[OTTAWA, May 24, 2013] – With only 7 per cent of Canadian children and youth getting enough physical activity in their day, close to $1 million in funding was announced today by the Public Health Agency of Canada for the Canadian Active After School Partnership (CAASP) – a national initiative aimed at equipping Canada’s after school providers and parents with better tools to address this concern.

“The time for change and action is now,” said Chris Jones, Executive Director and CEO of Physical and Health Education Canada. “Research shows that up to 30 per cent of physical activity for children and youth happens after school. Together, with our partners, we’re tackling the issue of inactivity head on by fostering the delivery of, and access to, quality active after school programs.”

By promoting healthy living to Canada’s population, CAASP is working to address the need for equal access for all Canadian children and youth to quality, active after school programming. Specifically, the funding announced covers four key projects:

• Reducing community barriers to active after school programs, led by Canadian Parks and Recreation Association
• Supporting mental health through active after school programs, led by Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity
• Engaging home and family to enhance access to after school programs, led by Physical and Health Education Canada and;
• Engaging aboriginal children and youth in active after school programs, led by National Association of Friendship Centres.

CAASP has established an unprecedented online hub for after school providers to access and share resources. Pilot projects have been launched across Canada in a variety of communities, targeting multiple youth populations, from aboriginals, those with a disability, and girls and young women. In addition, the partnership has gathered critical national data from parents and guardians via an online survey.

“The collaborative action among these organizations is providing a highly effective and impactful way of working together,” said Jones. “The sum of all our parts include massive networks of users, experts, experience, relevant projects and a range of additional partners. The Public Health Agency of Canada should take pride in facilitating this new and highly effective way of working together.”

The partnership is collaboration between the following organizations:

• Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada
• Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity
• Canadian Parks and Recreation Association
• National Association of Friendship Centres
• Physical and Health Education Canada

The projects announced today are funded under the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Healthy Living Fund, totaling nearly $1 million over two years.

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For more information:
Brent Gibson
Communications Manager
Physical and Health Education Canada
brent@phecanada.ca
613-400-9861

http://activeafterschool.ca/
https://twitter.com/activeafterschl

May 17th is the International Day Against Homophobia and as we look back over the past year, it is important to recognize and celebrate progress being made in making sport more welcoming to those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ).

CAAWS would like to acknowledge the continued leadership of the University of Toronto, and the work being done by Dr. Bruce Kidd in particular. Whether creating welcoming spaces on the playing fields, rinks and gyms, or in the classroom, advocating for the elimination of discriminatory gender policies internationally, or exploring ways to maximize the legacy of the 2015 Pan/Para Pan American Games in Toronto in the LGBTQ community, Dr. Kidd continues to make a difference in the lives of those in sport who are LGBTQ.  And building on the University of Toronto legacy is the important work now being done at McMaster University Athletic Dept., and started at UBC, as part of the CAAWS / Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Pilot to have conversations about and create welcoming spaces in sport for those who are LGBTQ.

And in the past two months, we have seen the courageous coming out of Brittney Griner, the No. 1 WNBA draft pick, and Jason Collins, an NBA player, both still active players in their professional sport, and the mostly positive reception their coming out has received. Kudos also to Nike for sponsoring Brittney after she came out, as well as hosting their second annual Nike LGBT Sports Summit in June 2013. The Summit, which CAAWS has been invited to attend, will bring leaders who are actively advocating for LGBT equality in sports to continue their work on a team game plan for ending homophobia and transphobia in sport that takes advantage of the best thinking and strengths of each organization.

Earlier this year, You Can Play, an organization founded after Brendan Burke’s tragic death by his brother Patrick and father Brian Burke (former Toronto Maple Leafs GM) to honour and build on the legacy of Brendan’s heroic coming out, announced partnerships with the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, the National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Players Association. Dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation, You Can Play works to raise awareness about what organizations and individuals can do to create sport where athletes are judged by other athletes, coaches and fans alike only by what they contribute to the sport or their team’s success, not their sexual orientation.

