The Ottawa Sport Council is seeking two skilled, enthusiastic individuals with a passion for community sport to join our volunteer Board of Directors. 

The Ottawa Sport Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to representing sport in the nation’s capital. We strive to create and nurture sport environments that everyone can enjoy, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, culture, income-level and ability. As an advocate of sport, we work to:

•  Champion: The OSC is recognized by the City of Ottawa as a leading voice for amateur sport. We’re committed to representing the interests of community-level sport and driving policy and program improvements to advance those interests.
• Educate: The OSC is committed to providing a range of relevant and timely educational resources, including information about current best practices and targeted materials for community-level sport participation.
• Connect: The OSC is a facilitator of collaboration and partnerships amongst local amateur sport groups. We create and foster opportunities for organizations to work together, share ideas and combine resources.

OSC is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status or disability.                   

The Ottawa Sport Council operates within a Competency Governance Model. Currently we are seeking two candidates with the following skills to join our Board:

1. An individual with experience in administration in a paid or volunteer setting with strong organizational and notetaking skills to join our Board as Secretary. The Secretary ensures that the Board is well informed and that its activities are well documented for the use of Board members, and relevant government bodies. Specific to this role, the Board secretary is responsible for keeping record of Board attendance at meetings; recording all motions and decisions of meetings; and distributing copies of Board Minutes and actions to Board Members promptly after meetings.
2. An individual with strong communications and public relations experience. This individual will support and advise on the communications component of our strategic plan. Specific to this role, the communications board member is responsible for providing guidance to OSC staff or contractors on communications objectives, as required. Subject matter areas may include, but are not limited to: media relations, digital and social media, stakeholder relations, emerging issues, and special events.

In addition, all Board Members have the following responsibilities:  

• guidance and leadership to the Executive Director for implementation of strategic and operational plans;
• review of agenda and supporting materials prior to board meetings;
• approval of annual budget and audit reports;
• representation of the Ottawa Sport Council to stakeholders
• champion of the organization and of community sport 

A passion for community sport and an understanding of its importance to Ottawa is essential for both roles. The ability to communicate effectively in both official languages is a strong asset. 

Board Term:

The Board term is two years. The Ottawa Sport Council Board meets in person or by teleconference (after work hours) 4-8 times per year. 

Eligibility:

Any individual, who is eighteen (18) years of age or older, who is a resident of Canada as defined in the Income Tax Act, who has the power under law to contract, who has not been declared incapable by a court in Canada or in another country, and who does not have the status of bankrupt, may be nominated for election as a Director.

Expression of Interest:

Please send a CV plus statement of interest to Marcia Morris, Executive Director, Ottawa Sport Council by May 10, 2024.   

Under the leadership of the Ottawa Sport Council, The Belonging Playbook has been developed to help community sport organizations remove barriers to access to foster more welcoming and inclusive environments. ​This free resource hub focussing on equity, diversity, and inclusion is based on best practices with the goal of ensuring that all feel welcome in community sport. The resource hub is a living document. Content will be added as new information and resources become available.

The Belonging Playbook offers easy to use and digestible resources in a variety of formats. Resources include an inclusive language guide and registration process, a cultural calendar, expertise on how to build meaningful community partnerships, and so much more. These resources fall within three categories:

• Promoting Diversity: Promoting diversity among community sport organizations is about welcoming participants of all identities and lived experiences.
• Fostering Inclusion: Fostering inclusion among community sport organizations is about ensuring the sport experience is welcoming to all participants, regardless of their identities.
• Removing Barriers to Participation: Removing barriers to participation among community sport organizations is about acknowledging that our sport system is not designed for all participants, but action can be taken to enable a positive sport experience for all participants.

Visit  The Belonging Playbook

With valuable input from our community sport members, the Ottawa Sport Council began a journey to help our sector create more inclusive and welcoming environments. A virtual panel discussion on EDI was hosted in October 2021, and led to the eventual 2022 Ottawa Sport Summit, titled “Creating Diverse and Inclusive Sport Environments”. This summit was the first step in the development of The Belonging Playbook.

The Belonging Playbook is powered by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and developed with expertise from INclusion INcorporated. Thanks also to the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association for their support in the development of this resource.

For further information, please contact us.

The Ottawa Sport Council is pleased to announce the hiring of its new project manager, Luke McGrath.

