Building a Stronger Canada Through Values-Based Sport

In collaboration with the Public Policy Forum, the CCES hosted The Values Proposition: Building a Stronger Canada Through Values-Based Sport. The symposium aimed to inform and inspire thinkers, doers and decision makers throughout the Canadian sport community to ensure that values-based sport and the True Sport Principles are embedded in the modus operandi of sport, from playground to podium. The final report provides a comprehensive summary of the state of values-based sport in Canada and addresses where to go from here.

Government of Canada Funds an Investigation Unit and a National Toll-Free Helpline

Today, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, announced two new important initiatives to address harassment, abuse and discrimination in sport:

• An investigation unit for national sport organizations, multisport service organizations and Canadian sport centres to call in to have access to independent investigators for alleged incidents of harassment, abuse and discrimination; and
• A national toll-free confidential helpline for victims and witnesses of harassment, abuse and discrimination in sport. The helpline can be accessed by phone or text at 1-888-83-SPORT (77678) or by email at info@abuse-free-sport.ca, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mountain Time, seven days a week.

Read the entire news release here.

Community Investment Operating Grant Review

The City of Edmonton awarded 2019 CIOG funding of $3.6 million to 294 nonprofit community organizations, including 122 sport organizations. Read the full review here.

New Resource: Coaching Kids of All Abilities

Based on research by the Canadian Disability Participation Project (CDPP), the majority of people living with a disability do not participate in sufficient sport and exercise to achieve health benefits. Further research conducted by the CDPP determined that low sport and exercise participation rates and high dropout rates are largely due to the absence of experiencing quality participation. Coaching Kids of All Abilities is a collection of online programs that teaches coaches and youth activity leaders how to create inclusive environments in order to facilitate a positive first sport and recreation experience for youth of all abilities.

Charitable Gaming Review

In early 2019, Alberta Gaming, Liquor & Cannabis (AGLC) started a review of the province's charitable gaming model. This review will help inform decisions about how the model can be updated and strengthened to ensure that Albertans and their communities benefit from charitable gaming proceeds. The first phase of the review is targeted at licensed organizations to enable AGLC to better understand the main issues important to them. It will begin in January 2019 and include an online survey along with consultation with regional stakeholder working groups throughout the province.

Canadian kids need to move more to boost their brain health

According to ParticipACTION, all kids deserve to thrive in mind and body. But in order for them to reach their full mental, emotional and intellectual potential, their bodies have to move to get the wheels in their brains turning.

While Canadian kids received a "B+" for Sleep and a  "B" for organized sport, other marks included a "D+" for Physical Literacy, a "D" in Physical Fitness, and an "F" for 24-Hour Movement Behaviours which resulted in a "D" for overall physical activity. Review the highlight report card or the full report card, and the experts' statement on Physical Activity and Brain Health in Children and Youth.

LGBTQI2S Inclusion in Sport

Much of sport is organized by sex or gender; however, not every athlete fits into or identifies with the binary of male and female. Creating welcoming, inclusive teams for the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, trans-identified, queer, intersex and two spirited community and allies is new territory for many sport organizations. Go to LGBTQI2S for quality resources.

Quality Sport

Quality sport doesn't just happen, but occurs through intentional preparation. Sport New Zealand believes that quality sport, opportunities and experiences are vital to enrich and inspire the lives of young people by creating a lifelong love of sport. To this end, they have developed a great graphic of Young People's Quality Indicators. Sport for Life identifies that quality sport and physical activity are achieved when the right people do the right thing at the right time. Their ideas are presented in a Quality Sport Checklist.  Together, these two resources enable all organizations to advance quality sport. How's your organization doing?

New Sport for Life for All Newcomers to Canada Resource

The Sport for Life Society has published the Sport for Life for All Newcomers to Canada resource, through support from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. Newcomers to Canada come with a unique inventory of sport and movement skills and, like all Canadians, require an individualized approach to enhance their own level of physical literacy through quality, stage-appropriate experiences. This resource is a guide developed for organizations, highlighting possible solutions to barriers and opportunities to support newcomers in sport and physical activity.

Automotive Insurance and Sport Organizations: Why you need to be informed

The Sport and Law Strategy Group has just released a very insightful blog regarding automobile insurance that  should be read by every sport volunteer, employee and board member. Find it @ http://ow.ly/fdXN30hetqQ

Live Active: A Collaborative Strategy for Active Living, Active Recreation, and Sport in Edmonton 2016-2026

The Live Active Strategy was developed through extensive consultations over the past 2 years including representatives from active living, active recreation, sport and multi-sector organizations, and the general public. On Tuesday November 29, Edmonton City Council approved the Strategy. The Executive Summary is available here. Live Active is built out through the 2019 - 2019 Implementation Plan. Additional information is found on the City of Edmonton's website.

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