I am pleased to announce that the Federation of Badminton Clubs (FBC) has successfully applied for and has now been granted funds of $214,500 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to promote the sport of badminton in the following areas: 1. Certification of Coaches (subsidies for NCCP certifications) 2. Development of training programs for all ages under the Long Term Athlete Development Model. 3. Funding for a Technical Director and a Head Coach 4. Equipments (Nets, Junior Rackets, Black Knight trainer, shadow trainers, PA System for tournaments and etc.) 5. Promotion of League Play (subsidies for shuttles) We will be celebrating our OTF grant on May 12th, 2013 in conjunction with the FBC League Finals. There will be a cake cutting ceremony with Trillium Representatives, City Councillors, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and media release. Our MPP (Dr. Helena Jaczek) had requested for our Board to make a statement in Queens Park to speak about the importance of Badminton in our community. We will unveil more details surrounding how the funds will be used and the benefits to the badminton clubs, members and the community: • Delivery of an Active Start and Fundamental Program • Badminton scholarships • Funding for High Performance Players So mark this date – Sunday, May 12th - Trillium Celebration & FBC League Finals. I hope you will all be able to come out to celebrate with us and learn more about the future of badminton. More details will follow in the coming weeks...so stay tuned. Note: A total of $12.5 million of funds were requested by various organizations in the York Simcoe District. The Ontario Trillium Foundation granted $2.5 million in funds. FBC received ~9% ($214,500) of the funds granted. This is a major acahievement for the Sport of Badminton in our community. Getting a funding of this nature along with being recognized by both Municpal and Provicial Goverment will help us spring board the sport to the next level. Under the TO2015 PAN AM motto of “UNITED WE PLAY”, we learn that, “UNITED WE WILL SUCCEED”!! The Federation of Badminton Clubs is a “NOT for Profit” organization operated by volunteers The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the of the Government of Ontario