Breaking Barriers: Surge ASSIST for Youth Participation in Sports and Culture

Surge ASSIST is an award-winning community initiative led by the Calgary Surge in partnership with registered charity Kids Up Front Calgary. The mission is simple but powerful: to ensure every child in Calgary—regardless of background—can experience the magic of live sports, arts, and culture.

Through Surge ASSIST, corporate and individual donors purchase Calgary Surge tickets that are distributed by Kids Up Front through a network of more than 180 local social service agencies. Each ticket becomes a gateway to inclusion—a chance for a young person to belong, celebrate, and feel part of Calgary’s home team.

Since 2023, Surge ASSIST has provided more than 6,500 free experiences for children and families from 79 partner agencies. Demand continues to rise as basketball becomes one of Canada’s fastest-growing sports—particularly among newcomer and equity-deserving communities—and as the game itself becomes increasingly intertwined with music, fashion, and the arts.

With Field Law’s $9,975 contribution, we will be able to fund an additional 175 participants who face financial and other access barriers. This expansion will be delivered through a social service agency of Field Law’s choosing, ensuring that this project directly supports communities that align with Field Law’s values. Customization of this nature is rare, but the predictability of Field Law’s support allows us to coordinate and meet the unique needs of these youth.

Proposed fund allocation:

• $6,650 – Tickets & accessibility costs (175 × $38)
• $1,575 – Surge t-shirts with Field Law logo (175 × $9)
• $1,750 – Food & beverage (175 × $10)

Each group receives coordinated transportation, branded t-shirts to foster unity, and in-arena recognition celebrating their participation.

The program is jointly managed by the Surge front office and Kids Up Front. The Surge oversees donor engagement, logistics, and storytelling, while Kids Up Front manages agency coordination, ticket distribution, tax receipting, and participant feedback.

Beyond a single game, these experiences build confidence, belonging, and civic pride. Agencies report participants re-engaging with school, community programs, and volunteerism—creating a true ripple of inclusion across the city.

Ultimately, Surge ASSIST is about more than basketball—it’s about building a Calgary where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired.

This idea directly benefits 175 children and families from Calgary’s most vulnerable populations—youth served by Kids Up Front Calgary's network of 180 partner agencies. Participants include newcomers, Indigenous youth, children from low-income households, and those facing barriers such as transportation or accessibility costs.

For many, this will be their first professional sporting or arts and culture event. The experience builds self-esteem, community pride, and a sense of inclusion. Families who attend often re-engage with community resources, enrol children in local sports and basketball clubs, or volunteer with their agencies—multiplying the positive impact.

In addition, donors, volunteers, and Calgary Surge fans benefit by seeing tangible results of their community investment, reinforcing a shared culture of kindness and belonging.