Sports - Japanese Canadian Legacies Fund

Sports Overview

The purpose of the Sports Stream is to encourage and enhance sport performance and leadership among Japanese Canadian Descendants or Survivors by supporting High-Performance / High-Level Athletes (Category 1) and High-Performance Coaches (Category 2) with funds towards their development and pursuit of sport excellence.

DATES (subject to change)
Applications open April 15, 2024
Deadline for applications June 15, 2024
Application results out September 1, 2024
Projects must be completed November 30, 2025

Download Sports Guidelines

GLOSSARY

Amateur Athlete

An athlete who pursues sport as a pastime rather than a profession. Remuneration for performing as an occupation usually refers to professional athletes.

Athlete

Someone who participates in an organized team or individual sport that requires regular competition, places a high premium on excellence and achievement, and requires systematic, intense, and consistent training.

Descendant

A living person of Japanese Canadian descent whose family was directly impacted by BC Government actions in the 1940s and whose family experience in BC predates April 1, 1949. A Descendant can be living outside of BC.

High-Performance Athlete

Athletes are considered to be at a high or elite level if they are competing at a provincial or national level.

Japanese Canadian

A Canadian citizen of Japanese ancestry, or a person of Japanese ancestry who has landed immigrant or permanent resident status in Canada. Children adopted by Japanese Canadian families as well as foster children are also considered to be Japanese Canadians for the purposes of this work.

Survivor

A living person of Japanese descent born prior to April 1, 1949 who was directly impacted by BC Government actions in the 1940s. Survivors include persons who were not displaced but were living in BC, and persons who, after their families left BC, were born prior to April 1, 1949, which was the day Japanese Canadians were given full voting rights and the legal restrictions used to control the movement of Japanese Canadians were removed.

WHO CAN APPLY

Category 1A – Japanese Canadian High-Performance Athletes

Applicants must be a Japanese Canadian Descendant.
Applicants must be a minimum of 16 years old.
Applicants should be elite amateur athletes competing on a National team or competing for the Nationals, having been a winner at a Provincial level.
Applicants should aspire to the pursuit of excellence in their sport. There should be an achievement or high-level competition for which the athlete is training.

Category 1B – Japanese Canadian High-Level Athletes

Applicants must be a Japanese Canadian Descendant.
Applicants must be a minimum of 16 years old.
Applicants should be high level amateur athletes competing at least at a provincial level, e.g., an individual competing on a provincial team, university or college varsity team or an individual competing at those levels for an individual sport. Regional champions in an individual or team sport over the age of 16 can qualify. Individual applicants can submit a written case for consideration to include their Provincial ranking, awards, accomplishments and community leadership.
Applicants should aspire to the pursuit of excellence in their sport. There should be an achievement or high-level competition for which the athlete is training.

Category 2 – Japanese Canadian High-Performance Coaches

Applicants must be a Japanese Canadian Descendant or Survivor (if applicable).
Applicants should be coaching at least at a provincial level, e.g., coaching a provincial team, university varsity team and/or national team, or coaching an individual at those levels for an individual sport.
Applicants should aspire to the pursuit of excellence in coaching for their sport. There should be an achievement or competition that the coach is working towards.
The coach must have a confirmed position on a team’s coaching staff to be accepted for funding.

WHAT CAN BE FUNDED

Category 1A | Japanese Canadian High-Performance Athletes
Maximum Grant: $5,000

Category 1B | Japanese Canadian High-Level Athletes
Maximum Grant: $2,500

Applications will be accepted in any team or individual sport.
1. Applicants may only make one application to this program per intake.
2. The activity can commence within 12 months after the application has been submitted.
3. Please note that there is NO guarantee of funding and applicants must acknowledge financial responsibility for expenses incurred prior to funding announcements.
Eligible expenses may include:
1. Sport registration, affiliation, and insurance fees
2. Playing and safety equipment
3. Uniforms and training attire
4. Athlete levies and fees
5. Fees for specific training/instruction
6. Relevant travel to training sessions and competitions, e.g., transportation & accommodation
7. Fees to other individuals necessary for the training e.g., coach, manager, trainer, medical personnel, sport scientists
Projects should be completed by December 31, 2024.