But we also know that there is work left to do before those who are LGBTQ can participate in sport fully and without fear that their sexual orientation will be an issue, or the target of hurtful jokes or derogatory language from their teammates, their coaches, or spectators. It is getting better but there is a reason why so many athletes, coaches, administrators, and health and medical practitioners continue to hide their LGBTQ sexual orientation, even in Canadian sport. And we also know the critical role coaches can play and that they too are looking for guidance on what they can be doing to lead the way. So, in partnership with Coaches of Canada and Athletes CAN, CAAWS will be developing a practical coaching resource to raise awareness about LGBTQ issues in sport and what actions coaches can take to make sport better for all, regardless of sexual orientation.

CAAWS looks forward to working with our national partners on this important resource in the months ahead. In the meantime, you can find out more about Canada’s national Step Up! Speak Out! Ally Campaign for Inclusive Sport  initiative to make sport more welcoming by encouraging athletes, coaches, officials, sport administrators, parents and fans to respect all individuals regardless of perceived or actual sexual orientation at http://www.stepupspeakout.ca/e/. More information and resources are also available at CAAWS’ Addressing Homophobia in sport website at http://www.caaws-homophobiainsport.ca/e/.

Hockey Night in Canada’s Play On! features recreational and competitive 4-on-4 street hockey tournament divisions for boys, girls, men, and women of all ages and skill levels. Anybody can play! Teams consist of 4-7 players with trophies and other great prizes awarded to the winning teams in each division.

For more information and to register a team, register as a volunteer, or register as an official for this program that will continue to help further unify the nation, Canadians of all ages and skill levels are invited to visit www.playon.ca.

Listen to our Play On! announcement on encouraging girls and women to participate and lead in sport.

The Making Healthy Connections with Racialized Communities project is designed to enhance capacity at the community, regional and provincial levels to increase healthy living opportunities for girls and young women from ethnic communities. The project was funded through the Healthy Communities Fund of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and builds on On the Move, CAAWS’ national initiative to increase opportunities for inactive girls and young women ages (9-18) to participate in sport and physical activity.

http://www.caaws.ca/onthemove/e/racialized_girls/index.htm

http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=3e32f68c55b2dcaee3ec6a934&id=e2940ddda7&e=[UNIQID

Tickets as low as $24.75 which includes a food and drink voucher.
Thursday April 18, 2013 @ 7:30p.m.

All ages of women/girls sports teams are welcome and encouraged to wear team jerseys!
Two girls hockey teams will get the “Future Sens NHL Experience” and play a game on Scotia Bank Ice before the Senators that night! Spots go quickly – get your team signed up today!

Enter the VIDEO CONTEST to win a chance to watch the Sens game in one of our Gallery Suties with Professional Female Athletes. Contest Details: submit a 30 second to 1 minute video stating the best part of being a female athlete – Why is it important for girls to be active? Creativity is encouraged! For more information contact Alison Maier, Account Manager, New Business Development, Ottawa Senators Hockey Club maiera@ottawasenators.com

Download the ticket form (.pdf)

Webinar with:

• Nancy Poole (British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health)
• Ginny Gonneau (British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health)
• Tatiana Fraser (Girls Action Foundation)
• Sydney Millar (Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity)

When: Monday, March 25th 2013 at 12:00-1:00PM (EST)

Language: English

About this webinar:

Girls Action Foundation is launching 3 new backgrounders intended to support the work of facilitators of girls’ empowerment groups, programmers and organizations working with girls and young women. The backgrounders offer current information, resources, practical tools, web-based materials and sample group activities on:

• Girls, Alcohol and Depression
• Girls, Smoking and Stress
• Girls, Physical Activity and Culture

Join in to learn more about these resources and related tools that are grounded in a study of Girls’ Perspectives on Girls’ Groups and Healthy Living (2011)
which explored promising practices in girl-centred health promotion (See English and French reports). These backgrounders were developed in collaboration
with the British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health, the Girls Action Foundation and the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity.

