funding opportunities
internal Funding Opportunities
Gymnastics BC has a number of funding opportunities accessible to current members. Available internal funding opportunities are highlighted and detailed below.
Gymnastics BC Scholarships
Gymnastics BC scholarships are designed to assist our current members in their pursuit of post-secondary education. These Gymnastics BC Scholarships honour young British Columbia students who have:
- Shown outstanding leadership traits and skills in gymnastics and within their community.
- Demonstrated a personal contribution to gymnastics, their community, school and club.
- Demonstrated participation and achievements in gymnastics and other activities.
- Attained high scholastic achievements
Scholarships are presented during the Gymnastics BC awards ceremony each year.
2021 scholarships
Application deadline: June 30, 2021
If you have applied for a scholarship, you will receive a letter in the mail in August regarding the status of your application.
Scholarship awards will be distributed in the Fall.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for a Gymnastics BC scholarship, applicants must:
- Have been registered with Gymnastics BC as of June 30 of the current year.
- Have been registered with Gymnastics BC for no less than five (5) years (does not need to be consecutive).
- Have graduated or be graduating from a recognized B.C. secondary school program.
- Have been accepted to attend or already attending a recognized Canadian post-secondary education institution.
- Academic standings will be considered as part of the overall decision.
Applying for a scholarship
A completed application consists of the following elements:
- The Gymnastics BC scholarship application form, fully completed and signed by the applicant.
- Proof of acceptance or attendance at a recognized Canadian post-secondary education institution.
- A transcript of the applicant’s academic record (Secondary School and University/College, if applicable).
- An essay written by the applicant, up to 500 words in length, on one of the two topics listed below:
- Describe the impact that gymnastics has had on your life.
- Describe how you have contributed to gymnastics, your club and/or Gymnastics BC.
- A letter of support from the applicant’s current Gymnastics BC club (coach, administrator, etc). Letters from past coaches/supervisors may also be submitted.
- Any additional information which supports the application.
Materials submitted will not be returned to the applicant and remain the property of Gymnastics BC.
Resources and forms
BC Athlete Assistance Program
The BC Athlete Assistance Program (BC AAP) is a program funded by the BC Government which provides grants to provincial sport organizations and post-secondary institutions to help athletes train and compete.
By recognizing high performance athletes (selected by provincial sport organizations and post-secondary institutions) who compete in recognized national or international competitions, the BC AAP relieves some of the financial pressures associated with training and competition needs.
Gymnastics BC focuses on supporting athletes who are in the position to compete for Team BC at the Canada Games and who are ranked just below athletes receiving Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program funding (S1/S2 carding levels).
Program Objectives
- To focus support to athletes in the “training to compete” and “training to win” stages of Canadian Sport for Life – Long Term Athlete Development Model;
- To contribute to improved performances of Team BC athletes at the Canada Games;
- To increase the number of BC athletes reaching federal carding status thus expanding BC representation on national teams and at eligible major international multi-sport Games; and
- To assist B.C. athletes reach their athletic potential.
Guidelines, Policies and Procedures
GBC has developed sport specific selection criteria based on the criteria outlined in the BC Athlete Assistance Program guidelines, policies and procedures document. Athletes must meet a minimum performance standard to be eligible.
Available funding
The B.C. government determines the amount each organization receives on a yearly basis. The Gymnastics BC grant is received annually and is distributed within the fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
Athlete eligibility
Athletes must meet sport-specific selection criteria outlined in the discipline specific GBC policies and procedures manuals available online.
Requirements
In order to qualify for AAP funding the athlete must:
- be in good standing with GBC
- be registered to compete in the current competitive year
- submit the completed AAP application form. Incomplete applications will be returned to the athlete. Applications not received by GBC by the stated deadline are not considered
- attend the GBC Championships in one of the following ways:
- compete
- judge, coach or
- take part in a demonstration with full or partial routines
- wear the Team BC or National Team uniform and tracksuit at inter-provincial competitions
- regardless of a valid injury petition at the time of the GBC Championships still participate in some capacity
- have competed and ranked at the preceding Canadian Championships, Elite Canada or Canada Games or represented Canada internationally as selected by the national team program.
