1. CAAWS PROGRAMS AT A GLANCE
2. CAAWS ANNOUNCES ITS 2011 MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN LIST
3. ON THE MOVE INCENTIVE GRANTS (ONTARIO)
4. QUEBEC'S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
5. WALK IN HER SHOES 2012
6. UPCOMING CAAWS WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS
7. CELEBRATIONS

1. CAAWS PROGRAMS AT A GLANCE

Addressing Homophobia in Sport: Making Sport Better - CAAWS’ Addressing Homophobia in Sport initiative has had a great start to 2012 with four workshops in the month of January alone! The Making Sport Better workshop aims to raise awareness and educate sport leaders to better understand the issues around homophobia in sport and what they can and should be doing as organizations to make sport more welcoming.

On January 9th, the Canadian Sport Centre Pacific hosted the first workshop in Victoria BC, while the University of British Columbia hosted two on January 11th and 12th. Next up is a workshop on January 23rd with Sport 4 Ontario in Toronto, ON. To register for this workshop, visit http://sport4ontario-homophobia-in-sport.eventbrite.ca/.

For more information about CAAWS’ Addressing Homophobia Initiative and to book a workshop for your organization, visit http://www.caaws.ca/homophobia/e/index.cfm.

Moving, Mentoring and Motivating Mothers to lead a Healthy Active Lifestyle – On January 21st and 22nd in Toronto ON, CAAWS will bring together 23 keen women from across Ontario to become Mothers in Motion (MIM) Master Trainers. With funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, participants will learn about the physical activity and healthy eating experiences of mothers as well as creative solutions to address their barriers. Participants will also be trained on new MIM resources and how to facilitate a successful workshop. Trainers will then deliver MIM workshops across the province, support pilot projects in their region, and be champions for creating positive physical activity and healthy eating programs targeting mothers and their families.

Together Stronger: The Future of Sport – CAAWS has been invited to speak at the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) 5th World Conference on Women and Sport taking place in Los Angeles, California, from February 16-18, 2012. On February 17, CAAWS Executive Director, Karin Lofstrom, will join a panel discussion educating women and men on how to create successful leadership teams. On February 18, Nora Sheffe, CAAWS Women and Leadership Program Master Trainer, will deliver a workshop session on practical skills needed to be an effective leader. CAAWS Chair, Dru Marshall (Calgary AB), will also be attending along with other CAAWS Board members, Nancy Lee (Toronto ON) and Moira Lassen (Ottawa ON), who will all be wearing different hats.

2. CAAWS ANNOUNCES ITS 2011 MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN LIST

CAAWS has announced the names of the twenty women selected to the Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity List (MIW) for 2011. The objective of the list is to focus on women who are leaders and role models making a difference on the Canadian or international scene. The women on the MIW are influential women who contributed in a significant way to sport and physical activity in the year 2011.

“CAAWS publishes its Most Influential Women List to celebrate and honour Canadian women who are influencing change in their area of expertise of sport and physical activity," said CAAWS Executive Director Karin Lofstrom (Ottawa ON). “These leaders share a passion for sport and physical activity—and use it to improve the lives of others. These women are game changers who motivate others to become leaders.”

Every year, the MIW list includes athletes, officials, coaches, politicians, professors, administrators and volunteers. The final list was compiled by a CAAWS selection panel, from both public nominations and from contributions from knowledgeable sport and physical activity leaders.

Full profiles and photos of all women on the MIW List can be found at www.caaws.ca.

3. ON THE MOVE INCENTIVE GRANTS (ONTARIO)

CAAWS, with support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, is offering incentive grants to Ontario-based organizations interested in increasing physical activity and sport participation among girls and young women (ages 9-18).

Ten incentive grants of $2,000 are available. Funding can be used to cover a variety of expenses related to developing and delivering the proposed project, including staff time, instructor fees, training, facilities, equipment, transportation, child care, admission or registration fees, administration, and/or promotion and communication. Projects must comply with CAAWS’ On the Move Concept and Top 10 Success Factors. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2012. Final reports must be submitted by July 15, 2012.

To download the Grant Guidelines and Application Package, click here. The deadline for proposals is February 24, 2012. For more information contact Sydney Millar, National Program Director.

4. QUEBEC’S MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Four exceptional women in sport and physical activity were honoured at the 7th edition of the Quebec Gala Femmes d’influence en sport et en activité physique, held at the Centre Mont-Royal on December 20, 2011. Some hundred invited guests attended the special event organized by Égale Action. The evening, brilliantly hosted by Marie-Andrée Lessard, was a success in all respects.

Three (3) women out of the eight (8) finalists were named 2011 Women of Influence in the following categories:

• Regional sport - ANDRÉE TALBOT from the Centre du Québec
• Provincial\national\international sport - LISE DUBÉ-LE GUELLEC from the Laurentides region
• Physical activity - LUCIE LÉGER from the Montérégie region
• Sport recognition - SYLVIE BERNIER from the Laurentides region

This appreciation night was also the occasion to honour the exceptional work of four Quebec sport federations in implementing a project tailored for their female members: Volleyball Québec, Aviron Québec, Ringuette Québec, and Plongeon Québec. Lastly, the Gala honoured for the first time recipients of the Foundation Lola awards, created by Ms. Dominique Langelier in an effort to assist young female athletes in the Laurentides region.

For more information, visit www.egaleaction.com.

5. WALK IN HER SHOES 2012

Celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th by taking part in CARE Canada’s Walk in Her Shoes campaign. Join thousands of Canadians and challenge yourself to walk 8,000 steps a day for 8 days and raise funds to fight global poverty. In 2011, thousands of Canadians rose to the challenge and raised over $100,000 for the campaign.

Please join us this year and walk in solidarity with women and girls around the world who must walk an average of 8,000 steps a day to collect water, firewood and other basic necessities to keep their family alive. The 2012 campaign is bigger and better with the introduction of fun prizes and fundraising incentives.

To learn how you can receive a beautiful necklace made by women that have been empowered through a CARE Village Savings and Loan Association in Uganda, sign up now at care.ca/walkinhershoes.

6. UPCOMING CAAWS WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS

On the Move – Emo (ON), Kenora (ON), Ottawa (ON) and Campbell River (BC)

Newcomer On the Move – Darmouth (NS), London (ON), Winnipeg (MB) and Saskatoon (SK)

Addressing Homophobia in Sport – Toronto (ON)

For more information and details, visit CAAWS' Calendar of Events at www.caaws.ca/e/calendar/.

7. CELEBRATIONS

Canadian Freestyle Skier Jennifer Heil (Montreal QC) received the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as The Canadian Press female athlete of 2011.

Long-track speedskater Christine Nesbitt (Calgary AB) was named the Postmedia News female athlete of year for 2011.

In the Loop celebrates women’s accomplishments in the sport and physical activity community. Send career notices, changes, awards and recognitions to CAAWS c/o sparker@caaws.ca to be included in the next issue.

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