To help alleviate financial pressures faced by provincial sport and recreation organizations as a result of COVID-19, the province is now accepting applications for the COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Sport. The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, made the announcement today at the NL Sports Centre in St. John’s.

This temporary funding program will allocate approximately $2 million to organizations to help maintain jobs, support business continuity, and provide short-term operational viability that has been negatively impacted by COVID-19.  This funding is part of a $72 million federal financial relief package announced by the Government of Canada in May.

To be eligible for funding assistance, a provincial sport or recreation organization must be recognized/funded by the Provincial Government. For more information on the application process and to apply, visit www.gov.nl.ca/tcar/feature/covid-19-emergency-support-fund-for-sport/.

The application is a two-phased approach, with an initial deadline of Friday, October 30.

The COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Sport complements existing emergency supports announced by the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Quotes
“Alleviating the stress and burden of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a focus of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. We recognize the roadblocks sport and recreation organizations faced during the last few months. Their importance to our health and well-being cannot be underestimated, and I am pleased to have worked with the Government of Canada to secure this short-term funding to ease the financial pressures resulting from this pandemic.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation

ʺWe recognize that sports play an integral role in the physical and mental well-being of Canadians throughout their lifetimes. The federal government is proud to support the Newfoundland and Labrador sport community during this difficult time.”
Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Canadian Heritage

“Our province has always produced amazing athletes. We are helping our sports organizations maintain jobs and continue their great work.”
Honourable Seamus O’Regan
Minister of Natural Resources and MP for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl

“SportNL is pleased with this announcement and that this funding is being made available to our members to support them during these difficult times. COVID-19 has brought many challenges and has placed tremendous stress on many of the amateur sport clubs and associations around the province. This support will provide some much need relief to the sport system allowing our PSOs and their member clubs and associations to keep programming available to the families of our Province.”
Troy Croft
Executive Director, SportNL

“COVID-19 has had a significant financial impact on the recreational and competitive aquatics communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. As all aquatic sports continue to safely return to training at pool facilities across the province, this funding will help maintain the viability of these organizations and retain the opportunities they have worked so hard to create for athletes in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Corina Hartley-Way
Executive Director, SwimNL

“Being a former competitive basketball player, I can’t begin to think what is has been like for athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. I can’t imagine not being able to train or compete or to be able to gather with friends through sport. I would like to wish provincial sport organizations good luck, as they move forward with their modified sport plans during COVID-19. It is great to see the Provincial and Federal Government working together to help support sport organizations during this challenging time. I look forward to a time where we can all enjoy sport again; as athletes, coaches, volunteers or fans.”
Jenine MacFadden
Atlantic University Sports Women’s Basketball MVP from 2002-2005

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Learn more
Application page

Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Centre

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @TCAR_GovNL

Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
709-725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca

Camille Gagné
Press Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage
Camille.gagne@canada.ca

Ian Cameron
Press Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources
613-447-3488

Dave Halliday
SportNL
709-576-4979
dhalliday@sportnl.ca

Corina Hartley-Way
SwimNL
swimnl@sportnl.ca