Athletes accepting AAP funding agree to support and participate in all initiatives of GBC Programming. (I.E.: attend Technical Committee designated camps, attempt to qualify for appropriate Team BC events, etc.)
Athletes accepting AAP funding agree to abide by the Team BC Code of Conduct or otherwise be subject to funding repercussions.
Note: Athletes who meet the eligibility criteria are not guaranteed BC AAP funding.
Athlete Appeal Procedure
Any athlete wishing to dispute the AAP selection process may ask, in writing, that the applicable technical committee review their decision. If technical committee’s final decision does not solve the dispute, an appeal using the Gymnastics BC appeal procedure as found in the Governance Section of the Policy and Procedure Manual may be used.
Use of Funds
Athletes receiving funding through BC AAP can spend the funding obtained for the following purposes:
- Normal living costs
- Costs directly associated with training (e.g. coaching, facility fees, other athlete services)
- Costs associated with attending training camps and competitions (e.g. entry fees, travel costs)
- Sport specific equipment (bodysuits, singlets, longs, gym shoes, grips, etc.)
BC Athlete Assistance Program
The BC Athlete Assistance Program (BC AAP) is a program funded by the BC Government which provides grants to provincial sport organizations and post-secondary institutions to help athletes train and compete.
By recognizing high performance athletes (selected by provincial sport organizations and post-secondary institutions) who compete in recognized national or international competitions, the BC AAP relieves some of the financial pressures associated with training and competition needs.
Gymnastics BC focuses on supporting athletes who are in the position to compete for Team BC at the Canada Games and who are ranked just below athletes receiving Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program funding (S1/S2 carding levels).
Program Objectives
- To focus support to athletes in the “training to compete” and “training to win” stages of Canadian Sport for Life – Long Term Athlete Development Model;
- To contribute to improved performances of Team BC athletes at the Canada Games;
- To increase the number of BC athletes reaching federal carding status thus expanding BC representation on national teams and at eligible major international multi-sport Games; and
- To assist B.C. athletes reach their athletic potential.
Guidelines, Policies and Procedures
GBC has developed sport specific selection criteria based on the criteria outlined in the BC Athlete Assistance Program guidelines, policies and procedures document. Athletes must meet a minimum performance standard to be eligible.
Available funding
The B.C. government determines the amount each organization receives on a yearly basis. The Gymnastics BC grant is received annually and is distributed within the fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
Athlete eligibility
Athletes must meet sport-specific selection criteria outlined in the discipline specific GBC policies and procedures manuals available online.
Requirements
In order to qualify for AAP funding the athlete must:
- be in good standing with GBC
- be registered to compete in the current competitive year
- submit the completed AAP application form. Incomplete applications will be returned to the athlete. Applications not received by GBC by the stated deadline are not considered
- attend the GBC Championships in one of the following ways:
- compete
- judge, coach or
- take part in a demonstration with full or partial routines
- wear the Team BC or National Team uniform and tracksuit at inter-provincial competitions
- regardless of a valid injury petition at the time of the GBC Championships still participate in some capacity
- have competed and ranked at the preceding Canadian Championships, Elite Canada or Canada Games or represented Canada internationally as selected by the national team program.
Athletes accepting AAP funding agree to support and participate in all initiatives of GBC Programming. (I.E.: attend Technical Committee designated camps, attempt to qualify for appropriate Team BC events, etc.)
Athletes accepting AAP funding agree to abide by the Team BC Code of Conduct or otherwise be subject to funding repercussions.
Note: Athletes who meet the eligibility criteria are not guaranteed BC AAP funding.
