Commonwealth Games Canada sends out SOS to raise funds

TORONTO — Acknowledging its cupboard is near bare, Commonwealth Games Canada is launching a fundraising drive.

The organization says it needs to raise $800,000 every quadrennial to keep sending a team to the Games, noting that Commonwealth Games alumni are responsible for 80 per cent of the Canadian medals won at the Summer Olympics.

Commonwealth Games Canada CEO Brian MacPherson said the $1.8-million cost of sending a team to the Gold Coast Games in Australia in April was largely covered by government and sponsor contributions and CGC’s “small reserve fund.”

“But not without charging some of the athletes a pay-to-play fee,” he added.

As it is, 83 of the 283 athletes had to contribute to the cost of going. In some cases, the bill was paid by their federations. But some had to dig into their own pocket to represent their country.

Athletes ranked in the top five in the Commonwealth did not have to pay. Those ranked sixth through eighth or so-called “next-generation athletes” had to contribute $3,000 each.

The organization currently receives $1 million from government and sponsors but needs to raise $200,000 per year “or we’ll risk losing a team forever.”

It is hoping that individual Canadians and businesses step up to help make up the shortfall. So Commonwealth Games Canada, in conjunction with “Giving Tuesday” on Nov. 27, is kicking off a series of fundraising campaigns.

MacPherson called the $1.8-million team budget “barebones” for a team that totalled 400-plus counting coaches and officials.