A sporting chance
New program involves after-school activities for inner-city school students aged five to 13
Jason Weatherup saw a need and what resulted was an after-school program that links separate communities within the city. 
Noting a lack of after-school activities for inner-city school students, Weatherup started up Recruit Access Youth Sports last year. The non-profit organization focuses on soccer and basketball for youngsters in the Jane Street and Finch Avenue area and Etobicoke's Rexdale aged five to 13, Weatherup said, adding it gives participants a chance to play with children from other communities.
"We help children and youth afford sport activities and sport leagues that they would not have been able to finance on their own," Weatherup said. "We created this basically to get kids out of their areas to play with other kids. A lot of kids don't leave their own area."
The sports program currently runs out of Firgrove Public School and St. Francis de Sales at Jane Street and Finch Avenue and Kingsview Village Junior School in Etobicoke, Weatherup said, adding some 300 youths take advantage of the free sports activities.
Weatherup, who runs inner-city programming at Firgrove, said there are few after-school programs for youth in these areas.
"I knew the need was there," he said. "It keeps them busy between after school and dinner time, the time when they would likely be getting into trouble. It keeps them off the streets. These programs serve as a vital resource for such students and their families as a vehicle for supporting various social, emotional and physical needs through recreational programs."
Parents volunteer to drive the youngsters to games and high school students act as mentors and coaches, Weatherup said.
"The games are held twice a week," he said. "In the summer we focus on outdoor soccer and in the fall and winter indoor soccer and basketball. Anyone (from the communities) can play."
Weatherup, who coaches soccer along with Hood Waheleye, said his next goal is to raise money for the kids to play in a tournament in London, England next year.
To contact Weatherup, call 647-888-2964 or e-mail rays_jason@yahoo.ca.
