More Children Get a Chance to Play

More Nova Scotia children will get the chance to have fun and be active playing sports, regardless of family income with continued provincial support for the KidSport program.

The program covers the cost of equipment and registration fees for children whose families can't afford them. The province will invest $405,000 to help make the program accessible to more Nova Scotia children, Premier Darrell Dexter announced today, Aug. 28.

"When Nova Scotia children want to play sports, I want them to be able to do that, regardless of their family's ability to pay for it," said Premier Dexter. "Organized sports can be expensive and KidSport helps level the playing field so all kids can play, be active and grow up healthy."

KidSport provides up to $300 a year for a child's registration and equipment. Last year, it helped nearly 2,000 children.

There are 13 regional chapters of the national KidSport program in Nova Scotia, run by a network of volunteers and co-ordinated through Sport Nova Scotia.

"Helping more children from under-represented communities get involved in sport is a priority of the Canadian Sport Policy, which Nova Scotia signed in 2012," said Jamie Ferguson, CEO of Sport Nova Scotia. "I am very pleased to see the province's steadfast commitment to encourage children to play."

Application forms for KidSport are available at www.sportnovascotia.ca .

KidSport supports Thrive!, the province's plan for a healthier Nova Scotia. It has 34 actions to create supportive environments for healthy eating and physical activity. For more information, go to http://thrive.novascotia.ca .