By Naza Yammine

Thumbnail Photo by Alora Griffiths on Unsplash

For amateur athletes, the path to becoming a professional can be pretty daunting, as there is so much to take into consideration. Not only is there the pressure of performing, the fierce competition, and potential injuries, but an additional financial struggle with a lack of proper compensation further impacts their quality of life. An article by CBC sport mentioned a report by the federal government specifying how Canadian amateur athletes earn almost $10,000 less than what they need to train, compete, and even live. Seeing as though the province of Nova Scotia estimates that around 150,000 Nova Scotians are currently members of an organized sports team, this issue hits close to home. These issues prevent talented athletes from furthering their careers and discovering their potential.

If you are an up-and-coming athlete in the Nova Scotia area and feel these struggles relate to your situation, you may have the chance to receive funding and support in general. Sport Nova Scotia is a nonprofit, non-federated organization with the goal of supporting athletes in their development, health, and financial situation. Operating under various programs, such as Support4Sport , Sport Fund, Cleves Athlete of the Month and many more, there are plenty of opportunities to benefit from! These programs are not limited to athletes, but include coaches as well. There are plenty of certifications, mentoring programs, and funding options to further their careers and hence, benefit the athletes they train. An example is the Support4Sport Individual Coach Initiative, a funding program available for coaches for certification or training initiatives.

To begin the process of finding the proper assistance for you, your team or even your coach, it would be ideal to check your eligibility by finding out whether your sport is a member of the Provincial Sport Organization (PSO). From there, check what opportunities you would be eligible for. Currently, applications are open for the Support4Sport Athlete Assistance, which offers direct assistance to high-performing athletes, with funding varying based on how many athletes qualify each year. Keep in mind that the application must be endorsed by the PSO and must be submitted before the 15th of each month. Considering the process of finding the right funding program may be overwhelming and confusing, Sport Nova Scotia offers consultations for PSOs regarding the different programs that may be beneficial. Assistance is provided through each step to support athletes through their professional careers.

It is safe to say that, at times, the sports world can lack inclusivity, accessibility, and representation, both for the disabled community and people of colour. Therefore, the struggles faced by these athletes place an even more significant barrier for members of minority groups. As clearly set out by their strategic plan, Sport Nova Scotia values inclusion and accessibility for Nova Scotians of all races, genders, and backgrounds. Specifically, they have made it a goal to increase programs for underrepresented groups in sports. The province seems appreciative of their ambition and initiative. On March 20th, 2021, premier Iain Rankin announced that Nova Scotia's Liberal government would be funding $5 million to promote inclusivity in sports across Nova Scotia. Specifically, $500,000 will be allocated for Sport Nova Scotia's Parasport program. This financing is of great significance since the cost of being an athlete is a major barrier to the disabled community's participation in sports. Paul Tingley, a five-time Paralympian in sailing and Sport Nova Scotia's coordinator of parasport, has seen these struggles firsthand and has praised this gesture from the government. Also, $500,000 will be funded towards new programs for women, Mi'kmaq and African American Nova Scotians interested in coaching, and those who coach athletes with disabilities. Mark Smith, the Director of Sport at Sport Nova Scotia, has been vocal about the struggles that people of colour face in the sports industry, as he mentioned to CBC:

"I am one of a few coaches of colour in this province who really has managed to excel — in spite of a system, not because of a system." Smith encourages and mentors Black and Indigenous people to help them reach their full potential. This funding will enable him to continue fostering these athletes to pursue their ambition.

In becoming a professional athlete, hard work and dedication are necessary; however, this may not always be enough as there is additional pressure due to costs, need for support, and discrimination against minorities in the industry. Through its existing programs and recent $5 million in funding towards diversity programs, Sport Nova Scotia is promoting equity in sports, encouraging all Nova Scotians to keep being active and pursue their dreams. If you're an athlete looking for any type of support, it is never too late to get involved in this nonprofit organization!

Promoting Athleticism with Sport Nova Scotia

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