When the community comes together, wonderful things happen

Annual Report 2022

Leadership Team

    • Craig Knapton, President

    • Ryan Brown, Past President

    • Scott Trotter, Vice President

    • Mary McGivern, Secretary

    • Ross Forman, Director

    • Paul Harman, Treasurer

    • Christine Dawes, Director

    • Matt Davis, Director

    • Wade Bartok, Director

    • Kelly Aslanowicz, Director

    • Ryan Russell, Director

    • Annette Johanson, Director

    • Keith Calder, Director

    • Valerie Gosselin, Executive Director

    • Anna O-Shea, Program Administrator

    • Dave Babych, Athletics Spokesman

From our Leadership

As we look back on the 2022 year, we feel extremely grateful for the countless communities who have stood by us to break the barriers to sports for many children and youth across British Columbia.  With approximately 900 Sport4Life grants distributed in 33 regions across BC, sports became a reality for many kids last year.  Sports steered several young athletes in the right direction and set the tone for their life's journey. 

I believe that sports is the vehicle that takes us to great balance, great health and great potential.  I'm always reminded me of my time on a six-person outrigger canoe, heading out in the Strait of Georgia, paddling in complete unison with the rest of my canoe mates.  It was a feeling unlike any other.  We were all speaking the same language and we understood each other so well, simply through activity.  That sense of connection with others and with yourself is what makes sports extraordinary. 

Since 2002, Athletics4Kids has provided over $2.5 million through over 12,500 Sport4Life Grants. In 2023, we aim to fulfill 1200 more grants for deserving kids to support them in over 55 different kinds of sports.  

Thank you for your participation in helping us deliver our mission to ensure all BC kids can participate in organized sports by supporting families in need with financial assistance.  Every child should have the chance to play.  Below is the impact you have all made on our kids in 2022.  From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.  

With gratitude,
 
Valerie Gosselin
Executive Director, Athletics4Kids

Sports can transform children socially, emotionally and physically—today, and for the rest of their lives.

One in five children in BC live in poverty.

For children living in poverty, the opportunity to play sports is often out of reach for their family financially. One third of children across Canada are not able to participate in sports because of financial barriers.

We believe in the power of sport to transform a child's life. Whether it's for a single season or their entire childhood, we believe every kid in BC should have the chance to play.

Here’s How We Get Kids in the Game

At Athletics4Kids, we believe that every child should have the chance to play. Through our Sport4Life Grant Program, we ensure that kids between the ages of 5-18 are able to play and participate in amateur sports. Whether that's swimming lessons at the rec center, community lacrosse, or joining a gymnastics club, we provide financial assistance to help low-income families cover registration fees for non-school-based amateur sports.

  • We Champion Families

    We champion low-income families across BC and our province's most vulnerable children. Through a simple, discreet granting process, we help parents and caregivers say "yes!" to their kids by ensuring they have the funds to help cover their registration fees for over 45 different organized sports—season after season, year after year.

  • We Work With the Community

    Through our growing network of coaches, counselors, educators, and administrators, we connect with families across BC that need our support to get their kids in the game. We focus on serving communities where child poverty rates are high, and access to sport is low. In 2022, the communities we prioritized were Surrey, Delta, and Coquitlam.

  • We Partner With Donors

    We believe in the power of our collective action and partner with individual donors, foundations, businesses and government to ensure we are able to fulfill every grant application we receive. With a small, talented team and efficient processes, we maximize the impact of every dollar given to ensure as many kids as possible are able to play sports.

Here’s what we did together in 2022.

Sports has the power to transform a child’s life. As we reflect on this past year, we are grateful for everyone that came together to support so many athletes in the community.

Meet a Few of the Athletes You’re Championing

  • “Skating has changed Sacha. He has become so much more mature, and he is a kind boy. Life hasn't been always easy for us, especially the children. Sacha has gained leadership skills with his skating and teaches in the CanSkate program."

    • Sacha’s mom. Sacha is a Sport4Life Grant Recipient for Figure Skating

  • "I love cheer. It makes me happy. I like to be happy."

    • Helaina, Sport4Life Grant Recipient for Cheerleading

  • "Martial arts has helped Andrei grow into a responsible kid, to learn patience, self-discipline, attentiveness and it has helped him big time with his ADHD."

    • From Andrei’s Guardian. Andrei is a A4K Sport4Life Grant Recipient for Martial Arts

  • "Sports is important because it keeps you healthy, you have fun and you meet lots of new friends. It can also give you confidence and challenge you."

    • Navannah, Sport4Life Grant Recipient for Cheerleading

  • “Jayden and Ashton break many barriers of autism because sports motivates them and discharges all "crazy behaviour" energy. Their sports are not possible without A4K’s support and the community which helps them thrive.”

    • Jayden & Ashton’s Mom. These two have been Sport4Life Grant Recipients in swimming for six years

Your Impact

  • Sport4Life Grants Awarded 2020 - 2022

    Covid-19 significantly impacted A4K, since our donations and grant numbers were at an all time low, but this year the number of grants awarded is over double that of what it was at the onset of the pandemic.

  • Value of Sport4Life Grants Funded 2020 - 2022

    We are proud of our ability to bounce back and share with you that the value of the grants awarded this past year was 2.5x of what it was at the onset of the pandemic.

  • Sports our Sport4Life Grant Recipients Participated In

    In 2022, we served kids in 33 regions across BC with a strategic focus on neighbourhoods like Surrey, Delta and Coquitlam where child poverty rates are high and access to sport is low. This diagram shows the breakdown of which sports our athletes were able to participate in with the Sport4Life Grants you helped provide.