McGrath joins the OSC as a recent graduate of the Sport Business Management Graduate Certificate program at Algonquin College. He brings experience in both sport and communications to the OSC, having previously worked as a radio news reporter at CKRW in Whitehorse, Yukon, while having also run a junior golf program at Mountain View Golf Club.

McGrath will take on the role of researching, developing, and executing multiple projects for the OSC. He will also manage the external communications activity for the OSC, including developing content for the OSC website and social media channels.

The Ottawa Sport Council is hosting its ninth annual Ottawa Sport Summit, “The Past, Present, and Future of Community Sport in Ottawa,” on Saturday, November 18, at the RA Centre (Clark Hall). As the event approaches, it’s a great time to reflect on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in sport, both presently and in the future. AI is already playing a pivotal role in changing the way we experience and consume sports. It has been making inroads into various industries and sectors, including sports, for several decades. To learn more about this topic and similar factors that can influence the future of sport, register for the Ottawa Sport Summit before November 16.

According to Infront Sport, AI dates back to the 1950s, when researchers began to test whether machines could mimic human intelligence. Since then, simple rule-based models have evolved into expert systems and machine learning. The rapid development of these systems in the last few years has seen an increase in usage to enhance sport for all.

AI is transforming the sport industry in many ways. It is making the training process competitive and more efficient. It is also helping to analyze and predict athletes’ performance. Here are some of the most exciting AI use cases in sport:

1. AI Referees: In many sports, referees have to make decisions about goals based on little information. With an AI referee, big decisions that can change the outcome of a game can be judged more accurately. By using this technology, the sport industry makes sport events fairer, more rule-abiding, and brings more objectivity to the decisions of the referees.
2. Player Performance Analysis: AI can be used to analyze large amounts of data to identify patterns and trends. This information can be used to improve player performance, make strategic decisions, and better understand the game.
3. Virtual Reality Training: AI can be used to create virtual reality environments that can be used for training and player development.
4. Automated Sports Journalism: AI can be used to create automated sports journalism that can provide real-time updates on games and events.

While the benefits of AI in sport are significant, there are also challenges and ethical considerations to address. Privacy concerns, data security, and the potential for biased algorithms are among the key challenges that need to be addressed to ensure responsible and fair use of AI in sports.

Despite these challenges, there are many ways stakeholders can make AI work for them without losing the human touch. The impact AI is having on the sport industry beyond technology is clear: it’s transforming how we experience sports.

One of the potential future developments is the use of virtual and augmented reality technology. According to the Mastercard Sport Economy Index 2023, over a quarter of European sport fans have already experienced sport via VR . That report states that “VR also looks set to form a key part of the stadium of the future, with 21% of fans hoping to experience immersive technology that demonstrates what it feels like to be an athlete on matchday.”

In community sport environments, there are many potential applications for AI that could help improve player performance while also making it more accessible for everyone involved.

1. Injury Prevention: One potential application for AI in community sport environments is injury prevention. By analyzing data from wearable devices such as smartwatches or fitness trackers, coaches can identify patterns that may indicate an increased risk of injury. This information can then be used to adjust training programs or provide additional support where needed.
2. Customized Training Programs: Another potential application for AI in community sport environments is customized training programs. By analyzing data from wearable devices or other sources such as video footage or biometric data, coaches can create customized training programs tailored to each athlete’s specific needs.
3. Improved Scouting: AI can also be used to improve scouting by analyzing data from games or practices. This information can then be used by coaches or scouts to identify potential recruits or areas where players need additional support.
4. Fan Engagement: Finally, AI can be used to improve fan engagement by providing real-time updates on games or events. This could include everything from live scores and statistics to social media updates or interactive experiences.

In summary, AI has many potential applications in community sport environments. While there are challenges and ethical considerations that need addressing before we can fully realize its potential, it’s clear that AI will continue transforming how we experience sports. To learn more on this AI capabilities in sport, check out some of the resources below:

• “Does AI spoil the naturalness of sports?” – Dataconomy is an organization that provides news, insights, and analysis on data science, big data, and artificial intelligence. They have an article that provides examples of how AI is being used in sports.
• “Decoding the Ethics of AI in Sports: Fairness, Performance, and Integrity” – TS2 Space discusses the ethics of AI in sports and how it can be used to level the playing field for everyone.
• “3 artificial intelligence tools that can aid sport organizations’ communications efforts” – this article by the SIRC discusses how artificial intelligence tools can help sport organizations.
• “The AI revolution in Sports” – this article by the Peak discusses the AI revolution in sports and how it is transforming the industry.

