It could mean higher costs for participation, reductions in services to athletes, a decrease in sporting opportunities and less organizations providing support to all levels of sport.
BC Athlete Voice is attending a meeting on Wednesday 30th September which will provide more information on the current financial situation. Once we have a better picture on the funding specifics we will share this information with all BC Athletes.
What can athletes do?
Now is the time for all BC Athletes to find their voice and support the importance of investing in sport. BC Athlete Voice will be in touch later this week with more information on how you can make a difference. In the mean time...
- Get in contact with your sports club, provincial sport organization, athletic department, regional PacificSport Centre and ask how you can help support them in the great work they are doing during these tough times.
- Have a look at the different advocacy tools available to athletes on the BC Athlete Voice website (www.bcathletevoice.ca)
- Stay tuned to the BC Athlete Voice website (www.bcathletevoice.ca) and we will be in touch by the end of the week.
- Get in touch with BC Athlete Voice if you have any specific questions or concerns (info@bcathletevoice.ca).
Remember - your story, your experiences and your voice can make a difference.
If you have any questions regarding any of this information, please don’t hesitate to contact Joe Hitchcock at BC Athlete Voice at jhitchcock@bcathletevoice.ca or on 604-333-3660.
Thanks for your time and we look forward to being in touch later in the week.
The Team at BC Athlete Voice
BC Athlete Voice is the collective voice of British Columbia’s high performance athletes. Established in 2005, BC Athlete Voice provides educational programs, advocacy services and supports Athlete empowerment through strategic partnerships to ensure High Performance Athletes are effectively represented and supported by the BC sport system.
