Boccia Canada Receives Funding through Community Sport for All Initiative for Take the Shot Campaign

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, and the Honourable David McGuinty met with local boccia athletes and coaches

Ottawa, ON (February 6, 2024) – Boccia Canada is pleased to announce they are one of several National Sport Organizations to receive funding through the Community Sport for All Initiative.

The funding was announced by the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, while meeting with Boccia Canada staff and attending a practice session with local boccia athletes and coaches in Ottawa.

The Community Sport for All Initiative aims to remove barriers and increase sport participation rates for underrepresented groups.

“We are so pleased to have Minister Qualtrough here announcing this much appreciated initiative and meeting with our truly gifted athletes and dedicated volunteers. This additional funding will provide the opportunity for boccia to be introduced to a greater number of Canadians with a disability across the country. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the social, emotional, and physical benefits that come from inclusive and accessible sport programs. Anyone can play boccia, but it’s particularly inclusive for those with high needs.” Peter Leyser, Executive Director, Boccia Canada.

Boccia Canada’s Take the Shot program has been adapted to “Take the Shot (Paris Edition)” to build excitement and participation around the 2024 Paralympic Games. By using the Paralympic Games as a catalyst for people talking about boccia and inspiring more to ‘Take the Shot’, the hope is people from underserved communities will try the sport and love it.

The Take the Shot (Paris Edition) has four core elements, including grants to host Try-it events, and start up funding for new clubs; a free school-based presentations led by athlete ambassadors; a series of boccia skill and drill videos to support training and programming at the local level; and Postcards to Paris, where Canadians can send a message to boccia athletes competing at the Paralympics.

“Our government encourages all Canadians to pursue healthy lifestyles. Sport plays an important role in this by helping Canadians build the skills they need to grow and thrive physically, mentally, and socially. Through the Community Sport for All Initiative, we are working with the sport community to make sport inclusive, welcoming, and equitable for everyone,” said the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity.

Boccia Canada shares the Government of Canada’s commitment to creating a more inclusive environment for all Canadians to take part in sport, regardless of ethnicity, gender, and ability.

Learn more about Boccia Canada’s Take the Shot program here.