Sport Manitoba prioritizes Athlete Development, Sport Culture and Value of Sport in new plan
September 30, 2020, Winnipeg MB – Sport Manitoba partners with over 100 provincial and community organizations in an effort to develop over 35,000 of Manitoba’s athletes, coaches, and officials. In order to do this, we need a plan.
The Manitoba Action Plan for Sport (MAPS) is Sport Manitoba’s long-range strategic plan. MAPS identifies the highest priority areas in amateur sport in Manitoba and drives the development of new initiatives within Sport Manitoba’s annual business plan. It addresses amateur sport’s common needs and challenges, provides direction for Sport Manitoba’s leadership, planning, and programming, and facilitates collaborative partnerships between Sport Manitoba and other key stakeholders in the development of amateur sport.
Earlier this year, Sport Manitoba began the process of developing the new MAPS for 2020-2025, which included thorough and interactive stakeholder consultations on important themes that reflect our diverse sport community. Our Sport Partners provided feedback in surveys as well as in interactive workshops that flowed directly to Sport Manitoba’s management and Board of Directors to create this five-year plan.
The MAPS priorities for 2020-2025 are:
Athlete Development
Enhancing athlete development by offering performance, education, and recognition opportunities including:
- Encouraging multi-sport participation by hosting camps and competitions to expose athletes to a variety of sports
- Promoting camps and sessions that focus on universal skill development
- Increasing regional hands-on training opportunities
- Bridging the gap between schools, clubs, and Provincial Sport Organizations to work better together to engage youth in sport
- Creating a high-performance strategy to identify, train, and support athletes along the performance pathway
- Prioritizing training, mentorship, and education for coaches and officials
- Fostering accessibility to sport for all Manitobans
Sport Culture
Providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for Manitobans to experience sport will ultimately increase sport participation and the likelihood for individuals to pursue further opportunities in sport. The key areas we can focus our efforts include:
- Striving to enable every sport participant to be free from bullying, hazing, or abuse in sport
- Promoting integrity and supporting ethical, transparent sport delivery and governance
- Continuing to advocate for gender equity in sport
- Supporting Sport Partners who host or are involved in providing Athletes with a disability/Para sport programming to Manitobans while continuing to enhance more programs and services for para athletes
- Focussing on pursuing and developing opportunities with our Sport Partners to engage New Canadians and Indigenous peoples in sport and recreation
- Ensuring an effective, transparent, and fair system to safeguard the interests of sport participants through the Dispute Resolution process
- Recruiting quality volunteers and training them to take on leadership and development roles
Value of Sport
Promoting and demonstrating the values of sport in a clear and transparent manner, in:
- Creating public messaging
- Capturing the economic impact of sport in our province
- Educating Sport Partners and their members on how revenue generated from Sport Manitoba programs and services is reinvested into the amateur sport system
- Supporting Sport Partners to improve access to existing sport facilities and their efforts in the development of new facilities
Every Manitoban should have the opportunity to play and be active with the chance to compete at the highest level of their ability. Sport Manitoba and our Sport Partners strive to achieve this every day, thanks to the priorities outlined in MAPS.
MAPS are reviewed and re-prioritized every four years by our Sport Partners, members of Sport Manitoba’s Board of Directors, Sport Manitoba senior staff, and the Province of Manitoba.
Quotes
“Long-term planning is critical to any organization and we support the effort Sport Manitoba has made to plan for the future of sport and participation of athletes and coaches. From improved health and fitness to learning and leadership, the benefits of sport are endless and we are pleased to see the development of this strategic plan in partnership with stakeholders.”
Cathy Cox, Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage
“The 2020-2025 Manitoba Action Plan for Sport reflects the values and priorities found in our growing amateur sport community. We greatly appreciate the essential input and ideas from our Sport Partners during the plan’s renewal process and are eager to continue working together to positively develop the sport experience for all Manitobans across the province.”
Jeff Hnatiuk, President & CEO, Sport Manitoba
“This plan will be a significant tool in shaping amateur sport in Manitoba. The key priorities will help provide important direction for leaders and planners at all levels to continue working toward creating the best experience and environment possible for all sport participants. On behalf of the board, I’d like to sincerely thank all those who contributed to developing the 2020-2025 Manitoba Action Plan for Sport.”
David Patsack, Chair of the Board of Directors, Sport Manitoba
“From a Provincial Sport Organization perspective, the 2020-2025 Manitoba Action Plan for Sports is an inspiring and motivational document that will guide sport programming in Manitoba for the next 5 years and beyond. We are proud to be members of a community prioritizing inclusion, accessibility and excellence in sport.”
Karin McSherry Executive Director, Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba
About
Sport Manitoba is a not-for-profit organization and the lead planning, programming and funding agency for the development of amateur sport in Manitoba. Located at 145 Pacific Avenue in Winnipeg, Sport Manitoba partners with over 100 organizations to deliver sport in the province and is responsible for programs including the Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro, Sport Manitoba Coaching, Team Manitoba, Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, Fit Kids Healthy Kids, and KidSport. Services provided include the Sport Manitoba Clinic, Sport Manitoba Performance, Sport Manitoba Fitness Centre, and the Paul Robson Resource Centre for Leadership and Coaching. -30-
For more information please contact:
Sarah Tone
Communications Coordinator
Sport Manitoba
Cell: 431-778-5796
sarah.tone@sportmanitoba.ca