The Calgary Flames Foundation, Bill Comrie and KidSport Society of Calgary and Area (KidSport Calgary) are proud to announce a renewed partnership resulting in the renaming of the Comrie’s Sports Bank to the Calgary Flames Sports Bank. The Calgary Flames Foundation has supported the Sports Bank since it’s opening in Calgary in 2014. This extension is in place to increase the level of support for the Sports Bank, building on the great work the organization has done to date in helping more kids in southern Alberta gain access to sport by providing equipment to underprivileged youth and families.
Comrie’s Sports Bank was created in 2014 through the generous contributions of Bill Comrie and the Comrie Family. Bill Comrie is the founder and original title partner of the Sports Bank in Calgary. The organization was formed through a partnership of individuals representing key community groups – the Hockey Canada Foundation, Hockey Alberta Foundation, Hockey Calgary, Sport Calgary, Calgary Flames Foundation, Western Hockey League, Calgary Hitmen and KidSport Calgary. Moving into the fall of 2020, Bill Comrie will pass this torch to the Calgary Flames Foundation as they will now be the lead partner in supporting the Calgary Flames Sports Bank team and continuing this vision. The NHL and Calgary Flames Foundation are also donating 13 skids of hockey equipment to the Sports Bank to start off the hockey season.
“It has always been a dream of mine to help kids who are unable to afford sports equipment, receive what they need to play a sport they love. I was one of those kids that received hockey equipment from a lost and found at an outdoor rink shack many years ago,” says Bill Comrie. “It is so exciting to partner with the Calgary Flames and KidSport. Together, the kids will be the beneficiaries and that will be our golden rule. I cannot end my comments without thanking Al Coates (board member and original chair), who was all in from the start. Without him this program would not have succeeded.”
The Calgary Flames Sports Bank will continue to be a KidSport Calgary program with the goal to gather, recycle and redistribute used sports equipment at no cost to youth who would otherwise be denied the opportunity to participate. The Calgary Flames Sports Bank provides opportunities to youth to pursue their dreams in sport, as well as developing healthy and active lifestyles.
“We were involved in bringing the Sports Bank to Calgary when it opened in 2014 and since then, have watched the impact and support it has provided to families in our community, as well as the growth and achievements of this organization. The impact of the Sports Bank is significant and far reaching. We could not be more thrilled to move forward with KidSport Calgary with the increase and extension of this commitment to the Calgary Flames Sports Bank,” said Candice Goudie, Executive Director of the Calgary Flames Foundation. “The Flames Sports Bank will continue to compliment the Flames EvenStrength Program, HEROS, Super HEROS, Flames Community House League, Flames YMCA Grade 6 Program and support of the Hockey Alberta Foundation’s Every Kid Every Community program; programs helping remove barriers to participation in hockey and sport.”
“Having recently welcomed the Sports Bank to the KidSport Calgary family, we are thrilled to work alongside the Calgary Flames and the Calgary Flames Foundation to continue to support children in our community gain access to sport.” said Wilson Acton, Board Chair, KidSport Calgary. “We are proud to have seen such success with the Sports Bank during its first six years of operation through the generous contributions of Bill Comrie and the Comrie Family and look forward to continuing this momentum as the Calgary Flames Sports Bank.”
Equipment for more than 20 sports is available through the Flames Sports Bank. Since opening its doors in 2014 the Sports Bank has assisted 16,791 kids through the provision over 65,000 pieces of no cost equipment. The Calgary Flames Sports Bank is a community funded charity built to support qualified (low income) kids across Southern Alberta.
For more information visit www.flamessportsbank.ca.