David Sidoo is proud to join Bobby Singh in presenting the Down Set Hut Football Camp for its fourth year on May 12^th, 2012 at the Minoru Oval in Richmond, BC.

Conceived and founded by David Sidoo’s friend, former CFL, NFL and XFL pro footballer, Bobby Singh, the camp takes places on the magical day of May 12^th, 2012 at the Minrou Oval in Richmond, BC. The non-contact skills camp is aimed at boys and girls aged 7-15 with football skills and experience ranging from beginner through advanced. Attendees are grouped according to age and, over the course of the day, rotate through different skills stations, each representing one of the eight positions on the football field.

Bobby Singh is the only Pro Football player to win a Super Bowl, XFL Championship, and a Grey Cup, but his success isn’t limited to the football field. Singh was elected as a trustee on the Richmond school board, and his CFL and NFL prospects are carefully weighed against the commitments he made to his community. He is active in different volunteer and community projects, including the Richmond Boys and Girls club.  Bobby Singh wants to help your children be successful by being a part of the football camps in Vancouver.

This event is near and dear to David Sidoo’s heart as it provides invaluable opportunities for youth to develop lifelong team building skills and gain inspiration and guidance from dedicated professional football athletes.

During his formative years at New Westminster Secondary School, David Sidoo was introduced to football, which gave him a sense of validation and focus. David Sidoo earned a scholarship to play football at UBC in 1978, where he became a highly decorated Thunderbird. Following university, David Sidoo went on to be the first Indo Canadian to play in the Canadian Football League—five years with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and one year with the BC Lions.

David retired from football in 1988 but remains active in promoting youth and young adults in the sport through scholarships and events such as Down Set Hut. Each year David Sidoo and Sidoo Family Giving contribute funding to enable a number of local kids to attend the Camp.  David also spends the day on the field, sharing his football expertise and mentoring Camp attendees.

In addition to Bobby Singh and David Sidoo, the exciting line up of coaches for this year’s event includes Geroy Simon (BC Lions), Paul McCallum (BC Lions), Paris Jackson (BC Lions), Shea Emry (Montreal Alouettes), Davis Sanchez (Montreal Alouettes) and more!

Registration includes a Down Set Hut Football Camp team jersey package, an official Down Set Hut Football sports beverage bottle, a healthy lunch, and amazing prizes that include: Sports memorabilia, autographed jersey’s and footballs, BC Lions Football Tickets, and a opportunity to star in an up coming STORMTECH commercial!

Space is limited, so register today! For more information and to register, click here.

4th Annual Football Camp Team Radio Promo (MP3)

Sidoo Family Giving – David Sidoo and Manjy Sidoo
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David and Manjy Sidoo with Grammy-award winning R&B artist Jennifer Hudson

On April 21, 2012, David and Manjy Sidoo of Sidoo Family Giving watched the power of their dream unfold as the Overture Aida event, which they partnered with the Vancouver Opera to create, blossomed into a wildly successful and truly memorable fundraising event.

The fundraiser took place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and included a catered dinner by the Four Seasons Hotel that was served to attendees on the stage of Vancouver Opera’s presentation of Aida. Special performances by spoken word artist Shane Koyczan and Grammy-award winning R&B artist Jennifer Hudson were evening highlights at the sold-out event.

Funds were raised through ticket sales and both silent and live auctions each with an extensive array of items up for grabs, including a private-jet flight trip for 10 to the 2013 Superbowl in New Orleans.

Manjy Sidoo, who had served on the Vancouver Opera’s Board for five years, and David Sidoo were delighted with the event’s outcome. “Since this was her last year as a board member, both Manjy and I decided that we would put our best foot forward and do what we can for the opera,” said David.

By any standards the event was a great success as at the end of the night, more than $1.2 million were raised to support the Vancouver Opera and its youth programs in British Columbia.

Sidoo Family Giving – David Sidoo and Manjy Sidoo
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In December we reported that New Westminster Secondary School senior, Regan Eberding, was the winner of the Sidoo Family Giving Scholarship based on both academic and athletic achievement.

