GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES NEW POLICY
OWSA TO CONTINUE RECEIVING 
GOVERNMENT DOLLARS
By W. Rutherford

On Friday, Oct. 4, the provincial government announced its long-awaited
sports funding policy which is, in the Minister of Citizenship, Culture
and Recreation is, 3aimed at supporting Ontario's athletes and at the
same time, protecting the investment of taxpayers' dollars.'

Essentially, those sports which are part of the Ontario, Canada or
Olympic games will continue to receive funding at up to 82% of previous
levels.  As a result, 26 groups/sports were removed from eligibility
(full list follows).  The remaining 55 sports organizations (also
listed) will be eligible to apply for funding for the 1997-98 fiscal
year.

According to the Minister, the program offers flexibility, as sports
will move in and out of the funding system according to standards set
by the sports bodies that govern the three levels of competition.

A number of multi-sports organizations will also continue to be
eligible, such as Special Olympics, Wheelchair Sports etc.

It's important to recognize that this announcement does not ensure
on-going funding for the OWSA.  It is vital that we continue to be part
of at least one of the three levels of competition and that we continue
expand our reach and programs.

With a commitment to up to 82% funding next year, there will be some
changes in the OWSA.  How significant those changes will be depends on
the level of funding we actually receive.  Stay tuned.

Sports which will continue to be eligible for funding:
archery, badminton, baseball, basketball, bobsleigh, boxing, canoeing,
curling, cycling, diving, equestrian, fencing, field hockey, figure
skating, five-pin bowl, gymnastics, hockey, judo, lacrosse, lawn bowls,
luge, modern pentathlon, ringette, rowing, rugby, sailing, shooters,
skiing, soccer, softball, speed skating, squash, swimming, synchro
swim, table tennis, tae kwon do, team handball, tennis, track and
field, triathlon, volleyball, water polo, water ski, weightlifting,
wrestling.  

The eligible multi-sport organizations are:  
amputee, blind, CP, deaf, disabled and wheelchair sports, Special
Olympics and three school groups: OCAA, OFSAA and OWIAA.

Those sports not eligible are:  
ball hockey, baton twirling, broomball, cricket, fly and bait,
football, ladies and men's golf, handball, hang gliding, horseshoes,
jiu-jitsu, karate, kendo, netball, orienteering, parachuting,
powerlifting, racquetball, roller skating, rope skipping, shuffleboard,
snooker, soaring, solo swims and underwater (SCUBA).