Sport services & grants

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Sport Development team

Our Sport Development team works closely with partners to ensure that appropriate services are in place to support the local sport system. 

Services
  • Sport education: A variety of innovative, current and interactive workshops, certification courses and conferences that provide athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and volunteers with practical information they can readily implement
  • Sport participation: Programs and initiatives that ensure all ages and abilities have opportunities to participate in sport and be inspired to lead a healthy, active lifestyle. Find the latest ways to participate in the latest Activity & Program Guide
  • Athlete development: Programs designed to enhance the motor skills and physical fitness of young athletes and provide foundational movement skills for future athletic development
  • Sport resources & support: Resources to ensure comprehensive sport information and expert insight on community sport initiatives, and specialized sport equipment, technology innovations and grants to support sport development. 
  • Sport networking: Local community events and opportunities designed to foster relationship building, collaboration and recognition within the sport community
  • Facility allocation/maintenance: Facility scheduling that ensures the fair allocation and ongoing maintenance of City-owned recreation facilities
  • Bid development: Bid preparation support including letters of endorsement, production of bid documents in printed and/or electronic format, and access to photography of the destination and event venue for use on website and pre-event promotions
  • Event support: Event hosting support that includes assistance with site inspections, accommodation/venue selections, welcome packages, activity options, promotional tools and the on-site logistics required to run a successful sporting event
  • Administrative services: Comprehensive registration and promotion services to assist sport organizations with their front-line administrative requirements.
  • Organization development: Advocacy and liaison services to support club development that aligns with sporting and demographic trends and is sustainable for current and future generations

For further information on sport services and support, please contact 250-469-8850.

Kelowna Community Sport Plan Cover Image - youth hockey and soccer

Kelowna Community Sport Plan

The Kelowna Community Sport Plan is a comprehensive document that examines a range of sport-related issues and opportunities, and presents a strategic framework to advance sport in Kelowna. It’s anticipated that the Sport Plan, and supporting Implementation Strategy, will guide the local sport community over the next 10 years (2019-2029), with regular check-ins and a more in-depth update to take place in 2024. While the City will provide key leadership in moving the Sport Plan forward, community partners will also play an important role in its implementation.

Sport & event grants

We recognize the need for financial aid to support the needs of our locally-based sports & events community. In response, the following community grants/programs have been established:

Community Sport Delivery Program

The Community Sport Delivery Program has been created to support the staffing needs (i.e. head coach, administrator) of local sport organizations and assist in the delivery of local sport participation and performance initiatives. This grant will fund paid positions to ensure the provision of a wide range of programs and services to athletes, coaches and volunteers from the grassroots to competitive levels that align with the Canadian Sport For Life model.

Community Sport Delivery Program Information
Community Sport Delivery Program Application Form

Contact staff to discuss eligibility for this program or to obtain more information.

Brad Duquette
Sport Development Coordinator
250-469-8696
bduquette@kelowna.ca

 

Sport Education Grant

Supported by the Kelowna 2008 BC Summer Games Legacy Fund, the Sport Education Grant is designed to provide financial assistance to local coaches or officials interested in upgrading their training and/or certification beyond introductory levels. The Grant can also be used for local sport organizations to host advanced sport development courses/seminars for local coaches and officials.

Sport Education Grant Guidelines
Sport Education Grant Application Form

Contact staff to discuss eligibility for this program or to obtain more information.

Brad Duquette
Sport Development Coordinator
250-469-8696
bduquette@kelowna.ca

Event Hosting Program

Kelowna has a long history of hosting a variety of events and supporting their continued growth, success and sustainability. By recognizing the benefits that events bring to the community and the associated costs to organizers in hosting, the City has established the Event Hosting Program.

The intent of the Event Hosting Program is to recognize and support events that reflect Kelowna’s principles and values, and enrich the community. This program will contribute to an event’s health and sustainability so it can remain an integral part of our vibrant community. The Event Hosting Program is application-based and consists of three categories, each having their own set of objectives and criteria.

Event Hosting Program Guidelines
Event Hosting Program Application Form

Contact staff to discuss eligibility for this program or to obtain more information.

Sarah Semeniuk
Event Services Coordinator                                     
250-469-8853
ssemeniuk@kelowna.ca

Brad Duquette
Sport Development Coordinator
250-469-8696
bduquette@kelowna.ca

                                                                     

Major Events Program

Kelowna is an ideal destination for hosting major, significant events due to its location, setting, amenities, international airport and more. Events bring a unique opportunity for the public to share and enjoy special experiences, resulting in significant community development and economic spinoffs that otherwise wouldn’t be realized.

The intent of the Major Events Program is to foster event development and assist in the procurement of new large-scale participant-based or spectator events through components such as identification, bid/hosting fees, creation of bid packages and leverage to obtain additional funding.

Major Events Program Guidelines
Major Events Program Application Form

Contact staff to discuss eligibility for this program or to obtain more information.

Chris Babcock                                                                        
Event Development Supervisor                                   
250-469-8780  
cbabcock@kelowna.ca

Athletic Excellence Grant

The Athletic Excellence Grant has been established to assist high performance athletes or teams with the travel-related expenses associated with participating in high-level sporting events such as provincial or national championships.

Athletic Excellence Grant Guidelines
Athletic Excellence Grant Application Form

Contact staff to discuss eligibility for this program or to obtain more information.

Brad Duquette
Sport Development Coordinator
250-469-8696
bduquette@kelowna.ca

Organization Development Grant

This program aims to assist non‐profit sport, event, social service and cultural organizations for the purpose of undertaking activities or initiatives that develop the organization’s capacity and sustainability.

Applicants will be asked to use our online platform to complete a screening tool to determine project eligibility. An application form will be provided for projects determined to be eligible.

Organization Development Grant Guidelines

Contact staff to discuss eligibility for this program or to obtain more information.

Cultural Organizations:                                                     
Christine McWillis                                                                
250-470-0640
cmcwillis@kelowna.ca

Sport and Event Organizations:
Doug Nicholas
250-469-8859
dnicholas@kelowna.ca

​Social Service Organizations:
Stephanie Martin
250-470-0687
smartin@kelowna.ca

Sport Grant applications should be completed and submitted to:

Sport Kelowna Centre 
645 Dodd Road 
Kelowna, BC 
V1X 5H1 
Fax: 250-862-3327

Other organizations offer financial assistance including KidSport and the YMCA.

Canadian Sport for Life 

Canadian Sport for Life is a movement to improve the quality of sport and physical activity in Canada, and includes three key aspects: long-term development, physical literacy and active for life. Canadian Sport for Life links sport, education, recreation and health, and seeks to align community, provincial and national programming. Learn more about local Sport for Life initiatives in the Okanagan offered through PacificSport.