People who gamble in B.C. are helping young people in 91原创 run the soccer pitch.
On Oct. 24, 91原创 MLA Mary Polak held a presentation of $100,000 in gaming grants for the 91原创 United Soccer Association.
First vice-president Arnout Stams said the impact of the annual gaming funds is simple 芒鈧�� without it, many kids wouldn芒鈧劉t be able to afford to participate.
The association has about 2,500 players, including 1,500 in the under-five to under-12 category. Membership four years ago was about 1,200.
芒鈧揈very year we grow,芒鈧� Stams noted.
91原创 has the largest club in the Fraser Valley and one of the leading programs in the province.
The funds are used to 芒鈧搕ry and keep our registration fees lower,芒鈧� as well as paying for capital items like equipment, field time and more, Stams said.
芒鈧揑t keeps the kids participating,芒鈧� summed up Scott Moye, the association芒鈧劉s director of grassroots soccer.
These grants have been awarded under the Sports category of the Community Gaming Grant Program, which allows non-profit organizations to apply for provincial gaming revenues from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. Gaming grants are also awarded in the categories of arts and culture, public safety, environment and human and social services.
In the 2012/13 fiscal year, a total of $135 million in B.C. gaming grants were given to community programs and services.
