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Why We're Here – 12 Years & Counting! Already 2 months into a busy 2026 and motivated with a phenomenal year ahead for sport in Ottawa. Sport is special, it has this ability to weave into our neighbourhoods, parks, schools and centres. Sport is a benefit for so many - it builds, it champions, it connects and, above-all, it’s joy. At the Ottawa Sport Council, we believe that there should only be positive experiences in sport, and work towards that every day. Grant Opportunities and Strong Grants WebinarGrants and funding are always part of the conversation when we speak about community sports. Building new programs where sport belongs to everyone takes collaboration, ideas and a vision, and grants and new funding can turn these ideas into reality. OSC updates our Funding and Grants Resources Page with current funding opportunities throughout the year that align with the community sport sector. Newly added is the Preparing Strong Grants for Community Sport Presentation and Webinar with Tais McNeill from Ottawa Community Foundation. A few key deadlines fast approaching: Ottawa Basketball Sport Hosting Improvement Business Case - Final Report & Town Hall Webinar Now AvailableThe Ottawa Basketball Sport Hosting Improvement Business Case has been developed to serve as a key resource that represents the needs of the basketball community in Ottawa and will help inform future planning for sport infrastructure and hosting opportunities. The overarching goal is to grow the game of basketball enhanced by hosting local, national and international sporting events. Through community collaboration, research and diving deep into the possibilities the final report is now available HERE. We want to thank all of those involved for over half of 2025 – OSC, Ottawa Tourism, Ottawa Basketball Network, The Greater and the Ottawa Basketball Community on supporting the development of the Ottawa Basketball Sport Hosting Improvement Business Case, merging community and hosting needs into a researched, visionary and valuable report. Be Part of the Action at Ottawa 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World ChampionshipsVolunteer and be part of something extraordinary. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, a supporter of inclusivity or simply looking to give back, your involvement will help make this world event a success. The 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships are looking for enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers to help bring the event to life, whether you can commit to a few hours or the entire event, you are welcome on board. Ottawa at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter GamesCongratulations to our local Olympians on a thrilling Games in Milano Cortina! Six medals are coming home for Ottawa athletes in curling, hockey and speed skating – thank you to all our Olympians for representing our city and our country so spectacularly. There will be eight more members of Team Canada from the Ottawa area competing in the Paralympic Winter Games from March 6-15 – we wish them all the best too! You can look back on all the great moments from the Olympics and follow along during the Paralympics with daily coverage from the Ottawa Sports Pages, including profiles, previews and recaps in their free newsletter. Congrats to the 2025 Ottawa Sports Awards winners! The Ottawa Sport Council loved celebrating with many wonderful athletes, coaches, volunteers and supporters at the 73rd annual Ottawa Sports Awards dinner earlier this month. We were thrilled to see our founding Executive Director Marci Morris receive the Mayor's Cup for Outstanding Contribution to Sport in Ottawa alongside fellow Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, the major award winners for athletes, coaches and teams of the year, plus the top athletes in 70 sports, local champion teams and special recognition honourees. You can watch the OSA's tribute video to Marci below. Community Sport Hero: Local Basketball Builder Andrew DiMillo The Ottawa Sport Council is pleased to introduce Andrew DiMillo as our latest Community Sport Hero! As Program Director/Founder of Ottawa Next Level-X and President/Founder of the National Capital Hoops Circuit, DiMillo has expanded and brought basketball opportunities to Ottawa while making high-level basketball more accessible. “The way that Andrew has not just progressed the level of basketball in our area, but what is being offered to the kids, and the support that’s available to the kids, it’s astronomical,” says nominator Jeff Wilson, a veteran local basketball volunteer himself. The OSC Community Sport Hero feature aims to highlight the selfless contributions of dedicated staff, volunteers and sport organizations in Ottawa. Do you know someone dedicated to sport in Ottawa? Help us continue to tell the stories of community sport in Ottawa and nominate a person or organization doing great work in the sport community! Future of Sport in Canada Commission Update The Future of Sport in Canada Commission recently provided an update from Lise Maisonneuve on its Final Report, which is set to be released in late March. The Commission heard from thousands of individuals and groups from across the country, including athletes, parents, coaches, administrators, officials, academics, advocates, victims and survivors of maltreatment, and many others in the sport community. It hopes that the Final Report will serve as a meaningful and constructive foundation for change. Beryl Gaffney Park Cricket Pitch Project Engagement There has been a long-standing need to develop a full-size cricket pitch in Ottawa to meet the growing demands of the cricket sporting community. Beryl Gaffney Park has been identified as a prime site for this facility, as the park features an extensive open green space that can accommodate the required field dimensions and orientation of a full-size cricket pitch. City of Ottawa Skateboard Strategy “What We Learned” Report & More Sports Engagement Opportunities The City of Ottawa is updating its 2012 Interim Skateboard Strategy, and they are pleased to share the “What We Learned” report, which summarizes the feedback received through the survey and community engagements. The project team is developing a draft Skateboard and Roller Sports Strategy, which will be shared on Engage Ottawa later in 2026. At Engage.Ottawa.ca, you’ll find several more opportunities to provide your input into projects such as a Disc Golf Course at 1754 St. Joseph Blvd. and Roger Montpetit Park fitness equipment. The National Capital Commission is also asking for feedback on NCC Winter Activities in their survey. Be sure to follow the Ottawa Sport Council on social media for more details on this and lots more opportune items like those below! En français...Notre rôle durable : 12 ans et ça continue.
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