The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Tapper as the
organization’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective May 9, 2022.
Matt has also contributed to local and provincial sport in Nova Scotia where he was a part of the
coaching staff for the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship’s female Team Atlantic in 2019, helped
deliver the Nova Scotia Indigenous Girls Hockey Program, and recently acted as a member of the
executive team for Team Mi’kmaw Nova Scotia who will participate in the 2023 North American
Indigenous Games to be held in Kjipuktuk (Halifax).
“I am very excited to accept this position and to continue the ASC’s important work as a national
advocate for Indigenous opportunity in and equitable access to sport, recreation and physical activity in
Canada” commented Matt. “I look forward to being of service to our membership, building national
relationships, and supporting and developing programs, initiatives and strategies that improve the
health and wellness of Indigenous people across the country. I am hopeful the combination of my
experience at regional and national planning tables and my passion for sport will serve me well in
continuing the growth of the Aboriginal Sport Circle.”
“On the behalf of the board of directors, we are extremely excited to welcome Matt to the role of Chief
Executive Officer” said Rob Newman, President of the ASC. “His experience, ideas and approach
impressed us greatly and we look forward to supporting him as he guides the ASC forward.”
Background
The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) is a national voice for Indigenous sport, physical activity, and
recreation. Established in 1995, the Aboriginal Sport Circle was created through a national consensusbuilding process in response to the need for more accessible and equitable sport and recreation opportunities for the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Over the years, this mandate has expanded to include physical activity, wellness, and traditional practices.
The ASC is a membership-based organization. Its members, the Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport
Bodies (PTASBs), provide critical sport, recreation, physical activity and wellness programming for the
Indigenous people in their region. As a national entity, the ASC’s assets include the Aboriginal Coaching
Program, the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, the Tom Longboat Awards and the National
Indigenous Coaching Awards. Additionally, the ASC is the recognized domestic supporter for the North
American Indigenous Games. ASC and PTASB representatives currently sit on numerous regional and
national sport policy and development working groups, with the goal of affecting systemic change and
increasing Indigenous inclusion in sport, recreation and physical activity.
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MEDIA INQUIRIES:
communications@aboriginalsportcirlce.ca