As a parent, what do you do when you see the value of putting your child in a sport, but squeezing the cost of registration out of your bank account just isnB次元官网网址檛 feasible?

Corine Tiller-Brens of Langford found herself in that boat five years ago, when she was trying to get her son, Hayden, involved in some kind of physical activity. Being on a disability pension, she had difficulty finding extra cash at the end of the month with which to put her son in sports.

Watching Hayden, now a strapping 12 year old, run around a football field today B次元官网网址� heB次元官网网址檚 a highly touted lineman with the Westshore Warriors junior bantam team B次元官网网址� she expressed gratefulness that she connected to Langford SportAssist back then.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 built a skill,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淔rom a kid that couldnB次元官网网址檛 run or jump, heB次元官网网址檚 now running around the field three or four times. HeB次元官网网址檚 come a long way.B次元官网网址�

Not only has he found a place where he belongs, Tiller-Brens said her son is doing better at school and has more confidence.

Theirs is the kind of story that Gerry St. Cyr loves to hear. As the man behind SportAssist in Langford, and the operator of City Centre Park, he often witnesses changing family dynamics.

B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e in a unique position in a sports facility, kids can be enrolled (in a sport) and then all of a sudden theyB次元官网网址檙e not. There can be so many different reasons,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he reason why I started this B次元官网网址� the single most important thing for a kid is getting out there and playing an active sport,B次元官网网址� he said.

A lifelong athlete himself who has experienced the benefits of team activities, St. Cyr said itB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渧ery importantB次元官网网址� to help children enjoy those opportunities. B次元官网网址淚 see thereB次元官网网址檚 a bigger demand today, thatB次元官网网址檚 probably the biggest thing.B次元官网网址�

The idea for SportAssist was spurred in 2008 when St. Cyr began seeing a hockey goalie aged about 13 lugging his gear down Langford Parkway. He asked around and found that the teen would take the bus out to Westhills Arena when he had enough money to play drop-in hockey.

Affected by the scenario, St. Cyr thought it would be great to be able to assist families in financial need with putting their children into sport. With $2,500 in seed money arranged by Mayor Stew Young, SportAssist was born.

These days, the organization works with many Langford families, helping either top up the cost of registration or in some cases, covering the whole amount, based on what the family can afford.

Danielle DriverB次元官网网址檚 family expenses have been high over the years, as their eight children, aged eight to 25, have long been involved in team sports, dance and other activities.

B次元官网网址淥rganized sports have become more important,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hese kids need that physical outlet; itB次元官网网址檚 healthy for their body and their mind. But it becomes kind of expensive.B次元官网网址�

She applied to SportAssist a number of years back to get younger children Isaiah and Faith signed up for Juan de Fuca youth soccer. While she admits the sport is reasonably priced compared to some others, their family still had a tough time coming up with the cash with so many other expenses ongoing. Today Isaiah plays in the under-12 silver level B次元官网网址� he hopes to play gold next season B次元官网网址� while Faith played U-15 silver girls this past season.

B次元官网网址淪portAssist is great, I apply and I tell them what I can pay,B次元官网网址� Driver said. B次元官网网址淭hey probably wouldnB次元官网网址檛 play if it wasnB次元官网网址檛 for (the subsidy).B次元官网网址�

Being a part of a group effort has had many positive effects on Isaiah and Faith, she said. B次元官网网址淚saiah was a high energy kid, but now heB次元官网网址檚 super mellow B次元官网网址� This sets a pattern for a healthy lifestyle that we all need, but itB次元官网网址檚 healthy for their minds, too.B次元官网网址�

Driver was quick to note that if her two kids were already in another sport, the family likely wouldnB次元官网网址檛 apply for funding. Finding that one activity they enjoy, she said, has B次元官网网址渂een a blessing for them. ItB次元官网网址檚 affected who they are.B次元官网网址�

St. Cyr echoed that sentiment.

B次元官网网址淲hether itB次元官网网址檚 swimming, golf, hockey, whatever it is, getting them engaged and involved is really important,B次元官网网址� he said.

Oh, and the young hockey goalie? SportAssist supported him and his family for three years so he could get into minor hockey. He went on to get a job in Langford and regularly plays in an adult league at Westhills Arena.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com