Sport for Life October Newsletter

2023 Volume: Edition 10

Dear Sport for Life champions,

Get ready! This month, we are starting to gear up for the 2024 Sport for Life Summit—mark your calendars! We also cover the growth of aquatic literacy in France, provide insights from our CEO's presentation at the Mexican Football Federation's recent conference, and share the story and tangible takeaways from COVID-19 micro-grant recipient United Albertan Paddling Society. You can also catch the second of 10 inclusive physical literacy idealizations from Memorial University!

Plus, don't miss our upcoming French Physical Literacy for Communities webinar, updated Abuse-Free Sport Helpline information, and a partner resource on active play.

Let's build a world where quality sport, physical activity and physical literacy are truly for everyone.

Save the date: 2024 Sport for Life Summit

Mark your calendars!

Join us at the 2024 Sport for Life Summit, where leaders unite to enhance quality sport and physical activity across Canada. The Summit facilitates knowledge sharing, idea generation, and open dialogue to strengthen communities and promote healthier, more active lives.

This year's theme, "Everyone Belongs," underscores our commitment to equitable access to quality sport and physical activity.

The 2024 Summit will be hosted in three locations across Canada:

Ottawa: January 25-26, 2024, Nepean Sportsplex
Victoria: March 1, 2024, Esquimalt Gorge Pavilion
Quebec City: March 20-21, 2024, Centre de Foires - Expocité

In the coming weeks, we will share information on registration and session topics. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more information!

If you have any questions at all about the event, please email Emily Rand: emily@sportforlife.ca.

Embracing “Sport for Life” in France and Europe: Diving into aquatic literacy

In today's global landscape, the significance of physical literacy is gaining traction, spearheaded by dedicated researchers and experts like those who shared their work at the International Physical Literacy Conference in May. These physical literacy champions aim to illuminate the significance of physical literacy and equip individuals with the knowledge and resources to promote engagement in lifelong movement.

Today, we dive into aquatic literacy with Léa Mekkaoui, a researcher spearheading advancements in water competence and safety in France and Europe with the Aquatic Literacy for All Children (ALFAC) consortium. Mekkaoui showcased the group's work around aquatic literacy at Sport for Life’s International Physical Literacy Conference 2023 in New York—a further step in detailing current levels of aquatic literacy in Europe, building tools to support its advancement, and sharing their methods to an international audience as the concept grows.

>>Read more

Sport for Life CEO reimagines youth football development at Mexican Football Federation conference

On September 27 to 28, 2023, in Pachuca, Mexico, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) organized a conference to adopt a new model for youth football development. Among the event speakers, Sport for Life CEO Richard Way shared a visionary approach that promises to reshape the landscape of youth football development.

Way's presentation centred on reimagining youth football development for children aged 2 to 12. He tackled a series of critical questions and delved into the qualities sought by coaches and scouts in young players...

>>Read more

United Albertan Paddling Society: Rebuilding instructor capacity post-COVID-19

In the heart of Edmonton, Alberta, the United Albertan Paddling Society (UAPS) has long been a hub for water sports enthusiasts. The club, with 140 to 200 members spanning different ages, has always been inclusive and family-friendly. They even welcome non-paddlers who joined for camping trips and to support fellow members.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, like many sports clubs, they faced challenges. Learn about those challenges and how they overcame them—in part thanks to support from Sport for Life's COVID-19 micro-grant—on our blog.

>>Read more

Abuse-Free Sport Helpline: Your confidential resource for maltreatment in Canadian sport

After four years of effective service and serving as a crucial resource, the Canadian Sport Helpline has just been rebranded as the Abuse-Free Sport Helpline.

Did you know the Abuse-Free Sport Helpline is free and available to all Canadians? If you have questions about maltreatment or discrimination in sport, professionally trained operators will:

listen and provide support;
advise you on the reporting process; and
refer you to the relevant reporting mechanism for your situation, as well as other resources.

Anonymous, confidential and bilingual, the Abuse-Free Sport Helpline is open seven days a week.

>>Learn more

Pillars to physical literacy and inclusion: Environmental compatibility between physical and social elements

Many programs have implemented physical literacy (PL) but often overlook the experiences of persons with diverse abilities due to societal, cultural, and political influences. This can lead to exclusion and marginalization from physical activities. Researchers at Memorial University have addressed this challenge by developing a PL and inclusion framework. Today, we share one of 10 evidence-based best practices from their work:

Idealization: Ensure environmental compatibility between physical (infrastructure, equipment, space) and social (attitudes and behaviours) contextual elements at an individualized level.

>>Read more

Physical literacy in the early years: Try Active Play today!

Active play in the early years is key for fostering children's physical literacy and brain development.

Launched this month, "Active Play" is an Active for Life project. Designed with parents and educators in mind, the website boasts a collection of visually engaging videos that support development and engagement in physical literacy in the early years.

>>Check out Active Play

Upcoming webinar: Discover the Centre d'amitié autochtone de Lanaudière (CAAL)

Join us for a French webinar in partnership with Réseau Accès Participation and featuring the Centre d'amitié autochtone de Lanaudière (CAAL), an organization committed to supporting Indigenous people living in or passing through Lanaudière. This webinar will be a unique opportunity to explore how sport, the outdoors and holistic intervention contribute to the well-being of Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

>>Register now