Mental health is a state of well-being in which a person can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to their community. Mental health is influenced by various factors, such as biological, psychological, social, environmental, and cultural ones. Mental health is not a fixed or static condition, but rather a dynamic and fluctuating one that can change over time and across different situations.

Sport is one of the most popular and influential aspects of society, with millions of people participating in various forms of physical activity, recreation, and competition. According to Sport for Life, sport can have many positive effects on mental health, such as enhancing mood, self-esteem, confidence, resilience, social skills, and physical health. Sport can also provide a sense of belonging, identity, purpose, and achievement (Source?).

However, sport can also pose some challenges and risks for mental health, especially for athletes who face high levels of pressure, expectations, and demands from themselves and others. Athletes may experience stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, eating disorders, substance abuse, or other mental health issues that can affect their performance, well-being, and quality of life. Athletes may also encounter discrimination, harassment, abuse, or violence based on their gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or other characteristics.

Safe spaces are environments where people feel comfortable, respected, valued, and supported to express themselves without fear of judgment or harm. Safe spaces are essential for promoting mental health and well-being in sport settings. Safe spaces can help athletes to:

• Feel accepted and appreciated for who they are: This means that athletes are not discriminated against or excluded based on their gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic. Athletes are also encouraged to celebrate their diversity and uniqueness, and to respect the diversity and uniqueness of others. A resource that can help create a more inclusive and equitable sport environment is the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s guide.
• Share their thoughts and feelings openly and honestly: This means that athletes have opportunities to communicate with their teammates, coaches, officials, staff, and fans in a respectful and constructive way. Athletes are also able to express their emotions, concerns, and opinions without fear of retaliation or ridicule. A resource that can help foster effective and empathetic communication in sport is this Coaches Association of Saskatchewan’s article.
• Seek and receive help when they need it: This means that athletes have access to mental health services and supports that are appropriate for their needs and preferences. Athletes are also able to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health issues or disorders, and to seek help without stigma or shame. A resource that can help your organization increase mental health awareness and literacy in sport is the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport website.
• Access training and resources on mental health and sport: This means that athletes have opportunities to learn about the foundations, impacts, and strategies of mental health in sport settings. Athletes are also able to access resources and events that can help them overcome stigma and guide conversations about mental health. A resource that can help provide training and resources on mental health and sport is the CAC’s “Mental Health and Sport Resource Hub and Events”.
• Build trust and rapport with their teammates, coaches, officials, staff, and fans: This means that athletes have positive relationships with others in sport that are based on mutual respect, honesty, and support. Athletes are also able to collaborate with others in sport to achieve common goals, solve problems, and have fun. A resource that can help strengthen trust and rapport in sport is the Responsible Coaching Movement.
• Enjoy and have fun in sport: This means that athletes have opportunities to participate in sport activities that are enjoyable, meaningful, and fulfilling for them. Athletes are also able to balance their sport involvement with other aspects of their life, such as family, friends, school, work, and hobbies. A resource that can help foster enjoyment and fun in sport is the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit.

Creating safe spaces in sport requires the collective effort and commitment of all stakeholders involved in sport delivery and governance. Some of the strategies for creating safe spaces in sport are:

• Developing a mental health policy that outlines the vision, goals, objectives, and actions of the organization to support mental health and well-being in sport. The policy should include clear definitions of mental health and its determinants, procedures for identifying and responding to mental health issues or concerns, resources and referrals for mental health services or supports, and evaluation and monitoring mechanisms for the policy implementation.
• Providing training and education for coaches, officials, staff, volunteers, and athletes on mental health awareness and literacy. The training should cover topics such as the signs and symptoms of mental health issues or disorders, the risk factors and protective factors for mental health issues or disorders, the stigma and myths associated with mental health issues or disorders, the strategies for preventing or managing mental health issues or disorders, the skills for communicating effectively and empathetically with people who have mental health issues or disorders, and the resources and support available for mental health issues or disorders.
• Creating a culture of respect and inclusion in sport that values diversity and celebrates differences. The culture should foster a positive climate where everyone feels welcome, safe, and comfortable to be themselves. The culture should also encourage dialogue, feedback, and collaboration among all members of the sport community. The culture should also challenge stereotypes, prejudices, and biases that may lead to discrimination, harassment, or violence in sport.
• Engaging with community partners and stakeholders who are working towards mental health promotion and prevention in sport. These partners could include local schools, community organizations, media outlets, sponsors, government agencies, or other sport organizations. The engagement could involve sharing information or resources, collaborating on projects or events, supporting each other’s efforts, or advocating for change.

