NEWS RELEASE. Communities around B.C. to host sports events with government help

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1 For Immediate Release 2018TAC Dec. 14, 2018 NEWS RELEASE Communities around B.C. to host sports events with government help VICTORIA British Columbians can look forward to 37 new provincial, regional, national and international sport events close to home next year, thanks to support from the B.C. government. Sports events bring people together, attract new visitors to our province and boost local businesses, said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. From skiing to sailing, fencing and more, the Hosting BC Grants will help communities around B.C to attract and benefit from major sport competitions. The Province will provide $185,500 to support 37 sport events throughout the province, including the North American and Canadian Biathlon Championships, the 2019 World Ringette Championships and the 2019 West Coast Blind Curling Provincial Playdowns. The B.C. government provides $500,000 in Hosting BC grants each year as part of its annual $50-million funding commitment for amateur sport in the province. Hosting BC grants are administered by viasport, a non-profit society that provides funding and support to more than 70 provincial sports organizations. Events like these make it possible for communities across the province to host an incredible lineup of sport competitions, helping to make them healthy, vibrant and connected spaces, said Sheila Bouman, CEO, viasport. These grants help provide access to people of all ages and abilities to participate in sport that is safe, inclusive and meaningful. The Hosting BC program was established to promote sport, economic and community development and to maintain B.C. s reputation as an exceptional sport event destination. Three times per year, applicants can apply for grants to help host international, national, Western Canadian, provincial and regional sport events in their communities. The next intake period is planned for January-February of Since 2004, the Hosting BC program has provided $6.6 million, supporting more than 1,000 sporting events. Quick Facts: ViaSport British Columbia is a not-for-profit organization created with the support of the provincial government in ViaSport envisions a society where people and communities are truly healthy, vibrant and connected because they value and participate in sport. By leading collaboration across sectors, viasport s purpose is to transform and scale the impact of sport through social innovation, investment and capacity building. It emboldens and enables leaders to provide sport experiences that are inclusive, safe and

2 meaningful. Hosting BC grants range from $1,000 to $35,000. Applications for funding are reviewed by the Hosting BC review committee, which is comprised of leaders in the sport and tourism sectors. In the summer of 2018, viasport awarded $175,650 in Hosting BC grants to help sports organizations stage 39 competitions throughout B.C., including the 2018 Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating. Hosting BC grants open for applications every four months. Learn More: viasport British Columbia: viasport.ca For information on the Hosting BC grant process and application: Learn more about the Province s new hosting toolkit at: A backgrounder follows. Contacts: Trish Rorison Government Communications and Public Engagement Ninu Gill Communications and Engagement Director viasport ninug@viasport.ca Connect with the Province of B.C. at: news.gov.bc.ca/connect

3 For Immediate Release 2018TAC Dec. 14, 2018 BACKGROUNDER Thirty-seven sport events receive provincial funding The Government of B.C. has awarded Sport Hosting Event Grant funding to 37 events planned between Dec. 13, 2018, and Nov. 25, This brings the total number of B.C. events awarded funding in 2018 to 117. The latest applicants awarded funding, listed by community, are: Abbotsford: Curl BC 2019 Mixed Doubles Curling Championship Feb. 26-March 3, 2019 Funding: $7,500 Burnaby: Achilles International Track and Field Society Harry Jerome International Track Classic and Pacific World Cup Relays Championships June 29-July 1, 2019 Funding: $10,000 Australian Football League Canada National Junior Australian Football Championships May 10-12, 2019 Funding: $2,500 BC Ultimate Society BC Ultimate Championships May 10-12, 2019 Funding: $2,500 Ringette BC 2019 World Ringette Championships Nov , 2019 Funding: $25,000 Coquitlam: Flip City Gymnastics Club BC Gymnastics Championships for Artistic and T&T April 10-14, 2019 Harrison Hot Springs: Cultus Lake Sailing Club 2019 Hobie 16 and 20 North American Championships Sept , 2019

4 Hedley: Apex Freestyle Club BC Timber Tour and Super Youth Series Jan , 2019 Apex Freestyle Club 2019 Canadian Selections Dec , 2018 Apex Ski Club U16 Teck Open Round 3 Finals March 21-24, 2019 Kamloops: Canadian Council of the Blind BC-Yukon Division 47th Annual Western Blind Curling Championships March 20-23, 2019 Kelowna: BC Snowboard Association 2019 Speed Nation SBX Nationals March 26-30, 2019 Central Okanagan Sailing Association Sail West 2019 July 4-7, 2019 Kelowna Ringette Association Kelowna Sweetheart Tournament Feb. 8-10, 2019 Langley: Basketball BC Provincial Club Zone Championships and Provincial Zone Championships May 3-June 9, 2019 Racquetball Canada 2019 Canadian National Racquetball Championships May 19-25, 2019 Revelstoke: Revelstoke Nordic Ski Club BC Cup #2 Jan , 2019 Funding: $2,500 Richmond: B.C. Fencing Association Peter Bakonya World Cup Feb. 8-10, 2019 Funding: $15,000

5 B.C. Fencing Association 2019 World Cup Jan , 2019 Volleyball BC 17/18U Club Provincials April 19-22, 2019 Volleyball Canada 2019 VC Nationals Richmond 14U May 9-12, 2019 Funding: $7,500 Salmon Arm: Larch Hills Nordic Society 2019 Teck B.C. Cross Country Ski Championships March 1-3, 2019 Smithers: Bulkley Valley Gymnastics Association Smithers Invitational Gymnastics Meet Jan. 26, 2019 Surrey: BC 5 Pin Bowlers Association Canadian Open 5 Pin Bowling Championships May 27-June 2, 2019 Sun Peaks: BC Snowboard Association 2019 Air Nation Slopestyle Jan , 2019 Trail: Greater Trail Minor Hockey Association 2019 BC Hockey Female Peewee Championships March 20-25, 2019 Vancouver: Special Olympics British Columbia Society Ton Greenfield Memorial Swim Meet Feb. 17, 2019 University of British Columbia Athletics and Recreation 2019 U SPORTS Swimming National Championships Feb , 2019 Funding: $8,000 Canadian Dolphin Swim Club Swim BC Age Group Championships Feb , 2019

6 Victoria: Basketball BC Canada Basketball U15 and U17 Female National Championships Aug. 5-11, 2019 Funding: $10,000 Curl BC 2019 Under 18 BC Curling Championships March 12-17, 2019 Racquet Club of Victoria Skating Club 2019 Vancouver Island Region Championships Feb. 1-3, 2019 Whistler: BC Luge Association Nor Am Cup Jan , 2019 BC Luge Association Canada Cup Feb , 2019 Whistler Biathlon Society 2019 North American and Canadian Biathlon Championships March 26-31, 2019 Funding: $10,000 Winfield: British Columbia Weightlifting Association 2019 Western Canadian Weighlifting Championships March 30-31, 2019 Funding: $7, Mile House: British Columbia Blind Sports and Recreation West Coast Blind Curling Provincial Playdowns Jan , 2019 Contacts: Trish Rorison Government Communications and Public Engagement Ninu Gill Communications and Engagement Director viasport Connect with the Province of B.C. at: news.gov.bc.ca/connect