Youth Agencies Alliance, the Thomas Sill Foundation & UWinnipeg team up to offer free basketball and soccer camp to 200 youth
WINNIPEG, MB – Underserved youth will be able to spend three full days playing basketball and soccer during March spring break as The University of Winnipeg host its second annual Inner City Wesmen Spring Break Sports Camps.
The camps are run in partnership with Youth Agencies Alliance, a network of 19 non-profit youth serving agencies, offering inner city youth the chance to have fun and stay fit while learning new skills from Wesmen coaches and student athletes who volunteer their time.
“YAA has committed to removing barriers for marginalized youth across Winnipeg, so everyone can participate in sport and recreational activities. We really want to level the playing field so our member agencies can all have the opportunity to bring their youth down and have a great spring break” said Chino Argueta, Recreation and Sport Coordinator for Youth Agencies Alliance.
There is no cost to attend the Spring Break Sports Camps thanks to generous private donors and funding from the Thomas Sill Foundation. Free lunch is included, with up to 200 children expected to attend. The camps are for boys and girls ages 10 to 15 and run March 26, March 27 and March 28th. Basketball will be run in the morning and soccer in the afternoon, with an additional camp added for advanced basketball players from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.
“It is especially important for inner city kids to have the camp opportunity as they find themselves with lots of time on their hands during Spring Break,” said Grant Richter, UWinnipeg’s Director of Athletic Program Development and Community. ”This is also a great way for our athletes and coaches to nurture neighbourhood talent and connect with youth and introduce them to campus life so that they know they are welcome here.”
The University of Winnipeg operates a robust community athletics program under the Wesmen umbrella, designed to offer inner city youth year-round sport opportunities such as soccer, basketball, golf and wrestling.
UWinnipeg anticipates that once its new UNITED Health & RecPlex opens in 2014, up to 500 inner city children and youth will be accessing sport and recreation activities on campus.
This access will be assured by a new Community Charter, developed by the university in collaboration with neighborhood stakeholders including Youth Agencies Alliance. Additionally, UWinnipeg and Youth Agencies Alliance will both take part in an Advisory Committee set up to support the charter’s implementation.
“We are very proud to team up with Youth Agencies Alliance and supportive organizations such as the Thomas Sill Foundation to offer valuable recreational opportunities to inner city kids in a safe and healthy environment,” said Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg. “We look forward to growing this partnership — and multiplying the positive outcomes for neighborhood youth — when the UNITED Health and RecPlex is finished and ready to serve the community next year.”
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
The Thomas Sill Foundation provides grants throughout Manitoba, and has been a strong supporter of the University. The Thomas Sill Foundation is a one of Manitoba’s leading foundations. The foundation provides encouragement and financial support to qualified Manitoba organizations striving to improve the quality of life in the province. For more info on the Thomas Sill Foundation, visit www.thomassillfoundation.com
YAA is a group of 19 different after-school and community service agencies. Each agency is separately run with different boards, focuses, and locations. These agencies meet monthly to explore and develop collaborative efforts to improve the lives of marginalized youth and their families in the city of Winnipeg. To learn more visit www.youthagenciesalliance.com
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For more information about the Inner City Wesmen Spring Break Sports Camps please contact Grant Richter at (204) 786-9897 or by email g.richter@uwinnipeg.ca or Chino Argueta at (204) 801-3683 or rec-sport@youthagenciesalliance.com.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Chino Argueta, Rec and Sport Coordinator, Youth Agencies Alliance
P: 204.801.3683 or rec-sport@youthagenciesalliance.com
Diane Poulin, Communications Officer, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