To set the foundation to building a safe, welcoming, and inclusive sport environment we encourage you to utilize the 16 free policy templates found in the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit.

Mental health is a vital aspect of human development and well-being that deserves attention and care in sport settings. By acknowledging mental health issues or concerns and advocating for safe spaces in sport environments, we can create a more positive, healthy, and enjoyable sport experience for everyone involved.

Social media is an essential tool for community sport organizations to reach and engage with their audience. With the right strategies and tactics, social media can help organizations maximize their reach and impact by connecting with their audience and promoting their activities and events online. However, it is important to keep in mind that social media is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Different platforms have different audiences and require different strategies to be effective. In this blog post, we will discuss some key concepts that community sport organizations should keep in mind when using social media.

Maximize video content on all platforms
Video content is one of the most effective ways to engage with your audience on social media. It is more engaging than text or images alone and can help you convey your message more effectively. You can use video content to showcase your organization’s activities, events, and achievements. You can also use video content to educate your audience about your organization’s mission and values.

To learn more about how to create effective video content for social media, check out this resource from Hootsuite here.

Share on social media consistently
Consistency is key when it comes to social media. You should aim to post regularly on all your social media platforms. This will help you stay top of mind with your audience and keep them engaged with your organization. However, it is important to note that engagement rates may vary from post to post. Do not be discouraged by low engagement rates. Instead, focus on creating high-quality content that resonates with your audience.

To learn more about how to create a consistent social media strategy for your organization, check out this resource from Sprout Social here.

Do not overcomplicate your content
When it comes to social media content, simplicity is key. Do not overcomplicate your content by using jargon or technical terms that your audience may not understand. Instead, focus on creating organic content that is easy to understand and relatable to your audience.

To learn more about how to create effective organic content for social media, check out this resource from Hubspot here.

Use Canva to help you design and schedule content
Canva is a great tool for non-profits that want to create high-quality graphics for their social media platforms. It is easy to use and has a wide range of templates that you can customize according to your needs. You can also use Canva to schedule your social media posts in advance.

To learn more about how to use Canva effectively for your organization’s social media platforms, check out this resource from Canva here.

Use free stock image websites when necessary
Stock images are a great way to add visual interest to your social media posts. However, it is important to use high-quality images that are relevant to your organization’s mission and values. You can use free stock image websites like Pexels or Pixabay to find high-quality images that are free for commercial use.

To learn more about how to find high-quality stock images for your organization’s social media platforms, check out this resource from GlobalOwls here.

Relevant Resources

●      OSC Blog – Communications 101 in Community Sport – The Ottawa Sport Council (OSC) has a wealth of resources available for community sport organizations. This OSC blog on Communications 101 is a great resource for organizations looking for tips and advice on how to improve their communication strategies.

●      Good Sports Social Media ToolKit – The Good Sports Social Media Toolkit is a great resource that provides community sport organizations with practical tools and resources for using social media effectively. It includes topics like why your club should use social media, reaching communities on social media, growing your online community, and reaching wider audiences.

●      Sport Northern Ireland’s Social Media Toolkit – The Sport NI Social Media Toolkit is a resource that provides step-by-step instructions on how to start your organization’s social media accounts. It includes information on how to set up business accounts on social media platforms, gives tips on creating video content, and more.

●      Hootsuite Blog – The Hootsuite blog provides social media tips and best practices for businesses and organizations. It covers a wide range of topics such as social media marketing, social media advertising, social media analytics, and more. The blog is updated regularly with new content and insights from industry experts.

Want assistance getting more connected in the online sport community? The Ottawa Sport Council is here to help in any way we can. Contact us on our website or on one of our social media channels to let us know your message to community sport.

The Ottawa Sport Council is pleased to announce its ninth annual Ottawa Sport Summit, The Past, Present, and Future of Community Sport in Ottawa, on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the RA Centre (Clark Hall).

