Initial round of Football Canada First Down grants awarded

Program to promote involvement in football across the country

OTTAWA – Football Canada announced that twelve football programs from around the country are the initial recipients of grants from the First Down program. The program, which is intended to promote participation in football, awards $2,500 to each complete program, and $1,000 for a one-day event. The recipients range across five provinces, from Vancouver to Stratford, P.E.I., and their programs all focus on programming for girls, new Canadians, or Indigenous participants as the grant is intended to diversify engagement in football across the country.

The programs awarded grants are:

• Vancouver, B.C.: An 8-week program from the BC Provincial Football Association targeting girls and indigenous youth aged 5-18 at Britannia Secondary School.
• Broadview, Sask: A program by Chief Kahkewistahaw Community School to introduce football to indigenous youth aged 6-8.
• Regina, Sask.: A program from the Regina Youth Flag Football League for girls and indigenous youth aged 5.
• Winnipeg, Man.: The Winnipeg Wolfpack will be offering a one-day event on January 9 to introduce football to girls of all ages.
• Winnipeg, Man.: The St. Vital Mustangs will offer a program for youth aged 4-7 in early 2022.
• St. Thomas, Ont.: A program targeting girls aged 4-8 conducted by Rail City Flag.
• Peterborough, Ont: Kawartha Football will host a program in January and February for elementary school students
• Ottawa, Ont.: Ottawa Women’s Football will be conducting a program with sessions for girls aged 10-14 and 15-19.
• Cumberland, Ont.: A program by the Cumberland Panthers to introduce girls to tackle football
• Cornwall, Ont.: A program from the Cornwall Minor Football Association to run in the spring, targeting indigenous youth aged 4-7
• Charlottetown, P.E.I.: A program to run in early 2022, targeting girls from 5-8.
• Stratford, P.E.I.: A program by the Stratford Flag Football club aimed at girls aged 5-8

While the first set of grants have been awarded, applications are still open, with eight $2500 grants available. Applicants must be members of their provincial football association or associate members of Football Canada.

Interested and eligible groups can access the grant application form through the Football Canada website here.