comries sports equipment bank feature

Comrie’s Sports Equipment Bank launches in Calgary

Program will see new and gently-used equipment provided to kids who need it at no cost

Chris Jurewicz
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September 9, 2014
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The program has been a hit in Edmonton and, starting this August, Calgary is now home to a sports equipment bank that will help thousands of youngsters play hockey in southern Alberta.

Comrie’s Sports Equipment Bank will help address a major hurdle that keeps many kids out of sports – the cost of equipment. The program, which has been months in the making and has involved a number of stakeholders, will provide head-to-toe hockey equipment for young players who qualify.

The model is based on a successful program in Edmonton called Sport Central, which has been operating for more than 20 years and assisted more than 8,600 children in 2013, with 60 per cent of those being hockey players.

“No kid should be denied the right to play due to financial limitations,” says Al Coates, who is chairman of the board of directors for Comrie’s Sports Equipment Bank. “As partners, we’re excited that we can play a role in diminishing the financial impact through our program.”

Comrie’s Sports Equipment Bank is the result of the support of Bill Comrie and his family, along with the work of partners KidSport Calgary, Hockey Calgary, the Hockey Canada Foundation, Sport Calgary, the Western Hockey League, Calgary Flames Foundation and Hockey Alberta Foundation.

KidSport Calgary will work with a number of charitable agencies to determine who qualifies for the program. Once their child or children qualify, parents will need to make an appointment with the equipment bank to size and outfit the young athletes.

Kevin Webster, executive director of KidSport Calgary, says the program’s success will also rely on many volunteers. For anyone looking to help more kids play hockey, now is the chance.

“We are currently looking for volunteers to help in the shop in servicing youth and their families as they come in for appointments,” says Webster. “We also need help getting donated equipment ready for distribution. Volunteers will be a big key to our success as we look to ramp up our operations leading into hockey season.”

To volunteer or donate new or gently-used equipment, please contact Russell Gillespie, general manager of Comrie’s Sports Equipment Bank, at (403) 569-1172.

One of the goals with Comrie’s Sports Equipment Bank will be to outfit kids for all types of sports. Right now, the focus will be on hockey but the program will move into other sports in the near future.

ABOUT

The Southern Alberta Sports Equipment Bank Society (www.comriessportsequipmentbank.org) is a not-for-profit organization that oversees Comrie’s Sports Equipment Bank. The SASEBS is made up of one staff person and a volunteer board of directors.

The Hockey Canada Foundation (www.hockeycanada.ca/foundation) provides a new source of secure, sustainable, long-term funding to support the future development and delivery of Hockey Canada programs, projects, and activities.

The foundation accepts donations for the purpose of establishing and growing a selection of endowment and general purpose Funds. Caring Canadians who want to give back to the game can now do so knowing their gift to the foundation will have an impact for generations to come. Working with the Hockey Canada team, the Hockey Canada Foundation puts gifts to work to help ensure Canada remains at the forefront in the development and promotion of amateur hockey.

For more information:

Esther Madziya
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 284-6484 

[email protected] 

Spencer Sharkey
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 777-4567

[email protected]

Jeremy Knight
Manager, Corporate Communications
Hockey Canada

(647) 251-9738

[email protected]

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