Canadian Tire Jumpstart & KidSport Ontario Programs

Socatots Burlington Hamilton has learned of two wonderful charitable programs for families in need of financial assistance towards sport and recreation activities.

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program

The Canadian Tire Jumpstart program focuses on helping individual children become involved in organized sports and recreational activities to help them develop a healthier lifestyle in their younger years.

Canadian Tire Jumpstart is a charitable program that helps children in financial need aged 4 to 18 participate in organized sport and recreation activities.

The Canadian Tire Jumpstart program works with community organizations to form local Chapters that identify and approve the children who receive support.

If you would like to apply for your child to receive support, Canadian Tire Jumpstart accepts applications from eligible families twice per year: 1) the last 2 weeks in January; and 2) the first 2 weeks in June.

The application process is handled through a central toll free call centre (1-877-616-6600). The family name, address and phone number and other relevant information pertaining to the recreational activity your child would like to participate in will be required and recorded at the time of your call. This information will be passed along to the local Canadian Tire Jumpstart Chapter for review.

To date, there are 299 Canadian Tire Jumpstart® chapters in communities across the country. Since its launch in February 2005, Canadian Tire Jumpstart® has helped give more than 216,498 children in financial need the chance to play.

KidSport Ontario Program

Giving ALL children the opportunity to play sport in Ontario

The KidSport™ Mission is simple, to help overcome the financial barriers that exist in families so that all children have the opportunity to participate in organized sport and experience the benefits of active living. This is accomplished by providing financial support for registration fees and/or equipment grants that go directly to families. It is through KidSport™ that children who are the least likely to have the opportunity to play now have hope.

KidSport considers social and economic barriers facing the child’s family when determining eligibility. The KidSport grant covers up to $250 per child, per calendar year, to go towards registration fees and personal sports equipment. The KidSport Ontario grant covers organized sports that are instructed by qualified coaches and that represent a sustainable sport experience. Children 18 years old and under qualify for KidSport funding.

KidSport will ask for documentation at the time of application, which includes: Organization/club/league registration form, quote from retailer if equipment is requested, income verification which includes: Notice of Assessment and 3 consecutive paystubs or EI / Ontario works documentation, and endorsement letter.

Applications must be submitted 45 days prior to activity start date. Funds for registration fees will be provided to the family but will be issued and made payable directly to the sport club or retailer in the case of equipment purchase.

For more information on the KidSport™grant application guidelines email adamv@kidsportcanada.ca or phone 416-426-7260.

Socatots progress in Burlington Hamilton

We launched the 1st Socatots franchise in Canada in September 2008 in Burlington, Ontario. Since our launch a year and a half ago we have seen our little Socatots make great progress. As our program is still relatively young in Canada we've not yet had a little one begin in Phase 1 and progress to Phase 3 and then onto Brazilian Soccer Schools - but we are eagerly awaiting this moment!

In our Burlington/Hamilton location, we have Socatots who began in Phase 1 as wobbly walkers who have now progressed onto Phase 2 (steady walkers to age 2.5 yrs) and they are showing real skills with handling the ball with both left and right foot and with developing balance and coordination.

Similarly our Socatots who began in Phase 2 and have recently graduated onto Phase 3 are able to pass and receive the ball various parts of the foot and are quick and agile in moving to the ball. They have also learned to take small touches and keep the ball close to their feet whilst dribbling.

Jace began attending our Socatots program in June 2009 beginning in Phase 2. Jace began his first Phase 3 class this week and his dad commented, "the program is great, we are going into Phase 3 of the program now, and not only has Jace developed soccer skills and techniques, he has developed and improved his motor skills as well. The equipment used is excellent for development, as Jace has fun with it while learning. Parent involvement is an excellent part of the program, we are there to motivate and help our son progress with the help and guidance of the very professional, knowledgeable and enthusiastic instructors - thank you Socatots!"

Adelaide (pictured above) began attending Phase 2 of our Socatots program at 15 months of age and her mom had the following to say about the benefits Adelaide has received, "Socatots has been a beneficial program for my daughter's development. Development Specialists recommended a variety of activities to support and encourage development. At 15 months my daughter began the Socatots program, not yet walking and speaking very little. Nearly a year later she walks, runs and jumps. She counts up to ten in English, up to seven in French and knows basic colours. I continue to enroll and particpate in the Socatots program for its various benefits in social, physical and cognitive development... and because she really enjoys it!."

In the next week or so we will see our first Socatots Phase 3 graduate move onto Brazilian Soccer Schools. William joined Socatots a few months prior to his 5th birthday as his parents felt it would help him with his balance, coordination and soccer skill development. William attended two 12 week Socatots modules and is now moving onto Brazilian Soccer Schools in the next week or so. We are eager to see William's progress. William's mom commented, "this is a very good program, my son made a lot of improvement technically that he would have not done with another method."

I recently helped coach some March Break camps for U14 players with our Brazilian Soccer Schools program and was amazed at how many players were not confident with using both left and right foot. The skills we are teaching our pre-school aged Socatots will really benefit them in years to come, I'm convinced of this.

Socatots is not only about developing confidence with the ball, the children who attend Socatots also develop social skills, self confidence, literacy, numeracy and color recognition.