“Ryker has been struggling with medical issues which make him immune compromised and home a lot. He has anxiety and wears orthotics so his team at the hospital suggested signing up for Tae Kwon Do for both the physicality of it and because it builds confidence. As much as I loved the idea of it, I knew I couldn’t afford to send him there so our social worker at the hospital suggested A4K. We love to watch him through the window and hear how excited he is when explaining what he learned and what he can do.”

  • Ryker’s Mom

Financial Review 2022

Revenue: $475,360

  • Fundraising Events: $204,507

  • Donations: $266,594

  • Other: $4,259

Expenses: $404,212

  • Sport4Life Grants: $190,650

  • Program Expenses: $81,917

  • Fundraising and Administration: $131,645

NOTE: These financials are a draft and will be finalized and approved at our upcoming AGM in June.

Meet our Champions

  • Aeronn Zlotnik

    Anthony Vecchio

    BMO

    Bradley Carlyle

    Bruce Marginson

    Bruce Russell

    Capilano Audi

    Capilano Builders

    Capilano Kitchen & Bath

    Central Okanagan Foundation

    Cheryl Johnston

    City of North Vancouver

    Coastline Cleaning Service Ltd.

    Dave Hood

    David Owen

    DB Perks

    District of North Vancouver

    District of West Vancouver

    DNV Charitable Society

    Dustin Bray

  • Enerpro Systems Corp.

    Enterprise Holdings Foundation

    Francis Family Foundation

    Fraserview Cedar Products

    Generic Customers

    Geoff Plante

    Gordon Allan

    Gregory Aasen

    Gulf Pacific Group

    Hallmark Housekeeping Services Inc.

    Hollyburn Country Club

    Ian Smortchevsky

    Indigo Parc Canada Inc.

    JD Nelson and Assoc Ltd.

    Jeff Lewis

    John Macmillan

    John Watson Ltd.

    John Zaplatynsky

    Keith Calder

    Kevin Midwood

    Kevin Qualtrough

    Knapton Agencies

  • Leon Judah Blackmore Foundation

    Mary McGivern

    Maureen Wright

    Michael Armstrong

    Mike Walls MNP LLP

    North Okanagan Community Foundation

    North Shore Sports Medicine

    North Shore Stars Volleyball Club

    Pacific Capital Properties Corp.

    Park Place Foundation

    Paul Dique

    Paula Sangha

    Phil Christopher

    Port Moody Foundation

    RBC

    Robert B Nelson

    Rowena Veylan

    Rupinder Chane

    Ryan Russell

  • Sandy's Furniture

    Sangha Properties

    Scott Stockley

    Scott Trotter

    Staub Electronics

    Stefan Leja

    Super Valu #98

    Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society

    SVP Vancouver

    Telus Friendly Future Foundation

    Tom Muller Vancouver

    Talmud Torah Association

    Wade Bartok

    Wayne Powell

    Westland Insurance

    World Wide Shipping & Chartering Ltd.

    Xiaoqing Pan

Also, we want to give a BIG thank you to all of our amazing volunteers who helped out with every event and supported A4K this year. None of this would be possible without you!

  • "A4K has really helped relieve the on-going financial burden I am struggling with and has allowed my daughter to excel in a sport she loves. I have seen her skills and confidence grow so much over the past few months being in this sport."

    • Parent of Sport4Life Grant Recipient

  • "A4K has helped my kids find their dream sport."

    • Parent of Sport4Life Grant Recipient

  • "A4K helped my daughter continue her dream to become a professional gymnast."

    • Parent of Sport4Life Grant Recipient

  • "A4K's support is greatly appreciated, as without it my girls could not play sports."

    • Parent of Sport4Life Grant Recipient

  • "Gymnastics is something that my daughter looks forward to every week but unfortunately I cannot afford the full cost of it on my own. I am very grateful that there are programs such as A4K that make this possible for her. She has become so much stronger physically, mentally and emotionally through gymnastics. Thank you!"

    • Parent of Sport4Life Grant Recipient

2022 Fundraising Events & Community Celebrations

  • Bids4Kids Online Auction

    Between May 6th and May 15th we will held a spectacular online auction : Bids 4 Kids! Participants had the opportunity to bid on all kinds of unique auction items and support A4K while they did it!

  • 1st Annual Volleyball Tournament

    The 1st annual A4K Volleyball tournament was held in North Vancouver and presented by Maven Consulting Ltd. Participants of a variety of skill levels had a great time playing volleyball with some exciting prizes donated by event sponsors.

  • 8th Annual Charity Golf Invitational

    The 8th annual Charity Golf tournament was hosted by Staub Electronics and proceeds benefited Athletics4Kids. In addition to a full round of golf, there was also a virtual silent auction along with other contests and prizes!

  • Battle of the Brews! Hosted by the Surrey Fire Fighters

    The Battle of the Brews was an awesome event that supported A4K and Surrey Fire Fighters' Charitable Society Youth Initiatives. In this fourth annual "Battle of the Brews", attendees voted on their favourite beer while listening to alternative music from 102.7 The Peak.

  • 20th Anniversary Celebration

    A4K celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2022 - a huge milestone to celebrate the over 11,000 A4K athletes funded over the last two decades ! A4K families and friends were invited to join a fun day in the sun filled with sports, games, face painting and BBQ!

  • 11th Annual Fishing Derby Hosted by the DNV Fire Fighters

    The District of North Vancouver Fire Fighters hosted their annual fishing derby where proceeds benefit A4K and The Seymour Salmonid Society. The biggest fish caught was 45 lbs!

  • Double the Scoreboard Match Campaign

    Every dollar raised between October 17th and November 29th was doubled by one of our awesome community sponsors.

Thank you!

We believe in the power of sport to transform a child's life. Whether it's for a single season or their entire childhood, we believe every kid in BC should have the chance to play.

Thank you for joining us and for your support and encouragement.