Commonwealth Games Canada – MBABANE, SWAZILAND, March 14, 2016 – To mark Commonwealth Day, a new cohort of future sport leaders are embarking on the Sport Values 4 Life (SV4L) Leaders in Training (LIT) course which was jointly developed by the Swaziland Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (SOCGA) and Commonwealth Games Canada’s SportWORKS program. SportWORKS is a unique program integrating sports development and development through sport activities to build sports system capacity and promote community and social development throughout the Commonwealth.

SV4L is a development through sport initiative teaching children and youth, regardless of their race, age, gender, or beliefs, fundamental movement skills and the values of trust, respect, responsibility, fair play, caring, and community. These values were the cornerstone of last week’s SV4L festival attended by over 2,000 children from 10 primary schools, the largest event of its kind held in Swaziland. The LIT course empowers youth by enabling them to become community coaches and program leaders. Utilizing their training in: leadership, life-skills, coaching, physical activity, HIV/AIDS education, and sexual health, graduates run grassroots sports programs and mentor children in their villages or towns.

“We are proud that SportWORKS Officers developed this leadership program with our partners at SOCGA in 2003. We have helped the Sport Values 4 Life initiative grow ever since,” said Brian MacPherson, Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Games Canada. “Using the power of sport to engage and empower children and youth from all walks of life is a shining example of an inclusive Commonwealth.”

The SV4L project is delivered through a partnership with SOCGA, UNICEF, and the Swaziland Ministry of Education, with development and delivery support through Commonwealth Games Canada’s SportWORKS program which will span over 15 years.

“Sport brings individuals and communities together,” beamed Rachel Ivey, the tenth Canadian SportWORKS Officer sent to assist with the project. “It’s amazing to see children and youth of all ages and backgrounds welcome each other and have fun together while learning valuable life lessons.”

For over 15 years SportWORKS, Commonwealth Games Canada’s unique integration of sport development and sport for development and peace (SDP), has helped build sports system capacity and promote community and social development in 28 Commonwealth countries through over 300 projects. Commonwealth Games Canada recently partnered with Brock University’s Sport Management Program and the Queen Elizabeth Scholars initiative to deliver several multi-year projects in Africa and the Caribbean.

ABOUT COMMONWEALTH GAMES CANADA

Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canada, and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of CGC is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool. CGC builds a better Commonwealth through sport. Visit www.commonwealthgames.ca for information.

For further information:

Commonwealth Games Canada
David King
Manager, International Programs
613.244.6868 x228
david@commonwealthgames.ca