Tougher financial times, influx of newcomers lead to increased demand for Edmonton sports assistance
There's been a sharp increase in the number of Edmonton families needing help to get their children into sports programs.
From financial assistance to donated equipment, the requests have spiked. Edmonton's KidSport, the local arm of a national non-profit organization that helps families in need with kids' sports registration fees, says demand for their services has increased 52 per cent compared to this time last year.
Edmonton isn't alone in seeing a jump in such need — the KidSport Canada organization in Calgary has seen a 45 per cent increase this year.
Part of the reason why there's an increase this year is because of tougher economic times, said Sadie Reid, operations manager of KidSport in Edmonton.
"The cost of living is increasing rapidly, and as a result, families are having a harder time with their day-to-day finances, so to have your kids in sport on top of that, it's quite difficult," Reid told CTV News Edmonton on Friday.
"Sport registration fees are increasing as a result. Because of that, we're seeing more families in need and increasing numbers, more than we've seen in the past."
Another reason there's a higher demand for help from KidSport is an influx of newcomers to the city, such as Mohammad Turkmani, an elite-level soccer player and Afghan refugee who says he wouldn't be playing without assistance.
"I didn’t know what to do," Turkmani said. "Like, we came from a whole different world on the other side of the world."
Edmonton's Sport Central — an agency that has been gathering donated and used sports equipment for people in need for more than three decades — says the number of new Canadians requesting gear this season is unprecedented.
"We’ve seen a dramatic increase ... about a 30 per cent increase with newcomers," said Janna Tominuk, executive director of Sport Central, adding if the organization can help ease the burden of finding equipment for people already dealing with a new way of life, it counts as a big win.
"With global events, that’s what we’re seeing, I just think Edmonton is a great place to land," said Tominuk. "We’re happy to be here to serve them, and help the kids and the families."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6963716.1720995403!/httpImage/image.jpeg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpeg)
DEVELOPING What we know about the 20-year-old man who tried to assassinate Donald Trump
The FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pa., as the suspect in Saturday's attempted assassination of former U.S. president Donald Trump at a campaign rally.
DEVELOPING FBI investigating Trump rally attack as potential act of domestic terrorism
On the heels of an attempt to kill him, former U.S. President Donald Trump called Sunday for unity and resilience as shocked leaders across the political divide recoiled from the shooting that left him wounded but 'fine.'
Read the letter from Melania Trump responding to attempted assassination of Donald Trump
Former first lady Melania Trump issued her first public response since her husband, former President Donald Trump, was injured in a shooting at one of his rallies on Saturday.
Donald Trump arrives in Milwaukee for RNC after assassination attempt heightens security fears
Former U.S. president Donald Trump has arrived in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention a day after he was targeted in an attempted assassination at a campaign event.
How the attempt on Donald Trump's life could impact the U.S. presidential election
The aftermath of the attempted assassination attempt on former U.S. president Donald Trump this weekend could give him an edge among voters and send him back to the Oval Office, according to one political expert.
Obituary Shannen Doherty, '90210' actress, dies at 53, People magazine reports
American actor Shannen Doherty, best known for her role as high school student Brenda Walsh on hit 1990s television drama 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' has died at age 53 following a years-long battle with cancer.
Spain beats England 2-1 to win record fourth European Championship title
Spain is the king of European soccer for a record fourth time. For England, it's another agonizing near-miss in the team's decades-long tale of underachievement.
Kate, the Princess of Wales, hands Carlos Alcaraz his Wimbledon trophy in a rare appearance for her
Kate, the Princess of Wales, handed Carlos Alcaraz the champion's trophy after the Wimbledon men's final at the All England Club on Sunday in only her second public appearance since announcing she was diagnosed with cancer.
Ontario educational assistant charged after alleged relationship with 14-year-old boy
An educational assistant at a Catholic elementary school in Welland has been charged after allegedly having an "intimate relationship" with a 14-year-old boy who was her former student.