Guelph, ON – On Wednesday, local MPP Mike Schreiner met with the team at Guelph Soccer Club to hear more about the $198,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was used to support children and youth programming in the community. The project has helped build resilience and sustainability by developing and scaling training for volunteer coaches and improving access to affordable soccer programming.

“Congratulations to Guelph Soccer on receiving this important grant. With this funding, more young people across Guelph will be able to develop their skills and enjoy playing soccer in a local park. I am grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for helping Guelph Soccer build community through this grant,” said Mike Schreiner, MPP for Guelph.

The grant funded the development of a free specialized training module called “Promoting Resilience through Sports and Recreation: A Guide for Coaches”, which is currently available for anyone to take online.

In addition to the training module, the Guelph Soccer Club has been able to grow its Neighborhood Program, which is a co-ed recreational soccer program for participants 4 to 12 years of age. It has also enabled the Club to build a partnership with Immigrant Services Guelph Wellington where soccer programming has been made available to newcomer families in the community.

“The impact of this Ontario government grant cannot be overstated”, said David Frizzell, Executive Director of the Guelph Soccer Club. “This grant has allowed us to enhance the training of our valued volunteer coaches, while continuing to grow affordable programming in the community, and expand our offerings to newcomer families.”

The Guelph Soccer Club is a non-profit organization in the City of Guelph that offers year-round programming. The demand for soccer continues to rise as the Club is projected to surpass 6,000 participants this year. Registration is now open for summer with limited space available. For more information please visit: www.guelphsoccer.ca

“Whether it’s helping people learn new things, connect with their community, or simply have fun, organizations like Guelph Soccer Club deliver experiences that make a difference,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “That’s why grant support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is so important. This funding will help ensure they remain at the heart of the community for decades to come."

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105M into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

Organization Contact for Media Inquiries:

David Frizzell, Executive Director Guelph Soccer Club 519-824-2199 david.frizzell@guelphsoccer.ca

$198,000 OTF Grant from the Ontario Government Helps Community Become More Resilient