The Wood Buffalo Sport Connection and the Grande Prairie Regional Sport Connection have announced a joint partnership to conduct an “extensive” survey on the costs associated with travelling for competitions outside Northern Alberta.
According to the GPRSC, the research aims to quantify the financial burden so many families in Northern Alberta face, with the ultimate goal of ensuring all athletes, regardless of their financial background and location on the map, have the same opportunities to participate in sports.
The survey will gather data on numerous expenses that are commonly associated with being an athlete in the north such as organizational costs like accommodations, gas, flights, and vehicle maintenance, along with family costs like registration fees, meals, and other expenses for families that support athletes competing outside their region.
Data collected during the survey will then be used to develop a strong advocacy case to address the challenges identified, and ultimately improve access to affordable and competitive sporting opportunities for athletes in Alberta’s north.
The survey is expected to be completed by March 31st. Sport Organizations can participate online here, while community members can complete their own version here.
