Ontario is helping athletes reach the highest level of international competition by bringing six major sport events to the province over the next two years including basketball to St. Catharines in June of 2018.
National and International Sporting Events Coming to Ontario
Province Announces Support for Six Major Competitions
Ontario is helping athletes reach the highest level of international competition by bringing six major sport events to the province over the next two years.
Michael Gravelle, MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North, and Bill Mauro, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan will be at the opening ceremony for the 2017 Under-18 Baseball World Cup in Thunder Bay this evening to announce Ontario's support for six more major sport events. This event -- which received support from the province -- is bringing together the world's top junior baseball athletes from 12 nations to participate in the 10-day tournament. It is projected to contribute over $2,150,000 to the local economy.
"Our government recognizes the importance of giving athletes a chance to develop their skills and the opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd. These events grow our sport culture and local economies, and promote volunteerism. Through the Sport Hosting Program, we continue to support events like Thunder Bay’s 2017 Under-18 Baseball World Cup, so communities can experience the thrill of national and international sport events and spark economic activity."
— Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
The six sporting events, which will take place in 2018 and 2019, are:
- The 2018 Speed Nation Ontario Snowboard Cross and Parallel Giant Slalom North American Cup, which will take place in Blue Mountain in March. This event is receiving $35,461 from the Sport Hosting Program.
- The 2018 Canadian Senior Weightlifting Championships, which will take place in Mississauga in May. This event is receiving $19,600 from the Sport Hosting Program.
The 2018 FIBA U18 Americas Basketball Championships, which will take place in St. Catharines in June. This event is receiving $90,000 from the Sport Hosting Program.- The 2018 Barefoot Waterski Championships, which will take place in the Town of Greater Napanee in August. This event is receiving $25,000 from the Sport Hosting Program.
- The 2019 Blue Mountain FIS Ski Cross World Cup, which will take place in Blue Mountain in January. This event is receiving $270,000 from the Sport Hosting Program.
- The 2019 International Special Olympics Invitational Youth Games, which will take place in Toronto in May. This event is receiving $700,000 from the Sport Hosting Program.
- These sporting events give amateur athletes a chance to gain the elite competition experience they need to excel on the world stage. They also promote tourism and boost local economies by bringing more visitors to communities across Ontario.
Investing in the development of amateur athletes is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
QUICK FACTS
- 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.
- 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.
- In 2017-18, the Ontario Sport Hosting Program sport events are projected to contribute $25.6 million to the Gross Domestic Product.
- Ontario is supporting the 2017 Under-18 Baseball World Cup with a $500,000 investment through its Sport Hosting Program.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
