Latest news with #PlayItForward
Toronto Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
CFL, nine member clubs donate over $4.5 million to grassroots football programs
TORONTO - The CFL and its nine member clubs invested over $4.5 million into amateur football last year. The league announced Friday that it and the nine franchises combined to donate $4,518,900 to grassroots football initiatives, projects and programs throughout Canada in 2024. 'The community involvement of the CFL, its clubs and players is something that sets us apart from other leagues,' said CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston. 'To be able, among all of the clubs in the league, to donate over $4.5 million is encouraging participation and exposure to the game and ultimately having kids fall in love with the sport. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'That's wonderful for a number of reasons, one of which is the game of football teaches such great skills that can be applied to life.' The CFL said it made 2,019 appearances last year, including 1,023 school visits, with players and staff spending 11,457 hours in communities and reaching more than 84,000 youth. 'Ultimately, football players become football fans,' Johnston said. 'We think we're going to be seeing them at the stadium cheering on their teams as well as watching at home on TV. 'It's a great strategy for us to be involved in the community, be great corporate citizens and develop new fans.' Two of the CFL's initiatives included the Women in Football Program — which provides a platform for participants to develop skills at the professional level — and its partnership with Blackhawk Tires that raised $40,000 through the Touchdowns for Communities, a strategy that provides funding for provincial football organizations to grow female programs across Canada. Among the team initiatives - The Montreal Alouettes supported 50 charitable initiatives and organizations, including amateur football and flag teams. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW - The Ottawa Redblacks expanded to eight events with six to eight players attending each one to serve as guest coaches at the local minor football level. - The Toronto Argonauts partnered with Football Toronto to create the Argos' equipment bank, a program that recertifies and safeties helmets for their entire 10-year lifespan, and loans them free of charge to high schools across the city. The club also awarded a $50,000 grant to the Ontario Women's Intercollegiate Football Association. - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats' Play It Forward program provides Indigenous youth with opportunities centred around the game of football. The First On the Field Flag Football initiative allows youth from local schools to participate in flag football games at Hamilton Stadium. - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers' football academy welcomed over 800 participants at no cost to develop skills and grow their football IQ. The team's Girls High School Flag Football League returned for a second season, expanding from 18 to 28 schools and over 300 participants with the franchise providing all the necessary equipment. - The Saskatchewan Roughriders' North Sask Football Jamboree incorporates youth teams from across the province for a weekend of competition and skills development. The club's Grow the Game program involves grassroots football across Saskatchewan and introduces the game to non-traditional football communities. - The Calgary Stampeders' rookie class hosts the Jr Stamps Camp for 500 youth at McMahon Stadium. And its Football 101 program features players travelling to school across the city during the off-season. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW - The Edmonton Elks' Junior High Flag Football League included 29 girls teams and 43 boys teams in association with Metro Athletics. The league ran for five weeks, and eight teams were ultimately showcased at halftime of a preseason game. - The B.C. Lions introduced a new women's flag program, which included two clinics for women and girls aged 12 years and older. And in association with B.C. High School Football, community coaches worked with members of the Lions coaching staff. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
CFL, nine member clubs donate over $4.5 million to grassroots football programs
TORONTO - The CFL and its nine member clubs invested over $4.5 million into amateur football last year. The league announced Friday that it and the nine franchises combined to donate $4,518,900 to grassroots football initiatives, projects and programs throughout Canada in 2024. 'The community involvement of the CFL, its clubs and players is something that sets us apart from other leagues,' said CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston. 'To be able, among all of the clubs in the league, to donate over $4.5 million is encouraging participation and exposure to the game and ultimately having kids fall in love with the sport. 'That's wonderful for a number of reasons, one of which is the game of football teaches such great skills that can be applied to life.' The CFL said it made 2,019 appearances last year, including 1,023 school visits, with players and staff spending 11,457 hours in communities and reaching more than 84,000 youth. 'Ultimately, football players become football fans,' Johnston said. 