Bow Valley athletic clubs receive funding

BOW VALLEY – Nineteen local organizations will receive between $1,500 to $6,000 from a Bow Valley sporting fund.

The Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation and Bow Valley True Sport and Recreation Council will award $65,000 from the True Sport Youth Fund to athletic-related organizations in the valley.

“Families in the Bow Valley are active and energetic, but they need more financial support than ever to play the sports they love,” said Cathy Geisler, executive director of the Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation in a media release. “Through the True Sport Youth Fund, we are helping sustain sports and recreation organizations so they can expand their programming and stay accessible.”

The True Sport Youth Fund was created in 2016 to help support youth sports and recreation organizations financially. The money is designed to offset operating costs and reduce participation fees for both children and youth taking part in local sports.

The funding has the Pauw Foundation provide the money and Bow Valley True Sport and Recreation Council set priorities, coordinate with local organizations and administer the funding.

Among the organizations receiving funding are the Rocky Mountain Volleyball Club and Bow Valley Little League. The media release stated the volleyball club was able to use last year’s funding to help expand programs for young women and the little league covered costs for umpire and coaching training.

“Many of the costs associated with sports and recreation organizations are passed on to participants, resulting in financial barriers for youth in our community,” said Bill Fisher, the board chair of the Bow Valley True Sport and Recreation Council, in a media release.

“By supporting these 19 clubs, we are helping young people learn the importance of staying healthy, respecting others, and including everyone.”