Category 2 – Japanese Canadian High-Performance Coaches

Applications will be accepted for coaching roles in any team or individual sport, including a mentorship position.
Maximum Grant: $5,000
1. Applicants may only make one application to this program per intake.
2. The activity can commence within 12 months after the application has been submitted.
3. Please note that there is NO guarantee of funding and applicants must acknowledge financial responsibility for expenses incurred prior to funding announcements.
Eligible expenses may include:
1. Sport registration, affiliation and insurance fees
2. Playing and safety equipment
3. Coaching courses and certification programs
4. Coaching supplies, materials and aids
5. Uniforms and training attire
6. Fees for specific training/instruction
7. Relevant travel to training sessions and competitions, e.g., transportation and accommodation
8. Fees to other individuals necessary for the training, e.g., manager, trainer, medical personnel, sport scientists

WHAT WILL NOT BE FUNDED

Sports-related expenses for recreational athletes or professional athletes.
Capital expenses that are unrelated to the participation in the sport.
Full-time or part-time studies. (Please see Scholarship program.)
Applicants who have received NAJC funding through the Capacity Building Program, Cultural Development Fund or Endowment Fund.
Applicants who have received other funds from the JC Legacies Community Fund in the current funding period.
Activities that have already been completed by the time of the application date.

WHAT IS NEEDED FOR THE APPLICATION

Category 1A – Japanese Canadian High-Performance Athletes

Category 1B – Japanese Canadian High-Level Athletes

NOTE: Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application. The JCLS will NOT contact applicants to address errors or missing requirements, other than as required to determine eligibility. Eligible applications are assessed as submitted.

Applicants will create a user account to access the application form that will be submitted through the online application system.
Applicants must complete the following information, including longer answers as required:
1. Statement of intent as to the use of these funds through involvement in their sport as an athlete and, if applicable, the positive effect, impact, or contribution this fund will have towards the Japanese Canadian community, leadership and the athlete’s development in their respective sport. (Maximum 300 words.)
2. Applicants must describe their family history and experience in BC prior to April 1, 1949, including family names. (Maximum 300 words.)
3. Uploaded written and signed confirmation of participation in current sport through team or sport representative, coach or manager.
In addition, applicants must upload the following documents or materials:
1. Proof of Canadian citizenship (scan or photo of passport or birth certificate)
2. Proof of sport registration
3. Curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé
4. Highlighting any relevant sport-related accomplishments, teams played on, or competitions participated.
5. Budget
6. Application form will feature a budget table for applicants to complete to outline all proposed expense for the grant.
7. Two letters of recommendation (e.g., from a coach, manager, trainer or teacher) attesting to the applicant’s potential in their sport.

Category 2 – Japanese Canadian High-Performance Coaches

Applicants will create a user account to access the application form that will be submitted through the online application system.
Applicants must complete the following information, including longer answers to two separate questions:
1. Statement of intent as to the use of these funds through involvement in their sport as a coach and if applicable, the positive effect, impact, or contribution this fund will have towards building leadership within the Japanese Canadian community. (Maximum 300 words.)
2. Applicants must describe their family history and experience in BC prior to April 1, 1949, including family names. (Maximum 300 words.)
3. Uploaded written and signed confirmation of participation in current sport through team representative, coach, or manager.
In addition, applicants will upload the following documents or materials:
1. Proof of Canadian citizenship (scan or photo of passport or birth certificate)
2. Proof of registration/enrolment
3. Curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé (Maximum 3 pages.)
  1. Highlighting any relevant sport-related accomplishments and teams or individuals previously coached, if applicable.
4. Budget
  1. Application form will feature a budget table for applicants to complete to outline all proposed expense for the grant.
5. Two letters of recommendation (e.g., from a coaching partner, manager, trainer, or teacher) attesting to the applicant’s potential in coaching in their sport.