In 2023, the Ottawa Sport Council is celebrating its 10^th anniversary. In reflecting on the 10 years, we recognize that community sport in Ottawa has experienced a significant amount of change, yet some challenges are ever-present. In looking at the 2008 True Sport Report: What Sport Can Do and the Power of Sport: The True Sport Report 2022, here’s what we can see about the community sport sector:

• The percentage of volunteer time spent by Canadians in the sport sector has declined nearly 9%, indicating that the volunteer pool for sport organizations is shrinking.
• Minimal government funding continues to create financial challenges for community sport; however, it is reported that 84% of Canadians believed that it was important for the government to provide funding to community sport.
• Barriers to access community sport persist for equity-deserving groups, however the research base supporting inclusive sport has expanded significantly (as reported in the Power of Sport: The True Sport Report 2022).
• Overall sport participation among Canadians has increased since 2008, with the most notable increase being among girls and women (more than 3% increase).

Despite the ongoing challenges, many that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains true that more than 90% of Canadians continue to believe that sport has the power to be a positive influence for youth, contributes to good health, and can strengthen communities.

We invite you to join us for our sport summit, The Past, Present, and Future of Community Sport in Ottawa, on Saturday, November 18, 2023, where we will reflect on community sport and the Ottawa Sport Council over the last 10 years, discuss the current state of community sport in Ottawa, and dive into the future with innovative minds.

As always, one of the Sport Summit’s goals will be to create dialogue between attendees. In addition to creating space for reflection and future innovation, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with peers and learn from the experiences of others.

Event Details
This is a free event. We do ask participants to consider making a minimum $35 donation to the Ottawa Sport Council Foundation. The Ottawa Sport Council Foundation has been created to provide sporting organizations with grants to improve inclusion in sport. Tax receipts will be provided.

More details and registration information will be made available in October. We hope you will join us for this valuable opportunity.

Date: Saturday, November 18, 2023, from 8:30 to 13:00 

Location:
RA Centre, Clark Hall
2451 Riverside Dr., Ottawa, ON K1H 7X7

The Capital Pride Festival is an annual celebration of the diversity and inclusion of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Ottawa. The festival features various events, activities, and performances that showcase the pride and culture of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This year, the festival will take place from August 19th to 27th, and there are many ways you can get involved and support the festival. Learn more about the Capital Pride Festival here.

There are several community sport organizations in Ottawa whose purpose is to create safe and welcoming environments for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. These organizations offer opportunities to access sport to those who haven’t always felt safe or welcome in traditional sport environments. Many of these organizations are participating in the Capital Pride Festival, and here’s where you can find them:

Gay Ottawa Volleyball
Be on the lookout for Gay Ottawa Volleyball (GOV) during the Capital Pride Festival! GOV is a volunteer-run group that provides a fun, inclusive, and social environment for 2SLGBTQIA+ volleyball players of all skill levels. GOV will be marching loud and proud in the Capital Pride Parade on Sunday, August 27^th, so be sure to give them a wave! You can also learn more about GOV, their leagues, tournaments, drop-ins, and social events on their website.

Learn more about GOV here.

Rainbow Rockers Curling
One of the ways you can participate in the festival is by joining the Rainbow Rockers, Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQIA+ curling league. The Rainbow Rockers will have a booth on Bank Street at Slater for pride and will be having the inflatable curling rink again! You can visit their booth from 12-5 pm on August 26th and 27th and try your hand at curling on a fun and safe surface. You can also learn more about the Rainbow Rockers, their history, their events, and how to join them on their website.

Learn more about the Rainbow Rockers here.

Ottawa Front Runners
Another way you can get involved in the festival is by running or walking with the Ottawa Front Runners (OFR), a running and walking club for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and their allies. OFR is hosting an open run and walk event on Tuesday, August 22^nd at 6:30PM  and a women-only run and walk on Friday, August 25^th at 6:00PM. You can join them for a friendly and social exercise and meet new people who share your passion for running or walking.

OFR will also participate in the National Capital Pride Run (NCPR) on Saturday, August 26^th, as runners, walkers, and volunteers. The NCPR is a charity run that supports local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations. You can register for the NCPR on their website. Finally, OFR will be staffing a table on Sunday, August 27^th, during the Capital Pride Community Fair.

Learn more about the OFR here.

Ottawa Queer Softball League
If softball is your sport of choice, look for the Ottawa Queer Softball League in the Capital Pride Parade. This year marks the 15^th year of the OQSL, which is an inclusive recreational softball league for 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and allies, that aims to refine the skills of its members in a fun, safe & social environment.

OQSL is also host to the annual charity softball event Drag and Balls. This event is jam packed with drag softball, a DJ spinning the hits, and beverage and food concessions. Drag and Balls supports the Bruce House, an organization that brings hope, housing and support to individuals and families impacted by HIV in Ottawa and area. You can learn more about how to be a part of the Drag and Balls event here.

