Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring up the issue of a lack of funding for Super Soccer, which is just one small example of the tremendous problems faced by youths and other interest groups in all of the small communities. Mr. Speaker, the way Super Soccer is structured is limiting and constrictive. I am not certain that the structure is serving the needs of the soccer-playing community. Smaller communities are at a disadvantage. Soccer could be further developed so that more individuals can take advantage of the training. Often, smaller communities have difficulty developing competitive individuals and teams compared to the larger centres.
There are several problems, Mr. Speaker. The first is that smaller communities have to come up with their own up-front funding to send sports teams by air to Yellowknife for Super Soccer. While there are some ways to recover partial travel costs, it is largely after the fact -- and only for a percentage of travel.
Another problem is with the huge costs of obtaining a bingo licence. Often sports groups have to fund raise, competing with other interest groups, just to get the very scarce money in small communities together to pay for a bingo licence. There does not seem to be a manageable separate rate for non-profit groups. The Super Soccer tournament is coming up this May in Yellowknife. Soccer teams in Fort Resolution have been holding bake sales, penny and bottle drives, and holding lunches at the school. They are scratching the bottom of the barrel, trying to come up with the funds they need to send the number of teams they want to.
If Super Soccer were held in March, many teams would not have to fly into Yellowknife, they could drive. That way, more teams would be able to compete. They would also save on the amount of money in the car to make the trip. The problem with all of these concerns is that many individuals and teams are missing out. Communities, such as Fort Resolution, can only afford to send so many players by air. Many more students would be participating if they did not have to fly or worry about funding.
It has been suggested that since Super Soccer is aimed at school children and takes place in the schools, that it also be funded by the divisional boards of education through the Department of Education. Soccer is a universal sport, requiring little equipment. All you need is a ball and a good pair of shoes.