Meet Team KidSport P.E.I.

Seven Island athletes have stepped up to the plate for the first-ever KidSport P.E.I. Ambassador Team. KidSport provides financial support to children who would not otherwise be able to participate in sport.

'We're so thrilled with who put their hand up and said yes'

Nancy Russell CBC News Posted: Jun 30, 2016 5:00 PM EDT | Last Updated: June 30, 2016

Rower Emily Cameron (left), Mark Arendz (middle) and Kameron Kielly are three new members of the KidSport Ambassador Team. (Nancy Russell/CBC)

Seven Island athletes have stepped up to the plate for the first-ever KidSport P.E.I. Ambassador Team.

KidSport provides financial support to children who would not otherwise be able to participate in sport.

'I believe in the power of sportwhole-heartedlyand so doesKidSport'Mark Arendz, Paralympian

"What we hope is that these ambassadors will bring to the forefront the need to raise those dollars and get those kids involved," said Sport P.E.I. executive director Gemma Koughan.

Golfer Lorie Kane has been involved with the Island chapter of the charity for years. She is now joined by Olympic sprinter Jared Connaughton, Paralympian Mark Arendz, curler Brett Gallant, world silver medal rower Emily Cameron, Mozzi Gyorio of the Ottawa Fury soccer team and Kameron Kielly, who plays for the Charlottetown Islanders in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

"We're so thrilled with who put their hand up and said yes," said Koughan.

Paralympian Mark Arendz is on P.E.I. for a short visit before resuming training in Canmore, Alberta for the upcoming World Cup season. (Nancy Russell/CBC)

'A natural fit'

"Having our great Island athletes that have done so well representing our province and having them represent what we hope everyone can enjoy from sport," continued Koughan. "Not all kids have that experience because of financial issues."

"I believe in the power of sport whole-heartedly and so does KidSport so I think it was a very natural fit to become an ambassador," said Mark Arendz, who is on P.E.I. for a short break before heading to the biathlon training facility in Canmore Alberta to start training for the upcoming World Cup season.

Three of the new KidSport ambassadors pose today at a cheque presentation at Dalvay by the Sea. (Nancy Russell/CBC)

"The skills and the confidence that kids gain from organized sports as they grow up, it can't be replaced," added Arendz.

More than 7 thousand Island kids

In 2015, KidSport PEI gave out over $150,000 in grants to 640 youth. The grants cover both the purchase of sporting equipment and registration fees. Since 1997, the organization has distributed more than $1.3 million to 7,100 Island kids.

The grants are available to a maxiumum of $300, which can be used for any of the 40 provincial sport organizations that belong to Sport P.E.I.

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KidSport P.E.I.