TORONTO, ON - Twelve (12) Softball Association Fundamental Excellence (SAFE) Awards are available to qualifying Softball Associations between January 9, 2012 and January 23, 2012!

What is a SAFE Award?
A Softball Association Fundamental Excellence Award is an award of $500 for Softball Associations to use in one of four (4) categories:

• Volunteer Development
• Community Coach Development
• Competitive Coach Development
• Umpire Development

The Awards will help Softball Associations to train volunteers for the 2012 softball season, thereby increasing their volunteer capacity and the quality of their programs. Softball Associations receiving a SAFE Award will receive a special presentation of a SAFE Award Plaque at one of their Softball Association’s events. In addition, the SAFE Award will help Softball Associations to work towards improving their SAFE STAR Rating!

How do I apply for a SAFE Award?
Applying for a SAFE Award is easy! Just follow these three (3) steps:

Step 1: Become a member of the Play Softball Network by midnight on January 23, 2012. It’s free and easy to join, with lots of benefits for your Softball Association! Download an application form here!

Step 2: Submit your SAFE STAR Rating Application by midnight on January 23, 2012. Download a copy of the SAFE STAR Rating Application Form here

Step 3: Complete the SAFE Award Application Form and send it to the Softball Ontario Office by midnight on January 23, 2012. Download a copy of the SAFE STAR Rating Application Form here

Softball Associations are encouraged to set up a telephone meeting with Participation Program Coordinator Lisa Crompton by phone at 416-426-7150 to review applications prior to submission.

Complete all three (3) Steps in the SAFE Award Application Process by midnight on January 23, 2012 to be eligible for a SAFE Award. To assist Softball Associations in their application, sample application materials are available in the SAFE STAR Section of Softball Ontario’s web site at www.softballontario.ca under Association Awards.

If you would like to find out more information about the Softball Association Fundamental Excellence (SAFE) Awards, the SAFE STAR Ratings Program, or if you have any questions please contact Lisa Crompton or call 416-426-7150.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario. Their mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities throughout Ontario by strengthening the capacity of the voluntary sector, through investments in community-based initiatives.