Now we’re delighted to learn that Regan has committed to play for the UBC Thunderbirds, of which David Sidoo is an alumnus. NWSS Head Coach, Farhan Lalji sings high praises of the talented player, “Regan is among the most committed athletes and well-rounded young men we’ve ever had the privilege of working with. He deserves this opportunity and I’m looking forward to seeing him reach his potential both on and off the field under [UBS Head Coach Shawn Olson]. I expect him to make an impact on the field and in the world.”

More on Regan’s announcement from the HWSS Hyacks Football Newsletter:

EBERDING COMMITS TO UBC

Regan Eberding becomes the latest Hyack Football player to earn a football scholarship. The graduating senior DB/QB just committed to the UBC Thunderbirds.

Eberding missed most of his senior season due to a shoulder injury, but still managed to impress college recruiters based on the athleticism he showed during his grade 11 season and the handful of games he played in grade 12. Eberding was also the winner of the Sidoo Family Scholarship based on his academic and athletic achievement, leadership and perseverance.

He is expected to suit up in the defensive secondary for the Thunderbirds, who are coming off a turnaround season after playing in the Canada West Championship game.

“It is extremely exciting to be offered another chance to play the sport that has given me so much and shaped me into who I am today,” said Eberding. “I am grateful to everyone involved in making Hyacks football the best high school football program in the province as it is a great place for young men to grow within. I am looking forward to the opportunity to prove myself at the next level.”

“We are very excited to have Regan join the Thunderbirds,” said UBC Head Coach, Shawn Olson, “His work ethic, athleticism and intelligence exemplify the type of student athlete we are building out program on.”

Eberding becomes the 22nd NWSS grad in the past 9 years to play college football. He will join linebackers, Vivie Bojilov and Ian Henderson, along with running back, Warren Reece, on the UBC roster.

The opportunity to attend UBC and join the Thunderbirds football program is a great one for Ryan. Recently he expressed his thanks to David and Sidoo Family Giving:

Dear Mr. Sidoo

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity towards the New West football program. Over the past four years New West has been a great place to play and your donations have ensured that, I would also like to thank you for the scholarship you developed within the program. I have just recently signed my letter of intent to UBC and have applied to the faculty of food and nutrition science for next year. I am very grateful for the money you have given me in order to enable me to do so. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and will help me a great deal with the financial burden of university. The team looks to be a great environment for me to continue to grow as a football player and as a person and I would like to convey my utmost gratitude for your generosity in supporting myself and both New Westminster football and UBC football, you have been and will continue to be a great impact on my life through this 8 year process.

Thanks,

Regan Eberding

We are thrilled for Regan and wish him the greatest success when he officially becomes a Thunderbird at UBC this fall. “This,” said David Sidoo, “is why we do what we do!”

Way to go Regan!

David Sidoo and Manjy Sidoo

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Each year Sidoo Family Giving sponsors an athletics scholarship to one deserving student athlete at New Westminster Secondary School in New Westminster, BC. NWSS is David Sidoo’s alma mater and he is a strong supporter of its athletics programs – especially his own passion, football.

The $1500 SFG Scholarship is awarded to those NWSS students who demonstrate academic and athletic achievement, as well as leadership and perseverance. David and Manjy Sidoo established the scholarship with the goal of helping student athletes who may not otherwise be able to afford to attend university.

The 2011 Sidoo Family Scholarship at NWSS was recently awarded to Regan Eberding, a senior who will be putting the scholarship funds toward tuition at UBC in 2012. This pairing strikes a deep chord with David, who also played football at NWSS and then went on to join the UBC Thunderbirds team.

Regan with Chad Oatway (left) the NWSS Defensive Coordinator and ex-UBC player, and Farhan Lalji (right) NWSS Head Coach and broadcaster for TSN.

Congratulations, Regan! Looking forward to seeing you suited up with the TBirds next Fall!

