The programme, led by the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), is designed to advance the Olympic Movement by providing financial assistance to Team Canada Olympians leading community projects.

Since its launch in 2019, it has helped to fund 25 schemes across the country.

Projects are listed in one of three categories – play, podium, or planet.

Play is for campaigns that improve accessibility, encourage inclusivity and diversity among youth and communities at all levels of sport.

Podium plans seek to strengthen the sport system and support the athlete journey.

Finally, planet projects promote and support environmental sustainability and the health of the planet.

Snowboarder Liam Gill runs the Liam & Friends programme which looks to get more indigenous people into sport in Canada.

After his debut Olympic appearance at Beijing 2022 Gill, a member of the Liidlii Kue First Nation, toured three communities in the northwest territories where he participated in snowboard clinics.

Gill is hoping to bring many of the athletes that he met on the tour to a private event in Alberta where he will aim to develop and inspire young indigenous people to participate in sport.

"It has taken a village of family, friends and all my supporters to allow me to be where I am today as an Olympian who is receiving a grant from the COC," said Gill.

"Sport has the power to unite, create joy and inspire hope and pride.

"I want to share my love for snowboarding and the outdoors with youth from rural communities in the northwest territories.

"It means the world to me that Aboriginal youth are riding, participating and getting involved.

"I am honoured the Liam & Friends event will help to provide access to snowboarding for those youth who may not have the financial means to do so on their own."

The OLY Grant will assist in paying for travel expenses for attendees of the event set to take place in the northern hemisphere spring.