Take it from Whitney Weaver, the marketing and communications officer with the Sport North Federation, KidSport NWT has one simple concept.

"We help kids get into sports by paying down the financial barriers," she explained. "If someone is making a fair amount of money but can't afford to put their child into a sport, then KidSport can come in and pay for registration." 

It's a noble goal, but it's not cheap. The KidSport program has been in the NWT since 2001, administered by the Sport North Federation. KidSport's biggest fundraiser is the Roger Walker memorial golf tournament. That event took place this year in early July at the Yellowknife Golf Course, raising more than $30,000, according to Weaver.

"We had 26 teams and 105 golfers," she added. "That money goes directly to the kids of the NWT."

In 2023, the tournament raised $26,270, according to KidSport's year-in-review that was published in May 2024. Weaver said the Sport North Federation might increase the number of fundraisers it holds per year. So far, the benefit events have always revolved around golf. 

KidSport allows for grants of up to $500 per child aged 18 years or younger. That money can go towards registration fees, equipment and travel.

The most popular sport in the NWT, when it comes to funding, is hockey, said Weaver.

"We pay for the registration and we pay for equipment, but it's mostly for registration for hockey. That's throughout the whole territory, including Aklavik. Aklavik does quite a bit of hockey," she said.

Across the NWT, KidSport contributed more than $11,000 in registration grants in 2023 for hockey alone, according to their review. In Yellowknife, however, it's soccer fees KidSport helps with the most. Last year, the organization contributed more than $7,000 in individual registration grants.