Nova Scotia invests $5M to increase sport accessibility, inclusivity

The provincial government is investing $5 million into Sport Nova Scotia to help make sports more inclusive and more accessible to people with disabilities.

“More Nova Scotians, especially children and youth, should have the opportunity to lead healthy, active lives through sport and recreation,” said Premier Iain Rankin in a news release. “We want to lift economic and social barriers to sport, recreation and coaching so more people can get active, have fun, make friends, get healthy and build the confidence to pursue their dreams, whatever they may be.”

This afternoon, Rankin announced $2 million would be used in funding for KidSport, a program providing grants that help cover the cost of sport registration and equipment fees.

Another $2 million is also being used to increase access to recreation facilities and improve the availability of accessible equipment across the province; $500,000 will also go to Sport Nova Scotia's ParaSport program.

“When I started sailing many years ago, there weren't nearly as many opportunities for Nova Scotians of all abilities as there are now,” Five-time paralympian and ParaSport NS coordinator Paul Tingley said at the announcement. “Parasports has grown significantly in recent years; the cost, though, remains an obstacle. So, this funding is going to help make equipment improvements and more people active.

“I'm excited to see more people sign up and take advantage of the Parasport opportunities that we are so lucky to have.”

After the announcement, Rankin played against three Basketball Nova Scotia athletes. By (Chris Stoodley/HalifaxToday.ca)

An improvement to equity in coaching will also see $500,000 in funding. It'll provide new programs for women, Mi'kmaq, African Nova Scotians and those who coach people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

“It's encouraging to see the province prioritize the importance of diversity and equity in sport,” Basketball Nova Scotia executive director Katherine Brien said at the announcement. “This funding will foster positive experiences for athletes and coaches. One in three girls drop out of sport in comparison to one in 10 boys.”

The funding will help increase Sport Nova Scotia's budget of $10 million by 50 per cent.

Overall, the focus of the funding, which is currently a one-time investment, will be on removing barriers — such as limited equipment, ability, programming and funding — for those who want to participate in community and competitive sport.

Rankin told reporters that people with disabilities listed a lack of funding as one of the biggest barriers to accessing sport.

He also said Sport Nova Scotia chose specific programs, including basketball and hockey, that required immediate funding.

The funding will go toward reducing the barriers faced with accessing Nova Scotia sport. By (Chris Stoodley/HalifaxToday.ca)

The province estimates almost 150,000 Nova Scotians are currently members of an organized sport delivery program; there are also 1,100 community sport organizations in Nova Scotia.

“Getting people out and getting people active is a priority for me,” Rankin said. “And when I wanted to invest in the front-end and making sure people have access, equity needs to be apart of that; equity needs to be a part of everything our government does.”