HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-11-124 - Affiliation of KW International Children's Games DREPORT T0: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: September 12, 2011
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and
Services ,ext. 2687
PREPARED BY: Bob Cheyne , Supervisor of Athletics, ext. 2689
Denise Keelan, Manager of Aquatics and Athletics, ext. 2706
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: September 6, 2011
REPORT NO.: CSD-11-124
SUBJECT: AFFILIATION OF K-W INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S
GAMES DELEGATION COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION:
That the K-W International Children's Games ICG) Delegation Committee be
approved as an affiliated minor sport group with the City of Kitchener, as per the
City's Minor Sport Affiliation policy; and,
That the K-W ICG Delegation Committee be added as an insured group to the City
of Kitchener's Minor Sports third party liability insurance program; and further,
That, in cooperation with the K-W ICG Delegation Committee, the City of
Kitchener registers annually to attend the games, subject to the approval of the
Deputy CAO of Community Services.
BACKGROUND:
The International Children's Games "promote peace and friendship through sports to the world's
youth". As the world's largest international, multi-sport youth games, the International Children's
Games have allowed 24,000 children throughout 60 countries to compete internationally,
experience new cultures and form lifelong friendships with fellow athletes. Participation in this
event allows KW athletes a tremendous opportunity to compete, learn and grow. The City of
Kitchener has sent delegations of youth, aged 12 to 15, to 8 International Children's games
since the year 2000.
The International Children's games invitation is a Mayor to Mayor request for participation. As
such, the City must be involved to accept the invitation to participate. In 2008, in report CSD-
08-074, staff was directed to formulate an ICG committee made up of staff and volunteers to
develop a structure and process to send delegations to these games each year. This
committee was struck, and since a majority of our affiliated minor sport groups are Regional or
are organizations that span both Kitchener and Waterloo, City of Waterloo staff was also invited
to the table to participate. In August 2011, the Kitchener-Waterloo ICG delegation committee
was successful in sending their first City of Kitchener delegation to Lanarkshire, Scotland. Once
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Staff Report
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affiliated, they will be recognized as the exclusive committee to work with the City of Kitchener,
City of Waterloo and the associated minor sport groups in sending participants to future games.
REPORT:
Minor sports groups wishing to affiliate with the City of Kitchener must be not-for-profit, must
operate under democratic principles, and not duplicated the services of an existing minor sports
group. The applying organization must display an interest and ability to meet all other aspects
of the City's affiliation policy within two years of affiliation. As an affiliated group, this ICG
delegation committee will be supported and work collaboratively with both Kitchener and
Waterloo.
The goals of the K-W ICG Delegation Committee are:
0 To develop a sustainable organizational structure that will manage all aspects of future
ICG participation. This will include processes to determine whether to attend each year
and complete delegation selection. This includes the decision to participate in a Winter
ICG should this event occur.
0 To establish effective governance and organizational policy and procedures, including
by-laws and processes on selection of future ICG committee members.
~ To work with the affiliated sport clubs in advance of each games and ensure fair
participation.
0 To work with city staff to determine if a City Representative will be part of the delegation,
based on approval through the Community Services Deputy CAO.
0 To develop a framework for participation that includes the potential representation a City
of Kitchener delegation and a City of Waterloo delegation.
This Committee is devoted, first and foremost, to ensuring that eligible sports and athletes have
the best opportunity to participate in the games, and is committed to maintaining a strong
working relationship with both municipalities in this regards. Although in the past there was
interest in possibly hosting the Games in Kitchener and/or Waterloo, this committee does not
see support for hosting the games as part of their mandate. Any future potential for Kitchener to
host the International Children's Games would be treated as other event bids are within the City,
considering the business case brought forward by staff, capacity of facilities as well as resource
needs and abilities. At present, it is recognized that there is neither capacity nor resources for
Kitchener and /or Waterloo to consider hosting a future International Children's Games.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The International Children's Games involvement aligns with two areas of our Strategic Plan.
• Leadership and Community Engagement -collaboration with local volunteers and sport
groups in the delivery of programming.
Quality of Life -investing in the health and vitality of our youth and encouragement of life
long participation in sport.
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Staff Report
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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Funding to support the costs associated with sending a delegation to the International Children's
Games are largely the responsibility of the participating minor sport groups. Support of up to
$2,500 per year (budgeted) is provided to cover the expenses associated with sending a City of
Kitchener representative, with the delegation, to these games.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The experience from the athletes and delegation members who attend the International
Children's Games is life changing. The K-W ICG Delegation Committee is finalizing a
governance model that will ensure transparency and the development of fair processes in all
aspects of this program. This committee is dedicated to working with both cities to maximize the
number of athletes who can participate each year.
CKNOWLEDGED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Acting Deputy CAO, Community Services
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