BC Olympian Evan Dunfee raises awareness and the Province invests in KidSport program

KidSport was established in 1993 and is a non-profit organization that helps with sport registration fees for kids under 18 whose families can’t afford the costs.

KidSport BC Week began on Monday Sept. 13 and wraps up today.

The program also helps children who are often under-represented in sports such as children from lower-income families, Indigenous children, children with disabilities and those who are new to Canada.

In 2019, the Government of BC invested $2.5 million in Sport BC to expand access to sports programs for children.

Since 2019, Sport BC has directed $1 million into the KidSport to help with the financial impacts of the pandemic.

“We know far too many young people missed out on game time due to COVID-19, and the health orders that were put in place to protect us over the past 18 months,” Melanie Mark, minister of culture and sport, announced at a rugby event earlier this week.

I was thrilled to join the #ScribesRugbyFootballClub to celebrate & officially proclaim #KidSportWeekBC. So fun to practice with the kids. I’m grateful for all the champions at @KidSportBC & @SportBC who are opening doors and breaking down barriers for kids. @bcrugbyunion pic.twitter.com/5rayLOC3RG

— Melanie Mark (@melaniejmark) September 17, 2021

BC athlete and Canadian Olympian Evan Dunfee used his platform this week to raise awareness for KidSport.

Now, you may recognize Dunfee as the Canadian bronze medalist in the race walking category.

Dunfee is also an ambassador for KidSport BC and has spoken to more than 10,000 kids since 2016 about his sport journey and the importance of participating in sports.

“There are so many skills and lessons I’ve learned and developed through sport. All kids should have this opportunity to gain these skills and learn these lessons," Dunfee explains.

In 2018, Dunfee took on the challenge of walking 25 kilometres a day for 25 days while speaking at 25 different schools and raised more than $26,000 for the organization.

Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, he was able to raise $8,000.

KidSport distributed more than $3.25 million to help 10,755 kids during 2019 and 2020.

“As a child, I was lucky to have the opportunity to play sports because my parents had the financial means,” Dunfee says.

“It is important to understand that many kids don’t have that same luck, but that shouldn’t stop them. KidSport BC helps break down the financial barrier to sport.”

I refuse to get over how insanely funny and awesome this is simultaneously. Life is incredibly weird… Anyway, you awesome people raised $7000 for @kidsportbc buying up 150 of these ridiculously niche mementos which is being matched by @kraftdinnerca.… https://t.co/q1Moko4Zmk pic.twitter.com/R1LiA6cDIm

— Evan Dunfee (@EvanDunfee) September 16, 2021