Sidoo Family Giving – David and Manjy Sidoo
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SFG’s David Sidoo, retired CFL pro footballer and UBC alumnus, joined a few former T-Birds teammates to celebrate the 2011 Grey Cup – Vanier Cup weekend and raise funds to support the UBC Thunderbirds Football scholarship program.

On November 23, 2011, at Joey Bar and Grill in Vancouver, Mike Emery, David Sidoo, Bernie Glier, Mike Canic and Jason Riley broke bread and contributed individual donations toward the Thunderbirds scholarship program. Each member of group was part of the 1982 UBC Thunderbirds football team that has been called “the greatest in CIAU history” for having gone undefeated in Canadian competition.  The team was inducted into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 for their record-setting performance.

David and his former teammates attended the Thunderbirds Breakfast on November 25, 2011 at the Vancouver Convention Center where All-Canadian university athletes and coaches were honoured, including Frank Smith and Richard Negrin.

To round out the weekend celebrations, Former T-Bird Jason Riley coached the McMaster Marauders to their first ever Vanier Cup victory at BC Place.

David Sidoo and his former teammates attended the Thunderbirds Breakfast on November 25, 2011

David Sidoo and the UBC Thunderbirds - 1982 Vanier Cup

Sidoo Family Giving – David and Manjy Sidoo
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“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being. ”
~Oscar Wilde

Vancouver is a major city that is home to countless youth from all walks of life and with a full range of backgrounds and opportunities. In order to bring some of these varied youth communities together, Sidoo Family Giving started a program that unites student through a common interest – theatre arts. It’s part of a larger initiative within the foundation to collaborate with Saint Georges school, one of Canada’s premiere boarding and day schools for boys, and other schools in the Vancouver area to promote cross-pollination and interaction among communities. The foundation has been mentoring and financially assisting the Saint George’s program for the past several years.

Recently SFG collaborated with Saint Georges School located in Vancouver’s West-side and Templeton Secondary School located in Vancouver’s East-side to bring together students from far-reaching ends of the city in the context of arts and culture.

The Saint George’s School Saints Players presented The Miser–French playwright Moliere’s five-act satirical comedy–in a five night run in early November. David and Manjy Sidoo of Sidoo Family Giving worked with Jim Crescenzo, head of the Templeton Secondary School theatre and arts program, to bring students from the Templeton program to an evening performance of the play.

SFG sponsored tickets and transportation for sixty students many of whom were at-risk youth whose lives had been turned around by Templeton’s arts and theatre program. Oscar Wilde certainly had it right: in the context of theatre the diverse backgrounds of the students disappeared and they simply became human beings sharing together a common passion.

“The students had a great time and were very excited to attend and meet them all. It was another fantastic evening that opened a new experience for these wonderfully talented students from both Saints and Templeton,” said David Sidoo. “East side meets west side. It was really cool to see the young kids interact.”

Sidoo Family Giving – David and Manjy Sidoo
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SFF Connecting Youth Through Theatre

On October 25^th, 2011 David and Manjy Sidoo joined thirteen UBC students for a celebratory breakfast on campus. The outstanding students were this year’s recipients of the annual Sidoo Family Giving scholarships in athletics and the arts.

The athletics endowment is the largest of its kind at UBC—eleven students received scholarships into the football program this year. In addition, one theatre and one film student each received an SFG art scholarship.

The program, which began seven years ago, provides students with funds ranging from $1000 to $2500 each, based on need. Many recipients of the scholarships would have been challenged to graduate from UBC if it were not for Sidoo Family Giving’s support.

For UBC alumni David and Manjy Sidoo, giving back to their university is an important objective for the SFF.  “To whom much is given much is expected,” said David, who during his university years was given an opportunity by UBC to pursue his football and academic careers with financial assistance.  “My wife and I feel that these scholarships are a wonderful investment our youth and, subsequently, the future of British Columbia.”

Congratulations to this year’s amazing recipients!

Sidoo Family Giving – David and Manjy Sidoo
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For UBC alumni David and Manjy Sidoo, giving back to their university is an important objective for the SFF.