Athlete Appeal Procedure
Any athlete wishing to dispute the AAP selection process may ask, in writing, that the applicable technical committee review their decision. If technical committee’s final decision does not solve the dispute, an appeal using the Gymnastics BC appeal procedure as found in the Governance Section of the Policy and Procedure Manual may be used.
Use of Funds
Athletes receiving funding through BC AAP can spend the funding obtained for the following purposes:
- Normal living costs
- Costs directly associated with training (e.g. coaching, facility fees, other athlete services)
- Costs associated with attending training camps and competitions (e.g. entry fees, travel costs)
- Sport specific equipment (bodysuits, singlets, longs, gym shoes, grips, etc.)
WAG, MAG, & TG Funding
Gymnastics BC’s women’s artistic gymnastics program offers the following funding opportunities:
WAG High Performance Athlete Development Fund: for athletes and coaches who participate in Gymnastics Canada training camps, international competitions and Elite Canada.
Team BC Competition Fund: provides financial assistance to enable coaches and gymnasts to attend a team competition experience above and beyond Westerns and Canadians.
Excellence Funding: offers grants for WAG, MAG, and TG athletes and their personal coach(es) at the Canadian Championships in recognition of their excellence.
Athlete Assistance Program: offers funding for athletes who have competed and ranked at the preceding Canadian Championships or Canada Games.
Travel Subsidy - BC Championships
CANCELLED FOR 2020 – Many athletes that have participated in the WAG Artistic Optional, MAG, TG and Compulsory BC Championships are eligible for funding to offset expenses incurred while travelling to and from the events. For more information regarding who is eligible and the application process, please click the link below.
External Funding Opportunities
Aside from Gymnastics BC’s diverse internal funding opportunities, there are many external funding opportunities which can provide financial assistance to BC athletes. Some available external funding opportunities are detailed below.
CAN Fund
CAN Fund
CAN Fund is a financial assistance program available to active national team athletes training to represent Canada internationally. It provides direct funding to athletes creating the opportunity to focus on success instead of on unnecessary financial hurdles such as training, coaching, and nutrition fees. More information
Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund
Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund
AthletesCAN, in partnership with the Investors Group, award twenty Canadian amateur athletes with the Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund each year. The $5,000 bursary is available to senior national team athletes based on selection criteria including athletic achievement, financial need, and community involvement. More information
Rising Star Grant
Rising Star Grant
Canadian Sport Institute recognizes the need for financial aid to support the competitive needs of amateur athletes in British Columbia. The Rising Star Grant is made possible on the strength of an endowment fund created in the name of the 14,000 volunteers who helped stage the successful Commonwealth Games in 1994. More information
KidSport
KidSport
KidSport is a community-based sport-funding program that provides grants for children 18 and under to participate in a sport season of their choice. There are 40 community chapters in BC and over 175 chapters across Canada.
With the help from dedicated corporate partners, KidSport works to fulfill its mission of eliminating the financial barriers to sport participation, ‘So ALL Kids Can Play!’ More information
Jumpstart
Jumpstart
Jumpstart helps kids between the ages of 4 to 18 by assisting with the costs associated with registration, equipment and/or transportation for sports and physical activity programming.
Applications for assistance can typically be submitted from January 15 to November 1, (varies by chapter) with the goal to be equitably distributed over Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter activities. The funding is distributed with a focus on maximizing the cost and length of participation per activity per child.
Athletics for Kids (A4K)
Athletics for Kids (A4K)
A4K’s overarching goal is to be there to assist any B.C. child in their dream of playing amateur sports. In other words, we want all kids to have the opportunity to play.
The support of A4K is available province-wide for children ages 5 to 18 who are currently enrolled in school. Basic registration fees are paid for a multitude of approved sports, up to an annual maximum of $600 per child. More information
viaSport
viaSport
ViaSport administers sport-related grant programs funded by the government of BC that encourage sport participation and healthy living, develop high-performance athletes and improve delivery of sport and recreation programs to benefit all residents.
For general inquiries about any of the following grants, please email grantsviasport.ca.
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