ASSESSMENT PROCESS

An assessment team consisting of Japanese Canadian community members with a depth of knowledge and experience in elite-level sports will be established through the JCLS.
The following process will be used to evaluate every application:
1. The JCLS informs each applicant upon receipt of application and JCLS Community Fund program staff review the applications for eligibility.
2. The assessment committee evaluates eligible applications to determine whether the applicants should be funded and the level of funding for successful applicants.
3. The assessment committee recommends applicants to the JCLS, which makes the final approvals.
4. The JCLS informs each applicant if they are successful or unsuccessful in their application.
All decisions of the JCLS and assessment committee are final.

NOTIFICATION

Decisions will be made by the JCLS and the assessment committee within approximately six weeks of the application deadline. Notification will be sent via the online system to the contact linked to the online application. Results cannot be requested in advance.
Applicants should ensure the email address community@jclegacies.com is on their safe sender list and applicants should check their spam folders on a regular basis following their submission of application.

PAYMENT OF GRANTS

Awards will be paid in one instalment.
If a project changes, recipients must contact the JCLS (in writing) as soon as possible to discuss impact on the project and to request permission for the changes.
The JCLS reserves the right to suspend payments if the recipient:
1. does not carry out their planned project
2. If the project is not carried out as the result of injury, medical letters will be required and must be provided to Community Fund program staff;
3. makes major changes to the planned project without the approval of the JCL;
4. fails to comply with the terms of the grant, including submission of final report.
Social Insurance Number (SIN) may be required for successful applicants so that required tax documents (including T4A forms) may be completed.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Recipients must submit a final report within 30 days of their designated training period as stated in their application.
Instructions on submitting final reports will be given to successful applicants.
The requirement for an interim and a final report will be part of the grant agreement.
Future applications to the JCLS will be ineligible if reporting requirements are not met.

Grant Application

High Performance Athletes

Encouraging and enhancing sport performance and leadership amongst Japanese Canadian Descendants by supporting high-performance athletes with funds towards their development and pursuit of sport excellence. These categories are designed for high-performance individuals pursuing sport excellence as an athlete.

Funding of up to $5,000 per application.

Each applicant may apply for only one grant per stream.

Application Deadline: June 15, 2024

See Guidelines & Apply

Grant Application

High Performance Coaches

Encouraging and enhancing sport performance and leadership amongst Japanese Canadian Descendants by supporting high-performance coaches with funds towards their development and pursuit of sport excellence. These categories are designed for high-performance individuals pursuing sport excellence as a coach.

Funding of up to $5,000 per application.

Each applicant may apply for only one grant per stream.

Application Deadline: June 15, 2024

See Guidelines & Apply

CONFIDENTIALITY

The collection, use and disclosure of personal information are subject to the privacy provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (BC). Personal information will be shared in confidence with members of the assessment committee. The names and locations of successful applicants will be published, along with the amount of the award, in the Annual Report of the JCLS as well as in various communications and promotional vehicles thereof. Social Insurance Numbers are provided to Canada Revenue Agency through the issuance of T4As.

RECOGNITION OF ASSISTANCE

In recognition of funding, the support of the JCLS should be acknowledged in all promotional materials, both print and online where appropriate. Further details of recognition will be provided to successful applicants.

AMENDMENT OF GUIDELINES

These guidelines may be amended by the JCLS from time to time and applicants should ensure that their applications comply with the most recent version of the guidelines.

THIS VERSION OF THE GUIDELINES IS DATED MAY 1, 2023.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have any questions after reading these Application Guidelines and the Frequently Asked Questions, please contact the JCLS Community Fund program staff: community@jclegacies.com.

Any general inquiries to the JCLS Project Office can be directed to: info@jclegacies.com.

CONFIDENTIALITY

RECOGNITION OF ASSISTANCE

AMENDMENT OF GUIDELINES

These guidelines may be amended by the JCLS from time to time and applicants should ensure that their applications comply with the most recent version of the guidelines.

THIS VERSION OF THE GUIDELINES IS DATED MAY 1, 2023.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have any questions after reading these Application Guidelines and the Frequently Asked Questions, please contact the JCLS Community Fund program staff: community@jclegacies.com.

Any general inquiries to the JCLS Project Office can be directed to: info@jclegacies.com.