CAN Fund offers 2 applications a year to which summer, winter, able-bodied and Paralympic athletes representing Canada on the world stage can apply. Each athlete is eligible to receive up to $16,000 a year from CAN Fund ($8,000/application). Top level athletes receive $1765/month from Sport Canada to live on. The majority of athletes in Canada rely on CAN Fund so they can afford proper nutrition, better equipment, coaching, team fees, extra physiotherapy and travel to training camps and competitions.
- Since 2003 CAN Fund has raised over $40 million for Canadian athletes.
- CAN Fund supported 80% of the Canadian athletes representing Canada at each of the Beijing, Tokyo, PyeongChang, Rio, Sochi, London, Vancouver, Beijing, Torino and Athens Games.
- Our goal is always to impact the greatest number of athletes possible. As funds are raised, financial support is distributed to successful applicants on a continuous basis. The number of athletes that can be supported each application all depends on the amount of funds raised.
CAN FUND ATHLETE APPLICATION
A record 998 athletes (summer, winter, able-bodied and para) applied to CAN Fund for direct financial support.
Imagine having an innate athletic talent, an unwavering work ethic and world class performances, but your country still expects you to come up with the financial means to afford the resources you need to be an athlete at the highest level. The best athletic talent in our country do not want a handout they need “seed capital” as many are going into debt to represent Canada. With your support, CAN Fund changes these circumstances for our athletes.
Following is an eye-opening reality of just how underfunded athletes applying to CAN Fund are.
3 out of 5 athletes are in debt and have a negative net income. Their expenses to train and compete for Canada are greater than their income from sponsorship, bursaries, prize money and work.
40% of the winter athletes reporting negative net income are not only the best in Canada but they are also ranked top 20 in the world!
53% of the winter athletes relying on CAN Fund also work throughout the year when permitted to supplement their income. Keep in mind that most athletes train 6 days a week and at least 4 hours a day.
Being a national team athlete Is a full-time job that requires months spent away from home.
Every sport is very different when it comes to their major expenses. Athletes are constantly trying to balance their training with being able to afford what they need to be competitive.
- An Alpine Skier pays an average annual “team fee” of $21,235.
- A Track Cyclist athlete spends on average $4855 a year on equipment.
- A Bobsleigh athlete spends an average of $3,190 a year on equipment.
- A Beach Volleyball player spends on average $16,081 annually on travel.
- A Freestyle Skier spends an average of $10,363 annually on travel.
- A Canoe/Kayak athlete pays on average $3846.22 annually to travel to warm weather training.
- A Figure Skater spends on average $22,347 a year on coaching.
- A Para Ice Hockey Player spends on average $5,283 a year on proper nutrition.
- A Rower spends $7176 annually on proper nutrition to fuel their bodies.
