The OSEG Foundation, charitable arm of the Ottawa REDBLACKS and Ottawa 67’s, is thrilled to launch Autism Moves, a new community impact youth program designed to empower children and youth ages 6 to 17 years old with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through the power of sport.
With the recent closures of youth programs and organizations in Ottawa serving youth with autism, the OSEG Foundation has announced it will fill the gap and launch new weekly sport programs to make sport inclusive and accessible for youth with autism. The OSEG Foundation’s new program, Autism Moves, is a youth empowerment program that promotes physical activity, fundamental movement skills, and peer connection for youth with ASD through sport. With the support and guidance of trained program leaders and volunteers, youth will increase their physical activity and movement abilities, strengthen their mental health and overall well-being, and foster a stronger sense of belonging within sports.
“At the OSEG Foundation, we are proud to launch Autism Moves, a program designed to provide children and youth with autism spectrum disorder the opportunity to experience the joy and benefits of physical activity.” said Janice Barresi, Executive Director of the OSEG Foundation. “Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where every child can thrive, build confidence, and develop important life skills through sport and recreation. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that all children, regardless of their barriers, have the chance to engage, grow, and succeed through sport.”
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a prevalent developmental disorder, affecting approximately 1 in 50 individuals under the age of 17 in Canada. Due to the various challenges that individuals with autism experience, such as communication barriers, difficulty with social interaction, and decreased motor coordination, studies have found that adolescents with ASD are 74% less likely to participate in organized sports activities and that adolescents with ASD are less physically active compared with their peers. As a result, Autism Moves is beneficial and crucial to support the wellness of youth with ASD. The new community program will foster a safe, inclusive environment and create opportunities for autistic youth to participate in sport experiences, promoting sport in a positive and accessible way.
Autism Moves will host multiple seasons of sport programming throughout the year, with the first season launching on March 2nd, 2025. The program will run for a 12-week season, concluding on May 25th, 2025. The program will take place every Sunday morning, with two designated sessions each week for youth ages 6 to 12 and ages 13 to 17 years old.
The OSEG Foundation is proud to partner with local sponsors Proud to Be Me, Emond Harnden, and the RA Centre to launch the new Autism Moves program.
“Proud to Be Me is thrilled to support the launch of Autism Moves through our grants program”, said Jody McCombe, Chief Operating Officer of Proud to Be Me. “We believe in empowering initiatives that foster inclusion and create meaningful opportunities for individuals with autism to thrive. This program reflects our commitment to building supportive, diverse communities.”
Through these partnerships, the OSEG Foundation will be equipped with the necessary resources and facilities to launch the program and make a meaningful contribution to the community. Through the commitment of the OSEG Foundation and their mission of empowering youth through sport, Autism Moves will use the power of sport to strengthen the autism community, proving that sport is for everyone.
About the OSEG Foundation:
OSEG Foundation, charitable arm of the Ottawa REDBLACKS and Ottawa 67’s, leverages the power of sport to help ensure children and youth in our community reach their full potential. Their goal is to ensure all children and youth in our community have the opportunity to play, learn and develop through sports. To get involved or support Autism Moves, please visit: https://osegfoundation.ca/our-impact/autism-moves
Media contact:
Kim McLean
kmclean@oseg.ca
6132326767