2022 Volume: Edition 9

To our Sport for Life champions,

Programming is a balancing act. While we all have to focus on embedding physical literacy and quality sport into our programming to foster development in healthy and stage-appropriate ways, we also have to consider the needs of our participants—what will keep them coming back to experience physical activity and physical literacy and enjoying it? Across sectors, we are all trying new things to keep our communities active while keeping the fundamentals embedded in what we do; the next step is to translate that knowledge across our community to continue to make the system more inclusive and enjoyable for all.

In this edition, we announce one of our keynote speakers for the 2023 Sport for Life Summit and put out the Call for Abstracts for the International Physical Literacy Conference in May 2023. We also share the work of Active Life Conditioning, where physical literacy and Long-Term Development are ingrained in their unique fitness programming for the elite to everyday participants, and highlight the significant reforms made by Soccer Quebec to encourage retention. Finally, we offer a great discount on the Stepping Stones to Indigenous Sport and Physical Activity Participation eLearning and present our new Sport for Life safe sport webpage.

Community champion and award-winning sports broadcaster to deliver keynote address at 2023 Sport for Life Summit

Sport for Life is excited to announce that Farhan Lalji, multiple-award-winning sports broadcaster with TSN, will be one of the keynote presenters for the 2023 Sport for Life Summit, which will take place in multiple communities across Canada throughout February and March. While Lalji may be best recognized from his time on TV, he has made an incredible impact at the community level through his involvement with grassroots sport, his building of community events, and his support of local initiatives. 

>>Read more

Present at the International Physical Literacy Conference 2023 New York

Sport for Life and New York Road Runners are excited to announce that after a two-year hiatus, the International Physical Literacy Conference (IPLC) is back and scheduled to take place May 1-5, 2023 in New York City! We are now calling on leaders from across the health, education and physical activity sectors to share their leading-edge work, inventive programming, best practices, research and/or findings at IPLC NY.

>>Read more

Soccer Quebec’s reform revision: From recruitment to retention 

What can you do when your programs, though rich in physical benefits, aren’t addressing the changing, holistic needs of your organization’s members? By considering kaizen, or the idea of continuous improvement, you can strive to make positive change. 

Soccer Quebec used to be a federation whose mission was closely aligned with member recruitment – which is natural for any organization trying to build up a sport they love and want to see grow. However, the federation recently realized that its mission had room for growth. Although they had steady numbers of member recruitment, their athletes were dropping out of the sport at alarming rates. This forced them to re-evaluate their vision and mission.

>>Read more

Active Life Conditioning: Programs designed on a foundation of LTD and physical literacy 

At Active Life Conditioning in Collingwood, Ontario, Long-Term Development (LTD) and physical literacy aren’t just buzzwords—both concepts are ingrained in their programs from naming to training. 

Founded in 2001, the 20-coach training centre is a space for athletes, ranging from the everyday to the elite, to achieve better health and wellness. The centre’s mission? To provide space, “for clients to improve health, wellness and physical literacy while improving performance and increasing lifelong participation in physical activity in a safe yet challenging environment.”

>>Read more

Sport for Life's safe sport webpage 

Our safe sport webpage is now in play!

The new webpage shares Sport for Life’s safe sport strategy, how we are defining safe sport, and our connections to the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport–a policy Sport for Life has proudly adopted as a program signatory of Abuse-Free Sport.

>>Learn more

eLearning feature: Stepping Stones to Indigenous Sport and Physical Literacy Participation

The Stepping Stones to Indigenous Sport and Physical Activity Participation eLearning course has been designed for coaches and sport leaders to increase your knowledge of the stages of the Indigenous Long-Term Participant Development Pathway and enhance your ability to run developmentally and holistically appropriate programs for Indigenous participants and athletes.

Get 15% off your registration with the code 853CE5. Valid until November 5, 2022.

>>Register now