Special Note:  Please register by March 23rd. Once you register, you will be sent complete instructions for joining on the day, and the number to contact for support. If you have questions or would like more information contact: bccewh@cw.bc.ca

About the BCCEWH: The British Columbia Excellence for Women’s Health (BCCEWH) wishes to improve the health of women through innovative research and the development of women-centred programs, practice, and policies. We promote a women-centred approach to the health of girls and women. We partner with local community agencies, provincial initiatives, national organizations, and international agencies to conduct research and/or to exchange knowledge among community members, academic researchers, policy makers, and health care professionals.

About CAAWS: The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity is a national non-profit organization dedicated to increasing opportunities for girls and women to participate and lead in sport and physical activity in Canada. CAAWS provides leadership and education, and builds capacity to foster equitable support, diverse opportunities and positive experiences for girls and women in sport and physical activity.

Building on the Momentum of International Women’s Day, Canadian Olympic Committee and CAAWS Launch New Classroom Resource to Inspire Girls and Young Women to be active in Sport and Physical Activity through the Olympic Movement

“CAAWS is very excited to be celebrating International Women’s Day by partnering with the COC to launch the Canadian Olympic School module inspiring girls and young women to be active as well as hosting Women and Leadership workshops in Ottawa, Halifax and Vancouver,”  said Karin Lofstrom, CAAWS Executive Director.  “It is a great opportunity to have these five female Olympian role models sharing their stories with us as we continue to work to create more opportunities for girls and women to participate and lead in sport and physical activity.”

Fewer than one in twenty girls and young women currently get the recommended amount of daily physical activity, while less than one in ten boys accomplish the same.  The Canadian Olympic School Program’s latest classroom module: Give Your Everything: Get Active, includes a classroom module, a teacher’s guide and targeted articles to help parents, teachers, coaches and youth leaders help engage girls and young women, as well as boys and young men, in the tangible benefits of getting and staying active.

Give Your Everything: Get Active was drafted by educational experts in collaboration with CAAWS.

http://www.olympicschool.ca/resources/give-your-everything-get-active/

“CAAWS is very excited to celebrate International Women’s Day with our partners at COC in Ottawa, as well as hosting Women and Leadership workshops in Halifax and Vancouver,”  said Karin Lofstrom, CAAWS Executive Director.  “It is great to have women role models sharing their stories as we continue to work to create more opportunities for girls and women to participate and lead in sport and physical activity.”

HALIFAX EVENT

‘Being exposed to sport, allowed me to realize how to also build success in the workplace.” – Michelle Aucoin, Executive Director of Volleyball NS, keynote speaker.

OTTAWA EVENT

“It’s women like you who are going to change things,” said boxing Olympian Mary Spencer, gesturing around the room at those attending the luncheon.Jennifer Botterill (Hockey), Isabelle Charest (Speed Skating), Andreanne Morin (Rowing), and Rosie MacLennan (Trampoline) also spoke..

VANCOUVER EVENT

Allison McNeil, Coach of the Olympic Women’s Basketball Team and our keynote speaker, “Sometimes you have to give up the good to go for the great. On any successful team you must have great internal leadership.”

Dr. Dru Marshall coached field hockey at the University, National and International levels. She was the assistant coach of the Canadian bronze-medal 1986 World Cup team, and the 1998 and 1992 Olympic Games teams. Dr. Marshall’s extensive writing on coaching has contributed significantly to its evolution into a respected and significant component of sport in Canada. Dr. Marshall is now the Provost and Vice-President at the University of Calgary.

The induction gala will take place on May 24, 2013 at the Sheraton Red Deer, and will honour ten of Alberta’s greatest athletes, sport builders, pioneers and media personal.