David Sidoo was a decorated football player with the UBC Thunderbirds

David and Manjy Sidoo are both UBC alumni and are fervent supporters of the university’s athletics program. One of the key Sidoo Family Giving projects is UBC Athletics where SFG is the single largest donor to the athletic scholarship program.

David was a decorated football player with the UBC Thunderbirds and continues to take an active interest in the team.

His memorable five-year football career with the Thunderbirds began in 1978, when the UBC team played in its first ever Vanier Cup. Over the years David set several records and earned many awards that made him a shining star in the league. The crowning glory came in 1982 when David helped captain UBC to win its first Vanier Cup.

David Sidoo and the UBC Thunderbirds - 1982 Vanier Cup

David went on to play six years of professional football with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the BC Lions before retiring.

Though he may no longer play football, David remains actively involved with the development of the sport for youth and young adults, including the Thunderbirds team. This year, the TBirds football team is having its best season since 2004 and has secured a spot in the Canada West Playoffs for the first time in five years.

Listen to the following audio clip to hear David being interviewed by Vancouver journalist Richard Zussman – they talk about that magical 1982 Vanier Cup win and David shares some wisdom for the current team.

David Sidoo Interview

Sidoo Family Giving – David and Manjy Sidoo
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David Sidoo found a philanthropic match made in heaven in the Down Set Hut Football Camp.

With his deep-seated passion for football and an even deeper passion for creating opportunities for youth in sport, David Sidoo found a philanthropic match made in heaven in the Down Set Hut Football Camp.

DSH – Borne of a Desire to Give Back

Conceived and founded by David’s friend, former CFL, NFL and XFL pro footballer, Bobby Singh, the camp takes places on one magical day each May in Richmond, BC. The non-contact skills camp is aimed at kids aged 7-15 (boys and girls) with skills and experience ranging from beginner through advanced. Attendees are grouped according to age and, over the course of the day, rotate through different skills stations, each representing one of the eight positions on the football field.

At each station, the kids are coached by an exciting array of Pro talent including Bobby Singh, Mark Uyeyama (49ers Head Strength and Conditioning Coach), Davis Sanchez (Lions Cornerback), Geroy Simon (Lions Slotback), Paris Jackson (Lions Slotback), Paul McCallum (Lions Kicker), Shea Emry (Alouettes Linebacker), Travis Lulay (Lions QB) and many more.

Each attendee receives a white Down Set Hut t-shirt and the coaches each carry Sharpies. At the completion of each skill station, coaches chat with the kids and sign their shirts.

For the kids involved, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime and for the Pros, it’s a chance to give back.

SFG – Multi-faceted Support

A fervent supporter of Down Set Hut since its inception three years ago, David helped Bobby get the program on its feet and has contributed funding to enable close to 50 local kids to attend each year.

Down Set Hut and Sidoo Family Giving share the philosophy that “time, talent and treasure” are key to any philanthropic endeavor.

This year, David introduced a new twist. Inspired by a deep connection to his hometown of New Westminster, David sponsored 60 kids from New West to attend the 3^rd running of Down Set Hut. And when the eager crew of aspiring players gathered at Richmond’s Minrou Park on May 14, David was there to meet them – decked out in full coaching gear!

David spent the day helping to guide and mentor the full roster of 128 camp attendees… And loved every minute of it! At the end of camp, David awarded Sidoo Family Foundation sponsored trophies to Sam McLeod of St Albert, AB for MVP and Tayvion Johnson from Surrey for Most Inspirational Player.

Making a Difference

Sidoo Family Giving remains deeply involved with the Down Set Hut Football Camp because it provides invaluable opportunities for youth to develop lifelong team building skills and gain inspiration and guidance from dedicated professional athletes.  The feedback from camp attendees speaks volumes:

The DOWN SET HUT Football Camp, run this past Saturday in Richmond, was a great event.  Bobby Singh, with the help of many sponsors, amongst them Dave Sidoo, pulled off a fun filled camp.  In order to attend the camp, we drove down from St Albert, Alberta and it was well worth it.