'We think we're going to be seeing them at the stadium cheering on their teams as well as watching at home on TV. 'It's a great strategy for us to be involved in the community, be great corporate citizens and develop new fans.' Two of the CFL's initiatives included the Women in Football Program — which provides a platform for participants to develop skills at the professional level — and its partnership with Blackhawk Tires that raised $40,000 through the Touchdowns for Communities, a strategy that provides funding for provincial football organizations to grow female programs across Canada. Among the team initiatives - The Montreal Alouettes supported 50 charitable initiatives and organizations, including amateur football and flag teams. - The Ottawa Redblacks expanded to eight events with six to eight players attending each one to serve as guest coaches at the local minor football level. - The Toronto Argonauts partnered with Football Toronto to create the Argos' equipment bank, a program that recertifies and safeties helmets for their entire 10-year lifespan, and loans them free of charge to high schools across the city. The club also awarded a $50,000 grant to the Ontario Women's Intercollegiate Football Association. - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats' Play It Forward program provides Indigenous youth with opportunities centred around the game of football. The First On the Field Flag Football initiative allows youth from local schools to participate in flag football games at Hamilton Stadium. - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers' football academy welcomed over 800 participants at no cost to develop skills and grow their football IQ. The team's Girls High School Flag Football League returned for a second season, expanding from 18 to 28 schools and over 300 participants with the franchise providing all the necessary equipment. - The Saskatchewan Roughriders' North Sask Football Jamboree incorporates youth teams from across the province for a weekend of competition and skills development. The club's Grow the Game program involves grassroots football across Saskatchewan and introduces the game to non-traditional football communities. - The Calgary Stampeders' rookie class hosts the Jr Stamps Camp for 500 youth at McMahon Stadium. And its Football 101 program features players travelling to school across the city during the off-season. - The Edmonton Elks' Junior High Flag Football League included 29 girls teams and 43 boys teams in association with Metro Athletics. The league ran for five weeks, and eight teams were ultimately showcased at halftime of a preseason game. - The B.C. Lions introduced a new women's flag program, which included two clinics for women and girls aged 12 years and older. And in association with B.C. High School Football, community coaches worked with members of the Lions coaching staff. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
CFL, nine member clubs donate over $4.5 million to grassroots football programs
TORONTO – The CFL and its nine member clubs invested over $4.5 million into amateur football last year. The league announced Friday that it and the nine franchises combined to donate $4,518,900 to grassroots football initiatives, projects and programs throughout Canada in 2024. 'The community involvement of the CFL, its clubs and players is something that sets us apart from other leagues,' said CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston. 'To be able, among all of the clubs in the league, to donate over $4.5 million is encouraging participation and exposure to the game and ultimately having kids fall in love with the sport. 'That's wonderful for a number of reasons, one of which is the game of football teaches such great skills that can be applied to life.' The CFL said it made 2,019 appearances last year, including 1,023 school visits, with players and staff spending 11,457 hours in communities and reaching more than 84,000 youth. 'Ultimately, football players become football fans,' Johnston said. 'We think we're going to be seeing them at the stadium cheering on their teams as well as watching at home on TV. 'It's a great strategy for us to be involved in the community, be great corporate citizens and develop new fans.' Two of the CFL's initiatives included the Women in Football Program — which provides a platform for participants to develop skills at the professional level — and its partnership with Blackhawk Tires that raised $40,000 through the Touchdowns for Communities, a strategy that provides funding for provincial football organizations to grow female programs across Canada. Among the team initiatives – The Montreal Alouettes supported 50 charitable initiatives and organizations, including amateur football and flag teams. – The Ottawa Redblacks expanded to eight events with six to eight players attending each one to serve as guest coaches at the local minor football level. – The Toronto Argonauts partnered with Football Toronto to create the Argos' equipment bank, a program that recertifies and safeties helmets for their entire 10-year lifespan, and loans them free of charge to high schools across the city. The club also awarded a $50,000 grant to the Ontario Women's Intercollegiate Football Association. – The Hamilton Tiger-Cats' Play It Forward program provides Indigenous youth with opportunities centred around the game of football. The First On the Field Flag Football initiative allows youth from local schools to participate in flag football games at Hamilton Stadium. – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers' football academy welcomed over 800 participants at no cost to develop skills and grow their football IQ. The team's Girls High School Flag Football League returned for a second season, expanding from 18 to 28 schools and over 300 participants with the franchise providing all the necessary equipment. