Innovation Initiative
Wondering if your organization’s new program is effective? Sport Canada’s Innovation Initiative provides funding to deliver and test innovative program approaches to build the evidence base about what works to reduce the barriers to participation, increase physical literacy, support retention in sport, and achieve social goals through sport. The deadline to submit a concept is…
Athlete Mental Health
Athletes learn to hide effort and pain in the pursuit of performances that are strong, flawless, and seemingly effortless. But off the field of play, we need to create a culture where athletes struggling with injury, whether physical or mental, can ask for help. This SIRC blog provides insights and tips for athletes, support team…
Sleep Infographic
Today is World Sleep Day. Are Canadians getting enough sleep? According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, 1 in 2 adults have trouble going to sleep or staying asleep; 1 in 5 adults do not find their sleep refreshing; and 1 in 3 adults have difficulty staying awake during waking hours. Find out more…
Outdoor Play
Outdoor play is a basic childhood need, and taking risks is an essential part of play. Whether sledding down a hill, building a snow fort, or playing pond hockey, children are often happiest when playing, and this type of risky play contributes to children’s health, development and wellbeing. Unfortunately, research indicates only 37% of children play…
Life Skills Blog
Sport is often celebrated as a platform through which to develop life skills, such as communication, teamwork, and respect. Approaches to develop these skills are either implicit – where the inherent dynamics of sport provide opportunities for practicing life skills; or explicit – where intentional design provides opportunities to practice life skills. Learn more in…
Walk Score
Walking for transportation or leisure can contribute to the health of our nation. “Walk Score” is a scientifically validated method for measuring the walkability of any address based on proximity to nearby amenities and pedestrian friendliness (i.e. population density and road metrics such as block length and intersection density). Click here to check out the…
Transgender Barriers to Participation
Research from the University of Manitoba reveals a number of important issues relating to the participation of trans athletes, including a lack of awareness about current inclusion policies, uncertainty and skepticism relating to the science behind current regulations, and persisting transphobia amongst athletes, coaches and decision makers. Unfortunately, the burden of educating stakeholders and advocating…
Alberta Sleep Quality
While 71% of Albertans report meeting daily sleep recommendations, 25% rate their sleep quality as fairly bad to very bad, according to the 2019 Alberta Survey on Physical Activity. Sleep behaviour is an important determinant of health and wellbeing, with impacts on neural development, learning, memory, emotional regulation, metabolic health, and cardiovascular health.
Charlottetown Figure Skating Club
Immigration is diversifying Canadian communities, and represents an important audience for the Canadian sport and physical activity sector. This video, produced through the Government of Canada’s #ImmigrationMatters initiative, shares the story of how the Charlottetown Skating Club was revived by the enthusastic participation of the Chinese community. For tips on engaging newcomers to Canada in…
Canada Food Guide
Recommendations from the new Canada Food Guide include: Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, whole grain foods and protein foods. Choose protein foods that come from plants more often. Make water your drink of choice. Be mindful of your eating habits – healthy eating is more than the foods you eat; it is also about…