Kids on the Pitch
Kids on the Pitch
After-school Educational Soccer Program (Boys & Girls)
At Zero cost to the Players & Parents!
The Toronto Blizzard – Blizzard Development Academy (BDA) “KIDS ON THE PITCH” Program was created to promote a social model that supports the achievement of social, cultural, and educational programs for underprivileged youth through our Soccer Academy “ KIDS ON THE PITCH”. These programs, on their own or as part of collaborations, allow us to fulfill our social commitment not only in Ontario, or Canada Nationally or in the USA but Internationally as well. In that spirit, the message must be clear, education is the gateway to their future. In the GTA today, more than 25% of school-aged children are living below the poverty line. Creating opportunities for these children to rise above the cycle of poverty and achieve success in life represents a crucial need.
The primary goal of the program is growth. Our experience thus far has shown the strong benefits of our unique program and the impact it has had for the youth we have served. Our vision is to continue to expand our programs, enabling our ability to reach more children across the community.
Don’t just watch…..make an Impact to a child’s future
Supporting the Future Generation of The BDA children and Future decision Makers in our Society
The BDA “Kids on the Pitch” was created to promote a social model that supports the achievement of social, cultural, and educational programs for underprivileged youth through our Soccer Academy “KIDS ON THE PITCH”. These programs, on their own or as part of collaborations, allow us to fulfill our social commitment not only nationally but internationally as well. In that spirit, the message must be clear, education is the gateway to their future.
Participation in youth sports improves academic performance, increases self confidence, and promotes health and well being. Children who take part in team sports are more likely to finish high school and attend college while simultaneously far less likely to suffer from childhood obesity and related diseases.
In the GTA today, however, more than 25% of school-aged children are living below the poverty line. Creating opportunities for these children to rise above the cycle of poverty and achieve success in life represents a crucial need.
“Kids On The Pitch” was formed to ensure the many benefits of team sports are provided to the children who need them most. Through the program, children participate in soccer coached by skilled and caring professionals, in a structured format and setting, all completely free of charge. Today, most team sports for school-aged children require costly fees to participate; “Kids On The Pitch” covers all costs, including equipment, professional coaches, and state-of-the-art facilities. Removing the economic barrier, “Kids On The Pitch” ensures that no child is denied the opportunity to play team sports because they cannot afford the expense.
OBJECTIVES:
- Support children who are at risk of being left behind
- Encourage healthy lifestyles and academic achievement
- Promote teamwork that fosters the values of sportsmanship
- Ensure a safe harbor for youth, providing a secure and nurturing environment through high-quality athletic facilities and caring supervision
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Over 1000 children in the GTA have participated and benefited from the program.
- Many players have matriculated to the college level.
- Highly respected soccer clubs around the world have awarded training opportunities to our youth.
GOALS:
- The primary goal of the program is growth. Our experience thus far has shown the strong benefits of our unique program and the impact it has had for the youth we have served.
- Our vision is to continue to expand our programs, enabling our ability to reach more children across the community.
The Program
To provide support and assistance to children who do not have the economic where with all to take part in after-school sports activities through our Youth Soccer Program, Blizzard development Academy (BDA). With our support, they now have access to our soccer teams, summer camps, clinics, mentoring, parent seminars, trips and educational counseling.
Accessing Programs and events is a struggle for Families where travel is a barrier. We want to make travel more accessible to every one. Basic Travel “should not be” a chore or the reason why youth can’t get involved !!
Congestion affects travel time more on non-highways (where it increases travel time by 35%) than on highways.
Variety of barriers : fiscal, cultural, single family parents, travel food access, etc. are limiting the youth’s involvement in organized sports.
HOW CAN YOU HELP THE YOUTH
We want to use soccer as a tool to help.
With mentorship, financial support and access to transportation, we can “jumpstart” the imaginations of youth ad organizers alike to think big and outside the their area. Help our future decision makers.
We want the ability to help support participants with travel to ensure programs are well attended while easing the pressure of time and money for many of our Families, and many more that cannot participate because of time and money.
SPORTSMANSHIP
The Sportsmanship Programs of our Foundation are designed to encourage sports activities that are more demanding in terms of moral education and self discipline among youths, therefore increasing positive social aspects more efficiently.
CULTURAL EDUCATION THROUGH TRAVEL
Our Foundation provides a Sports Program that encourages social and cultural experiences through travel abroad. These experiences are an integral aspect in helping to shape quality of life as well as social cohesion for all our youths.
SPORTS AND THE TEAM COMPONENT
Sports teaches our youth that in order to succeed, they need to be unified and work as a team. This concept applies to all aspects of society. The aspects of respect, fellowship, fair play, and justice that our youths learn through sports activities encourage social cohesion and are in direct contrast with the discrimination of minorities.
