KidsPlay Foundation runs free sports programs for youth.
Participating in athletics has been known to improve the cognitive and memory functions of the brain, helping kids perform better in tests and academics. Further, traits such as discipline and perseverance also play an important part in better academic performance.
Sport is an important enabler of sustainable development. We recognize the growing contribution of sport to the realization of development and peace in its promotion of tolerance and respect and the contributions it makes to the empowerment of women and of young people, individuals and communities as well as to health, education and social inclusion objectives.
Regular participation in sport and physical activities provides various social and health benefits. Not only does it have a direct impact on physical fitness, but it also instils healthy lifestyle choices among children and young people, helping them remain active and combat non-communicable diseases. A number of studies conducted by the World Health Organization have also highlighted that physical exercise can stimulate positive mental health and cognitive development. Exercise has been linked to improvements in self-esteem and self-confidence, as well as positive effects for people struggling with depression and anxiety.
“Female participation in sport also challenges stereotypes and social roles commonly associated with women. Sport can help women and girls demonstrate their talents and achievements to society by emphasizing their skills and abilities. This, in turn, improves self-esteem and self-confidence in women participants. Sport also offers opportunities for social interaction and friendship, which can raise awareness of gender roles among male counterparts and convey social and psychological benefits to both individuals and groups.”
Sport contributes to well-being regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. It is enjoyed by all, and its reach is unrivalled. The KidsPlay Foundation established free events and programs to promote physical and mental well being of our youth. Such initiatives raise awareness about the plight of young citizens, immigrants, refugees and all others and are fully in harmony with the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations., particularly with regard to health.
KidsPlay meets all 15 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.
All streams are intertwined – at a sports program you will find key mentors from our mentorship program, counseling support from our mental health department, environment team ensuring youth learn about environment engagement opportunities, educational content on drug and gang prevention efforts, and community patrollers from the KidsPlay Community Patrol program.
Flagship Programs
First Ever U21 YOUTH WORLD CUP OF KABADDI
Early 2017, Kids Play foundation initiated the first Kids Play Kabaddi portfolio with the goal of bringing back the heritage sport of the Punjabi culture. Kabaddi allows youth to utilize their energy in a positive manner with the benefit of cost-efficient participation. KidsPlay has sponsored youth from Toronto to participate in the World Cups held in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Sports improve physical and psychological health and wellbeing which fits well with the objectives of KidsPlay. Sense of belonging and a connection with one’s heritage plays a key role in the success of an individual, which is the premise behind introducing our Kabaddi portfolio. Keeping that in mind, Kids Play is providing young boys and girls a chance to reconnect with their identity through the sport of Kabaddi.
BC Place Soccer Tournament with Vancouver Whitecaps FC
A strong percentage of youth participating in the BC Place program come from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Although not always the case, this type of marginalization results in greater susceptibility to criminal activity.
Sports has always been the universal language which bonds and has the power to break down barriers. The success of this program is premised on this principle. This principle galvanizes entire communities to resolve their differences, develop rapport, and build bridges of communication. To effectively achieve this goal, we require “buy-in” from key stakeholders in the community. The program is designed to develop a strong connection with youth at any early age, so that a sense of community, safety and integrity become well entrenched values.
Basketball Tournaments and Camps
Ambassador – Satnam Singh in Netflix Documentary “One in a Billion”
Satnam Singh, former NBA player, puts on a basketball camps for hundreds of youth to give them an experience they will cherish forever.
We run tournaments and camps in multiple cities giving young kids an opportunity to learn the sport and engage in a positive environment. Our basketball portfolio is a popular one and we are expanding it with each coming year.
