Minor sports play a huge role in the lives of many children in communities the world over. It is a place to play a sport you love, meet friends, and, most importantly, have fun.
    However, for some families, signing their children up for a minor sport is just not financially possible.
    That’s where the Kidsport program comes in. Kidsport raises and donates money so that kids, regardless of finances, can participate in a minor sport.
    “We put out roughly $8,000 to between 60 and 80 kids each year. Last year in Alberta, there was $1.3 million handed out to over 6,000 kids,” said Dave Watson, chair of the Drumheller Kidsport program. “It helps a lot of families.”
    In Drumheller, Kidsport gives roughly $300 per child per year to area families. The amount can be used to sign up kids for minor sports.
    However, the program does consider activities that aren’t necessarily minor sports. In the past Kidsport has helped out with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and sending kids to Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, swimming lessons, dance class, and a couple hockey and basketball camps.
    “It’s not a huge amount of money for each family, but we help a lot of families,” said Watson. “It’s based on a family’s income. We try to get the money to those who need it most.”
    In the near future, Watson hopes Kidsport can also help give kids in need access to the town’s cutting edge fitness and recreation facility.
    “We are looking into how we can be associated and work with the Badlands Community Facility. It’s in the works this fall,” said Watson.
    Kidsport is in need of board members to help out with the worthy cause.
    Anyone interested in the program, joining the board, or donating, but who can’t attend the expo, can contact Watson at 403-820-4100.
    “As long as we get kids out and get them physical, we’ve hit our goal,” said Watson.

The Drumheller Kidsport program hopes to partner with the Badlands Community Facility so that all children can enjoy what the new fitness facility has to offer. Kidsport is continuing its efforts to help children and families afford participating in minor sports. Last year the program handed out roughly $8,000 to families in the area, with roughly $300 to each.

    The Senior Titans are looking strong out of the gate, coming home from a victory in their season opener last Friday night.
    The Titans travelled to Lacombe to start the season on August 31, and came home with a 30-22 victory.
    While there were some small procedural issues, Coach Ken Fournier was impressed with the team on the field taking on a team playing two tiers higher than the Titans.
    “All the coach’s were pretty surprised at how well we did,” said coach Fournier. “We did really well. Defensively we had some rookies step right up, and the veterans played well.”
    The offense was strong as well. The Titans’ backs were able to run for 500 yards. Spencer Fournier is back and rookie Josh Weetweringen rushed for 100 yards alone. Fournier said the Titans also had a strong passing game.
    “We moved the ball effectively with running and passing,” said Fournier. “Steven Robertson (quarterback) is doing great and our tight ends are catching a lot of balls.” 
    He is happy with the performances.
    “It was great to come out and execute like that. Our passing was working, we made some adjustments, and our running was working. Defensively we stalled their offense quite a bit,” said Fournier.
    The first set of seasonal ranking came out and the defending provincial champion Titans are ranked at the top of the Tier 4 rankings. This comes with a target on their back.
    “Everybody in the league is preparing… and doing what we have to do to take down the Drumheller offense,” said Fournier.
    The Titans are back on the field this Saturday in Olds. The Titans home opener is on September 15 versus Canmore.