The Government of Yukon, in partnership with the Yukon Lottery Commission and Sport Canada, has announced $1.4 million in funding to support the sport and recreation community.

This annual funding supports the operation of sport governing bodies, such as Athletics Yukon and Hockey Yukon, and special recreation groups, like Girl Guides and Scouts. This year, 28 sport organizations and five special recreation groups will receive financial support through the Yukon Recreation Advisory Committee program. Meanwhile, 26 sport organizations will receive grants through the Yukon Sport 4 Life program.  

Funding is also distributed to individual athletes and coaches who have shown a high degree of performance in their sport. This year, 32 athletes and two coaches will receive funding through the High Performance program to help them advance their athletic development and training.

Recipients include Emily Nishikawa (cross country skiing), Cassis Lindsay (swimming) and Kyron Crosby (hockey).

Similarly, the Elite Athlete program provides funding support to athletes who are competing at the highest level of their sport and are carded by Sport Canada.

This year’s recipients include Nadia Moser (biathlon) and Graham Nishikawa (cross country skiing).

“The Yukon is home to one of the most vibrant sport and recreation communities in Canada,” Community Services Minister John Streicker said in the press release.

“Sport, recreation, and active living contribute to our quality of life, and help our communities flourish. Whether you’re starting soccer lessons, working towards an Olympic dream, or keeping things nimble with the ElderActive Recreation Association, this funding helps Yukoners in all walks of life, and of all abilities, to develop their skills, compete and have fun.”

• The Yukon Recreation Advisory Committee funding helps Yukon sport governing bodies and special recreation groups develop and deliver sport and recreation development projects.

Committee funding of $859,500 was shared among 28 sporting groups, ranging from a high of $98,000 for soccer to a low of $7,500 for shooting.

A further $168,050 from the advisory committee was shared among five special recreation groups, from a high of $65,000 for the Skookum Jim Friendship Centre to a low of $13,000 for the Girl Guides.

• Yukon Sport 4 life is project-based funding that supports enhanced sport development initiatives.

Sport 4 Life shared $465,000 with 26 sport disciplines, from a high of $63,500 for cross country skiing to a low of $3,000 for orienteering.

• Elite athlete funding is made available to Yukon athletes who are at the most advanced stages.

The program provided $43,500 in funding to four athletes: $11,500 to cross country ski Olympian Dahria Beatty; $11,500 to paralympian cross country ski guide Graham Nishikawa; $11,500 to Jessica Frotten of the national wheelchair racing team; and $8,500 to biathlon athlete Nadia Moser.

• The Yukon High Performance Athlete Assistance Program provides funding for athletes who have demonstrated performance beyond the territorial level with potential for improvement at the provincial, national or international levels.

The program provided $106,500 to 23 athletes and two coaches, ranging fom a high of $7,000 to several athletes to a low of $500, with most amounts in the $2,000 to $5,000 range.