Province Investing in Amateur Sports, Growing Local Economies - Two Welland events included.
Ontario is giving more local athletes the opportunity to compete in high-level competitions close to home and boosting local economies by supporting national and international sport events across the province.Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, was at the 2017 Canadian Wheelchair Rugby Championship in Hamilton to announce that the province is supporting 17 sport events. The 2017 Canadian Wheelchair Rugby Championship is one of the successful recipients of the Sport Hosting Program, and will welcome 11 of Canada's best wheelchair rugby teams, including 22 coaches and 35 volunteers.
By supporting sport events across Ontario, the province is providing opportunities for Ontario's amateur athletes to gain the elite competition experience they need to excel on the world stage. These events also promote tourism and boost local economies by bringing major sport events to local communities.
Locally, Welland will be host to three events this summer supported by Ontario:
June 11 - 13th, 2017
Niagara Wheelchair Tennis Open
Part of the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour
June 20 -22, 2017
Young’s Sportsplex - Welland, ON
The Canadian Sprint Canoe Kayak Championships and the Canoe Kayak North America Indigenous Games will both take place at the Welland International Flatwater Centre this summer as well.
Investing in the development of amateur athletes is part of the government's plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
QUICK FACTS
- Ontario is investing $18,000 in the 2017 Wheelchair Rugby National Championships.
- The 2017 Canadian Wheelchair Rugby Championship is anticipated to welcome 250 visitors and contribute more than $40,000 to the local economy.
- Ontario’s Sport Hosting Program is part of Game ON – The Ontario Government’s Sport Plan to help more Ontarians participate and excel in sport. Game ON recognizes the many ways organized sport can be good for people and communities, including the health and economic benefits of hosting major sport events.
- Since 2013, Ontario has supported 76 events through the Sport Hosting Program. The program provides funding to help applicants deliver national and international amateur single-sport events.
In 2017-18, the Ontario Sport Hosting Program Intake 1 sport events are projected to contribute $15.8 million to the Gross Domestic Product.
"The Ontario Wheelchair Sport Association is proud to be hosting the 2017 Wheelchair Rugby Championship in Hamilton with support from the province’s Sport Hosting Program. Thanks to Canada’s spectacular gold medal win against the USA in the Parapan Am Games, the profile of wheelchair rugby has never been higher. The national championship brings together Canada’s national team athletes and the next generation of developing players for a weekend of intense competition." — Laura Wilson, Executive Director, Ontario Wheelchair Sports Association
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