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. – The Saskatchewan Roughriders' North Sask Football Jamboree incorporates youth teams from across the province for a weekend of competition and skills development. The club's Grow the Game program involves grassroots football across Saskatchewan and introduces the game to non-traditional football communities. – The Calgary Stampeders' rookie class hosts the Jr Stamps Camp for 500 youth at McMahon Stadium. And its Football 101 program features players travelling to school across the city during the off-season. – The Edmonton Elks' Junior High Flag Football League included 29 girls teams and 43 boys teams in association with Metro Athletics. The league ran for five weeks, and eight teams were ultimately showcased at halftime of a preseason game. – The B.C. Lions introduced a new women's flag program, which included two clinics for women and girls aged 12 years and older. And in association with B.C. High School Football, community coaches worked with members of the Lions coaching staff. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 30, 2025.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
#ShahoshiRani celebrates courageous women at knight golf event
Kolkata Knight Riders launched the #ShahoshiRani initiative alongside the 8th Knight Golf edition, honoring courageous women. The initiative integrates Play It Forward, Skill Up For Equality, and the Vidushee Programme, empowering women through sports and skill development. Knight Golf proceeds will support the Meer Foundation, furthering KKR's commitment to social change and celebrating the 'Brave Queens' in real life. The Kolkata home team has successfully launched their #ShahoshiRani initiative on Tuesday alongside the 8th edition of Knight Golf at a city golf club. #ShahoshiRani pays tribute to women demonstrating exceptional courage in challenging circumstances. This initiative integrates several impactful pillars: Play It Forward, Skill Up For Equality, and the Vidushee Programme, with beneficiaries from each celebrated at the event. The initiative reflects KKR's dedication to creating social impact through sports and empowerment, aiming to amplify extraordinary women's voices while promoting inclusivity. By connecting #ShahoshiRani with Knight Golf, KKR united team management, players, and supporters for community engagement. Speaking about the initiative, Venky Mysore, CEO of Kolkata Knight Riders said, "The #ShahoshiRani initiative exemplifies KKR's values beyond cricket. By celebrating these remarkable women alongside Knight Golf, we're reinforcing our commitment to meaningful social change." Adding to this, Binda Dey, CMO of the team said 'This initiative embodies the strength, hope, and resilience we witness in women daily. Through #ShahoshiRani and events like Knight Golf, we leverage sports and storytelling to generate meaningful community impact." The initiative addresses three critical areas: upskilling women from underserved communities in tailoring and beauty services for financial independence; providing sports programs with mental health support to rural girls and children in rehabilitation homes; and training tribal girls as community educators who now teach first-generation learners in remote villages. All proceeds from Knight Golf will support the Meer Foundation and related initiatives focused on empowering women facing adversity. 'When we were ideating for this campaign, we realised KKR's 'Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo' philosophy isn't limited to cricket, but applies brilliantly outside the field as well. And when we heard the inspiring stories of these young girls and women, their bravery and never-give-up attitude stood out. If KKR's men are 'Knights' in the game, these girls and women are the true 'Queens' in real life. Thus, the idea of Shahoshi Rani (Brave Queen) was born,' revealed Ram Cobain
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wabash Valley Athletic Association hosting fundraiser
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— The Wabash Valley Athletic Association (WVAA) is putting together an event called Play It Forward to support student athletes. The event will take place on March 1 at 6 p.m. at the Terre Haute Convention Center. The event hopes to raise funds to support youth sports groups, provide scholarships to families in need, and help provide equipment and resources to teams lacking them. The event will consist of a networking time with four competitive games in the ballroom, where those who attend can compete in friendly competition, while wearing your favorite team's jersey or colors. There will also be a sit-down dinner, a raffle, a live auction with items that focus on unique 'experiences, and an awards presentation. The event will cost $100 for a ticket and the proceeds will go to the WVAA. For more information, or to donate to one of the teams raising money or purchase a ticket, click this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