The pro and amateur coaches involved in this project provided the young players with great tips and encouragement.  Special shout outs to: Kelly Bates, Shea Emry, Paris Jackson, Jamal Lee, Will Loftus, Travis Lulay, Rolly Lumbala, Mike Reilly, Davis Sanchez, and Dean Valli.

Brian Macleod

St Albert, AB

If you’re interested in joining David and Sidoo Family Giving in sponsoring Down Set Hut, you can find more information and donate online here.

2011 Media Coverage

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Carpenter+tops+speed+chart+Indy+opening/4786430/story.html

http://www.stormtech.tv/2011/05/down-set-hut-football/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFKVxoiv0mM

David and Manjy Sidoo started Sidoo Family Giving five years ago with the goal of enriching the lives of children and families around the world. Promoting health and wellbeing is a significant focus of Sidoo Family Giving.

A few years ago, the compassionate couple became aware that every day hundreds of children in British Columbia go to school hungry for reasons ranging from poverty to an inability to eat first thing in the morning.

Hunger Negatively Impacts Learning

Numerous studies, such as the one below, have shown that lack of morning nutrition has negative effects on school performance:

“Over the past five years, significant new evidence has documented the link between eating breakfast and learning. Recent studies show that skipping breakfast…is associated with quantifiable negative consequences for academic, cognitive, health, and mental health functioning.”

• J. Michael Murphy, EdD, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. From “Breakfast and Learning: An Updated Review.” Journal of Current Nutrition and Food Science 2007; 3(1): 3-36.

School organizations are listening and school meal programs have been on the increase across North America thanks to the support of government agencies, the efforts of not-for-profit organizations and the generosity of community members. Meal programs ensure that students receive a nutritious breakfast or lunch or both several days a week.

School Meal Program Benefits

According to the non-profit society, Breakfast Clubs of Canada, “Teaching staff have reported at least 30 minutes more effective teaching time per day as a result of breakfast programs instilled in their schools.” Further, their In-school breakfast programs have demonstrated the following benefits:

• Improved attendance and punctuality;
• Renewed interest in curriculum subjects;
• Increased understanding of how healthy eating habits affect energy levels;
• Improved behaviour and increased concentration, leading to greater achievement;
• Improved social skills and confidence to interact with other children and adults;
• Reduced bullying through increased cross-age and peer-group interaction and communication;
• Enhanced relationships with family members and the wider community of breakfast clubs.

Source: http://www.breakfastclubscanada.org/benefitsBalancedBreakfast.aspx

SFF Fuels Students in New West

Over the past two years, Sidoo Family Giving has contributed $30,000 to the Janta Sewak Society, which directed the funds into a healthy meals program in the New Westminster BC School District. As a result, more than twelve thousand nutritious meals and snacks were served to over one thousand students each year.

On May 17, 2011, David and Manjy dropped in to the New Westminster Secondary School Breakfast Club to help prepare and serve meals. New Westminster Mayor, Wayne Wright, joined the couple amid a media event designed to create awareness of the need for school meal programs in New West and elsewhere in the province.

A Challenge to Others

David, alumnus of New West Secondary, is a firm believer in giving back to the community in which he was raised. Now he’s hoping inspire other community-minded philanthropists to develop school meals programs in their communities.

David suggests interested potential contributors should contact their local school district to find out whether such a program exists or is needed. You don’t know until you ask!

2011 Breakfast Club Media Releases

http://district.sd40.bc.ca/services/school-meals

http://communities.canada.com/vannet/blogs/timeoutcorner/archive/2011/05/13/dave-sidoo-to-be-honoured-by-new-westminster-school-district-tuesday-morning.aspx

http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/newwestminsternewsleader/news/122519248.html

http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/local/2011/05/17/pf-18157806.html

http://www.globaltvbc.com/video/index.html?releasePID=RsKW3kOEexmHR01AvkLGCU3x_7BgDj7s