HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-07-112 - International Children's Games San Francisco 2008
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Community Services
Report To:
Date of Meeting:
Community Services Committee
December 3, 2007
Submitted By:
Prepared By:
Ward(s) Involved:
Denise Keelan, Interim Director of Aquatics and Athletics, 2706
John Cooper, Athletics Coordinator, 2688
All
Date of Report:
Report No.:
Subject:
November 26, 2007
CSD-07-112
INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S GAMES
SAN FRANCISCO 2008
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City of Kitchener, in cooperation with the KW Sports Council, register a team of u~
to 20 members (including athletes, coaches and officials) to participate in the 42 d
International Children's Games in San Francisco, USA in 2008; and further,
That the Community Services Department provide funding, in the amount of $1,200
supporting one staff to act as head of delegation responsible for our city team.
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.
There will be 1 ,500 children from 100 cities world-wide participating in basketball, golf, soccer,
swimming, track and field, table tennis, tennis and volleyball. All events and accommodation will be
held at the University of San Francisco and San Francisco State University. These Games are
sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee. In 2007 Kitchener participated in the Games in
Reykjavik, Iceland. The city paid for one staff to attend these games costing $2,000. All athletes and
coaches costs were covered by the participating sports organizations and parents.
REPORT:
City staff works year round with the KW Sports Council. This group has been affiliated with the City
of Kitchener for 7 years, and besides administering and sending teams to these international events,
they support and act as a resource for sports organizations in Kitchener and Waterloo, and co-
ordinates the KW Chapter of KidSport, providing financial assistance to athletes in need of funding
for their sport. This organization also organizes various training seminars for athletes, coaches and
pare nts.
The Community Services Department is committed to continuing to work with and support this
council to facilitate the important work they do. In 2008 it is the intention of the sports council to:
o Be prepared to send a team of up to 20 persons, which will include athletes (12 - 15
years), three coaches and 1 official representative to ~articipate in the International
Children's Games in San Francisco, USA, July 10th to 15 h, 2008.
Report No: CSD-07-112
2
Each delegation is limited to a minimum of seven (7) and a maximum of twenty (20)
participants, inclusive of athletes, coaches, head of delegation and city representative. A
delegation of seven (7) must include four (4) athletes.
o Pay the team entry fee and assist the families with fundraising.
The Sports Council has created a Trust with the purpose to raise funds to assist athletes with
costs for future participation in the Games. The City may have a representative on the Trust
committee.
o Organize a selection committee composed of volunteers from the Sports Council and
the participating sport clubs.
Each athlete must complete an application form, provide letters of reference, write a 250
word essay, achieve a standard of performance, and attend an interview.
o Continue raising funds that will diminish the outstanding amount from the 2005
games.
Last years ICG discussion included clarity surrounding the debt for the 2005 games in
Coventry England. Since that time the KW Sports Council has assisted in reducing the debt
to $8,087. The original deficit of $12,000 was mainly a result of an anticipated fundraising
shortage.
This is a commitment of the council through corporate sponsors and grant research.
The San Francisco Games Organizing Committee will confirm our invitation on December 12. The
San Francisco Games Committee will pay for the accommodation and meals for the City
representative, the Head of Delegation, the athletes, and the coaches. The team will pay for the
uniforms, travel, and additional food expenses.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The cost to send one city representative to these games would be a maximum of $1 ,200. The
Athletic budget would be able to cover the costs for a staff person to act on behalf of the department.
Due to the restriction of 20 persons for our city team, we are recommending only one city
representative to ensure the maximum numbers of athletes attend. All costs for athletes and
coaches will be covered by the individual sporting club. Participating sports organizations are affiliate
sports groups with the City of Kitchener. The City of Waterloo provides financial assistance to the
Waterloo athletes through their travel grant program.
The City of Kitchener continues to hold an amount outstanding of $8,087 which are costs related to a
fundraising shortage realized in 2005. The KW Sport Council continues to work at decreasing this
amount through sponsorships and grants.
CONCLUSION:
Support of this recommendation will allow athletes and coaches an opportunity to participate in an
international competition. In discussion with coaches that have participated in previous years the
overwhelming observation is that this experience creates a priceless life altering change in the
young athlete. The interactions and growth allows tremendous learning and leadership development.
The Athletic Division continues to work with the KW Sports Council to promote events such as this.
We are continuing to analyse and evaluate our cities capacity to potentially host these games in the
future. Our Departments Strategic Plan and the Sport Tourism Strategy will assist in determining the
potential for an event of this magnitude for our city. Considering the dollar investment is minimal the
resulting experience is entirely worthwhile.
Denise Keelan
Interim Director of Athletics and Aquatics