Young Athletes Compete in 2015 Butterfly Canadian Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Open

GATINEAU, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - May 14, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today announced $50,000 for Table Tennis Canada to support the hosting of the 2015 Butterfly Canadian Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Open from May 11 to 14, 2015, in Markham, Ontario. This competition is a test event in advance of the Toronto 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games this summer.

Quick Facts

• The 2015 Butterfly Canadian Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Open is an annual event that has attracted 185 athletes from 12 countries.

• The funding, provided through Sport Canada's Hosting Program, will provide 100 young Canadian athletes with a highly competitive international experience along with 12 Canadian coaches and 18 officials.

• In 2014-15, the Government of Canada, through Sport Canada's Sport Support Program, provided $502,000 to Table Tennis Canada to support programs and services that have a direct impact on athletes and athlete development and that provide children and young people with their first experience in sport.

• In 2014-15, the Government of Canada, through the Athlete Assistance Program, provided five athletes with direct monthly support to assist with their living, training and education expenses to allow them to focus on their training.

• During the Year of Sport in Canada, the Government of Canada is encouraging Canadians of all levels of ability to participate in sport according to their talents, abilities and interests. In Economic Action Plan 2015, the Government doubled the Children's Fitness Tax Credit to $1,000 to help offset the costs of parents enrolling their children in organized sports. At the same time, it will be investing an additional $20 million in the next generation of high-performance Olympic and Paralympic athletes, to ensure that our country's top athletes continue to have what they need to push for the podium today and in the future.

Quotes

"During this Year of Sport in Canada, we are very proud to support the 2015 Canada Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Open as it will provide our young Canadian athletes with important international experience that is sure to pay competitive dividends in the future. This competition will also provide Table Tennis Canada, the event organizers and local volunteers an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations in advance of the Toronto 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games, starting in a few weeks."

-The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)

"Table Tennis Canada is very appreciative of the Government of Canada's support to the 2015 Butterfly Canadian Junior and Cadet Table Tennis Open. The support for this week's event allows our younger athletes to test their skills against international competition, which is an important element in their development as they look to push for international podiums in the future."

-Tony Kiesenhofer, Chief Executive Officer, Table Tennis Canada

Associated Links

Canada.ca/Sport

Table Tennis Canada

2015 Canadian Junior & Cadet Open

Year of Sport

Children's Fitness Tax Credit

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