KIDSPORT
The Stampeders and KidSport partner on several initiatives throughout the season including the "First Downs for Kids" program and Stamps/KidSport Training Days.
The First Downs for Kids program is sponsored by Supreme Basics and features a $10 donation for every rushing yard compiled by Joffrey Reynolds in the season and $100 for every touchdown Reynolds scores. In 2009, that added up to $15,000 for KidSport.
Over the first third years of its existence, the program has raised $45,000 and has helped more than 100 kids play amateur football.
KidSport uses all funds raised to support children who require financial assistance to get involved in football and a variety of other sports in Calgary.
The second of two 2009 Stamps/KidSport Training Days was held at McMahon Stadium on Aug. 22 and approximately 100 youngsters were in attendance on a beautiful and sunny day. The kids went through a number of football drills including passing accuracy, field-goal kicking, pass-catching and agility.
The first Training Day was held on June 6 at McMahon and despite unseasonably cold weather conditions that forced organizers to call an audible and downscale the event, a grand time was had by all.
A cheque for $1,600 — the proceeds from Grey Cup photos taken at Stampeders Fanfest and the 4th Street Lilac Festival — was presented to KidSport.
The Stamps/KidSport Training Day was introduced on May 31, 2008 and provided KidSport children and families with a unique football experience at no cost. This year's event featured Stamps rookie players and a boisterous group of youngsters from KidSport. The youth participated in several football-related drills, were given a locker-room tour, collected autographs and were then provided with a pair of tickets to a Stamps home game.
>> Photo gallery of the June 6 Stamps/KidSport Training Day
>> Visit the KidSport website for more information about the organization
