Sport Central Association

The Sport Central Association is a Canadian nonprofit organization registered under the Business Number 136121878RR0001. Founded on December 6, 1991, it operates primarily in Alberta, focusing on providing sports equipment to children from families facing financial hardship.

Mission

The association's mission is to empower kids by providing access to sports equipment, thereby enhancing their opportunities for physical activity and development. They serve children aged 4 to 17 across a broad geographic area from Red Deer to the northern border of Alberta.

Activities

Sport Central Association collects gently used sports equipment, refurbishes it, and distributes it to those who might otherwise not have access. The organization supports over 20 different sports and recreational activities, including:

• Bicycles (pedal, run, & tricycles)
• Badminton
• Baseball
• Softball
• Basketball
• Cross-country skiing
• Figure skating
• Football
• Golf
• Hockey (ice, ball, inline)
• Lacrosse
• Leisure sports (skateboards, scooters, & sleds)
• Ringette
• Roller skates
• Rollerblades
• Rugby
• Snowboarding
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Volleyball

They have an extensive network of equipment donation locations, which facilitates easy access for donors across the Greater Edmonton Area.

Community Outreach and Recycling

In addition to direct distribution, Sport Central Association implements a community outreach program that sends bulk shipments of equipment to communities, community leagues, and schools. This effort helps build sports-related programming at a local and regional level.

The organization also promotes environmental sustainability by recycling materials that cannot be reused, such as rubber bike tires and metal. They recycle over 20 tonnes of metal annually.

Equipment Exchange Program

Sport Central offers an equipment exchange program, allowing children to bring back outgrown equipment and exchange it for a larger size. This approach ensures continued support for the children as they grow.

Impact

Recent data highlights the significant impact of Sport Central Association's work:

• Over 10,534 children were outfitted with sports equipment in a recent year.
• The organization repaired 2,142 pieces of equipment, 1,956 helmets, and sharpened 2,293 pairs of skates.
• Additionally, they repaired 2,241 bicycles.

Their services have seen a substantial increase, reflecting a 48% rise in activity compared to the previous year.

Registration and Purpose

Sport Central Association is recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency as a registered charity, operating to relieve poverty by enhancing access to sports for economically disadvantaged children.