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The Edmonton Sport Council advances active living, active recreation and sport for all Edmontonians by collaborating with partners.

Front Page News

National Coaches Week 

National Coaches Week is a time to celebrate the positive impact coaches have on athletes and communities across Canada. This annual campaign is an opportunity to recognize coaches for the integral role they play, and to take time to say #ThanksCoach.

Each year, thousands of people across Canada take part in National Coaches Week to say #ThanksCoach for their time, effort, and generosity.

Enjoy FREE or discounted NCCP education: This National Coaches Week we’re saying #ThanksCoach with FREE eLearning! Each day throughout National Coaches Week we’re highlighting free multi-sport eLearning modules to support coaches in continuing their Professional Development. Log in daily to the Locker to get started!

Danielle Peers of Edmonton

Having a transformative impact on and off the basketball court, as a decorated para athlete, coach, activist, and artist, they changed the conversation surrounding queer people and people living with disabilities in Canadian sport and culture.

George Multamaki Retirement
On behalf of the Edmonton Sport Council's (ESC) Board of Directors, I wish to announce the retirement of our Project Director, George Multamaki, effective August 31, 2023. As the ESC's Project Director for the last 22 years, George was responsible for ESC's databases, communication efforts and website in support of Edmonton's sport and active recreation community and individuals seeking information and participation opportunities. In addition to hosting numerous educational workshops, he also supported ESC's contribution to policy development and sport strategies at municipal, provincial and national levels, including the application for, and designation, of Edmonton as one of the first True Sport communities in Canada.
- James Rosnau, Chairperson, Board of Directors, Joe Dixon, Executive Director
Every Kid Can Play Program

Through 2 grant application processes with the Government of Alberta, for Provincial-Scope organizations and Community-Level non-profit organizations, funding is available for non-profit organizations to reduce costs associated with the delivery, expansion, or enhancement of existing community-level programs. Application deadline is September 30. 

Upcoming Grant Deadlines
Community Initiatives Program (CIP): Major Cultural and Sport Events - October 1
Festivals and Events Micro Grant Program - October 1
Field Law Community Fund Program - October 2
Enabling Accessibility Fund Youth Innovation Component - October 10
Challenged Athletes Foundation Grants - November 3
 
New Tourism & Sport Ministry
A Mandate Letter has been issued to The Honourable Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport, directing him to establish a Community Recreation Centre Infrastructure Fund that invests at least $80 million over four years in small and mid-sized projects such as indoor and outdoor hockey arenas and rinks, community pools, indoor turf centres, pickle ball courts, sports fields and courts, and other recreational facilities.
2023 Universiade Awards
Eligible applications for this program were received from 18 sport and 14 arts organizations. Ten sport organizations received a total of $40,193 while 4 arts organizations received a total of $20,000. The list of recipients and their funded projects is posted here.
New Executive Director
The Edmonton Sport Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Joe Dixon as the organization's new Executive Director. Joe brings over 20 years of leadership experience in strategic planning, governance, risk management, and financial management. Joe also carries certificates in professional management and event management along with a MBA in Executive Management. We are excited to introduce and welcome Joe to the Edmonton sport and active recreation sector.
 
"I am very proud and honoured to be part of this great organization as leaders in sport and recreation engagement in Edmonton for the past 25 years," said Joe Dixon. "I look forward to building strategic partnerships and providing recommendations to support the organization continuing to build on its legacy which has already contributed so much to the community."
 
James Rosnau, Chairperson, Board of Directors
Community Investment Operating Grant

The City of Edmonton Community Investment Operating Grant (CIOG) provides operating assistance to Edmonton's non-profit organizations, including recreation/amateur sport, working towards the following outcomes: increasing social inclusion and increasing equitable access to participation. The 2023 CIOG program awarded $479,499 to 70 Edmonton non-profit sport and recreation organizations.

EDI Practitioner Tip Sheet: Avoiding EDI Policy Mistakes in Sport 

Many existing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) policies reinforce and justify (often unintentionally) exclusion and inequity. Check out this EDI Tip Sheet and more resources here.

Alberta Non-profit Learning Centre

The Alberta non-profit learning centre provides resources on important concepts in governance of non-profits to support their role in the delivery of their programs and services in their communities.

These learning resources are intended to:

  • empower non-profits, their board members and volunteers through training
  • provide educational and training support in governance of non-profits
  • make it easier to find and access various types of resources that meet the specific needs of individual learners
Engaging Under-Represented Populations

It's important that sport and recreation organisations reflect the diversity of the communities in which they operate, and have practices in place to help them achieve their inclusion goals. The Sport Council website has several new pages with information and resources to support organizations in engaging under-represented populations including Edmontonians with disabilities, girls and women, newcomers, and indigenous and LGBTQI2S+ Edmontonians.

Links to the KidSport Calgary and KidSport Edmonton Diversity and Inclusion in Sport Discussion Series video recordings and resources can be found here.

Our strategic planning resource page will also assist you in integrating your engagement with these populations within your overall operating plan.

The Live Active Update

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