Sport and recreation play a vital role in children’s health while building lifelong skills and friendships. Yet registration fees and equipment costs can stand as barriers and keep kids on the sidelines, preventing them from participating in the activities and sports they love.
This last year, Alberta’s government invested $8 million through the Every Kid Can Play program to expand access to sports and recreation for children and youth. KidSport Alberta received $3.5 million and this year will be receiving an additional $547,000 to reach even more Alberta families. This new funding is in addition to the existing support and will directly support more than 1,500 additional kids to get in the game.
“Playing sports helps kids stay active, build confidence and learn essential skills. Our government is committed to removing financial barriers so children and youth can participate in the sports they love. This additional funding will help even more families access sport and recreation across the province.”
The Every Kid Can Play program addresses accessibility challenges, reduces financial pressures and supports over 130 participating provincial and community non-profit organizations across Alberta. Since launching in 2023, the program has supported more than 35,000 children registering for sport activities and will support more than 12,000 children this year alone. KidSport Alberta helps eligible families receive up to $350 per child to help cover registration fees for sport and recreational activities.
“KidSport Calgary is extremely proud and grateful of this partnership with the Government of Alberta and the Every Kid Can Play Program. The program provides ongoing critical support to our KidSport Calgary chapter and has allowed us to continue serving families in Calgary and area. Through this funding, we supported 5,000 local kids in 2025 to participate in and benefit from the sport of their choice.”
“We are incredibly grateful to the Government of Alberta for this additional investment in the Every Kid Can Play program. These funds will directly help more kids access organized sport, remove financial barriers for families, and increase sport participation across communities in our great province. This support reinforces a shared commitment to ensuring that cost is never a reason a child is left on the sidelines.”
Related information
Related news
- Empowering kids to get in the game (February 28, 2025)
- Keeping sport affordable for Alberta families (June 18, 2024)
- Helping all kids pursue their passion in sports (March 5, 2024)
- Keeping kids sports affordable (July 18, 2023)