Athletes on the ice and on the cane ball court stand to benefit from the funding.
A local children’s charity organization and a unique sport new to Langley have received a financial push forward.
2010 Legacies Now, in partnership with the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport, will provide $2,000 to Langley City to start a new cane ball league for youth.
The groups will also dole out $2,000 to the PuCKS Powerplay Foundation to support recreational and early-level competitive hockey.
The grants were made available through the Local Sport Program Development Fund (LSDF).
Cane ball is a traditional sport from Southeast Asia combining elements from volleyball, soccer and gymnastics. The LSDF grant will be used to start a new league led by Karen refugees in the community, and to develop new social connections for them in Langley.
PuCKS Powerplay Foundation will use its funds to pay for more ice-time, gear, and instruction for hockey participants in its recreational and early-level programs.
“The PuCKS Rec Program offers a 10-month recreational ‘cul-de-sac’ hockey experience each Friday afternoon to 45 girls and boys, ages eight to 18, who are at-risk or newly re-settled to Canada,” explained Connie Klimek from the PuCKS Powerplay Foundation.
The LSDF is made available to municipalities, sport organizations and Aboriginal communities. Organizations receive up to $2,000 to develop new (or enhance existing) programs that encourage greater participation and access to sport for people of all abilities.
“Being active in local team sports is a great way to get healthy and get connected to the community,” said Langley MLA Mary Polak.
“For the more than 300 Karen refugees in Langley the introduction of cane ball is also a way for their youth to feel included.”
Fort Langley-Aldergrove MLA Rich Coleman said students need a healthy foundation.
“Getting involved in local sports like the PuCKS Rec and Power Nation programs offers new opportunities for children with few choices and for those at-risk,” Coleman said. “By investing in children’s sporting programs, we are building a stronger community.”
Source: Langley Advance
Originally Published: Friday, December 18, 2009
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