KidSport Announces Partnership with Huskies Athletics and Harvard Broadcasting
When strong organizations come together for the benefit of children – an entire community wins. This sentiment was front and centre when KidSport announced a partnership with Huskies Athletics and Harvard Broadcasting on December 4, 2019 at Keyano’s Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre.
A local social profit, KidSport aims to reduce financial barriers so all children can play sports. The year-long partnership will see both the Huskies and Harvard Broadcasting – home to MIX 103.7 and Cruz 100.5 as KidSport ambassadors - fundraising, volunteering, and highlighting the social profit.
Jamal-E-Fatima Rafat, Executive Director for KidSport was delighted as she made the announcement.
“Having these partners on board means the world to us. Our partners have joined us in the mission of no child left behind on the sidelines due to financial barriers. It also means that our community impact will double with the efforts of partners like the Huskies and Harvard Broadcasting. As part of the partnership, both Huskies and Harvard are pledging to support us in raising awareness of our community impact and assisting us in fundraising. In addition, they will provide us with ambassadors for a year, who will act as our promoters in the community at events and activities organized by KidSport Wood Buffalo,” shared Rafat, who has been with the organization since June 2019.
In 2019 KidSport funded close to 400 children into 25 different sports clubs. Having lost two major funders meant the group was looking for solid collaborations to keep going.
Jonathan Lambert, Director of Athletics, Sport and Student Wellness at Keyano notes, “Huskies Athletics is honoured and excited to be partnering with KidSport this year.”
“We strive to be a major part of the grass root development of sport in our region and this partnership, along with the many hours of community outreach our Huskies coaches and student athletes do each month, will help enhance the physical activity as well as the physical literacy of more children in the Municipality. As we see more children becoming active, we hope this will also impact additional children as they grow older to set personal, academic and athletic goals of wanting to attend Keyano College and be a Keyano Husky student athlete,” adds Lambert.
Andrew Wilcox, Program Director, Harvard Broadcasting notes, “the staff at both Mix 103.7 FM and 100.5 Cruz FM are thrilled at the opportunity to partner with KidSport as they prepare to undertake their 25th year of making a difference for kids in Wood Buffalo.”
“Community is everything to us, and KidSport works all year to make the community a better place for kids and for families by removing barriers that prevent our youth from accessing the sports that enrich their lives. In addition to our joint partnership with KidSport and Keyano Huskies Athletics, we are excited to announce that our own Steve Reeve from 'Mix Mornings' - born and raised in Fort McMurray - has taken on the role of ambassador for the milestone year. Together, with the support we know Wood Buffalo has to give, we can make it an unforgettable year. Together, we will create a lasting difference in the lives of kids who want to play sports - giving them a chance to develop skills and foster dedication that will have a positive impact on their future and the future of the community.”
According to a Keyano news release, the Huskies will be hosting a kick-off event on January 17 and 18 to celebrate this partnership. The weekend-long festivities will include a community barbecue, family activities, and the Huskies men’s and women’s basketball home game.