Learn more about OQSL here.

Rideau Speedeaus
Grab your suits and get involved with the Rideau Speedeaus during the Capital Pride Festival! The Rideau Speedeaus is primarily a gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer and two-spirited swim club, but welcomes everyone including members from the straight community. We value swimming in an inclusive, diverse, fun, open, trustful, safe, and supportive environment. During the Capital Pride Festival, the Speedeaus are hosting two free pride swims on August 22^nd and 24^th at the YMCA on Argyle Avenue. You can register for a free pride swim here.

The Rideau Speedeaus are also host to the SwimEAUthon – Pride Edition. Come out to the General Burns outdoor pool on Saturday, August 26^th to help raise money for Capital Rainbow Refuge and le Bureau regional d’action SIDA (BRAS)! This 1500-yard swim will be followed by a picnic in the park to help celebrate with pride!

Learn more about the Rideau Speedeaus here.

Queer Bike Club Ottawa
Another way you can get involved in the festival is by cycling with Queer Bike Club Ottawa (QBC), a group that organizes bike rides for 2SLGBTQIA+ people and allies in Ottawa. QBC is planning on doing a bike ride before the Capital Pride Parade on Sunday, August 27th. You can join them for a scenic and fun ride around the city and meet other cyclists who share your interest in biking. You can also learn more about QBC, their upcoming rides, and how to join them at their Facebook page.

Learn more about QBC here.

Ottawa Wolves Rugby Football Club
Will you join the pack? The Ottawa Wolves Rugby Football Club aims to promote and encourage participation in rugby among those who have traditionally been under-represented in the game. The team members are predominantly part of the LGBTQA community, but diverse in its make-up, and inclusive of everyone. Check out the Wolves during the Capital Pride festival and be on the lookout for their signature rainbow rugby ball!

Learn more about the Wolves here.

Ottawa Pride Hockey
Ottawa Pride Hockey is a 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive group welcoming beginners and seasoned pros to the hockey rink! OPH is led by gender diverse people, and they strive to promote a safe space for everyone. Be sure to wave and say hi to Ottawa Pride Hockey as they participate in the Capital Pride Festival.

Learn more about Ottawa Pride Hockey here.

These are just some of the ways you can get involved with the 2023 Capital Pride Festival in Ottawa. There are many more events and opportunities to celebrate and support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Ottawa. You can check out the official website of the Capital Pride Festival for more information and updates. We hope you have a wonderful time at the festival!

If you have an event at the festival that you want to be promoted by the Ottawa Sport Council, please contact us on our website or social media. We would love to hear from you and help you spread the word about your event.

Contact us here.

Racism is a serious and pervasive problem that affects many aspects of society, including sport. Racism can manifest in various forms, such as discrimination, harassment, exclusion, stereotyping, and violence. Racism can negatively impact the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of athletes, coaches, officials, staff, and fans. Racism can also limit the opportunities and potential of individuals and groups who are racialized or marginalized in sport.

Anti-racist education is a vital component of creating a more inclusive and equitable sport environment. Anti-racist education is the active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices, and attitudes, so that power is redistributed and shared equitably. Anti-racist education helps learners to understand the harmful consequences of racism and encourages them to actively challenge it wherever it occurs. It helps to ensure that the learning environment is an inclusive one, without racial inequality or racism.

There are many resources and strategies for implementing anti-racist education in community sport settings. Some of them are:

• Developing an anti-racism policy that explicitly states the commitment and expectations of the organization to prevent and address racism in sport. The policy should include clear definitions of racism and its forms, procedures for reporting and responding to incidents of racism, sanctions for perpetrators of racism, and support for victims of racism.
• Providing training and education for coaches, officials, staff, volunteers, and athletes on anti-racism and cultural diversity. The training should cover topics such as the history and impact of racism in sport, the experiences, and perspectives of racialized and marginalized groups in sport, the concepts and principles of anti-racism and inclusion, the skills and strategies for challenging racism and promoting equity in sport, and the resources and support available for anti-racism initiatives.
• Creating a safe and respectful space for dialogue and reflection on issues of racism and inclusion in sport. The dialogue should be facilitated by someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in anti-racism education and should involve participants from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The dialogue should aim to raise awareness, foster understanding, build trust, share experiences, identify challenges, explore solutions, and inspire action.
• Engaging with community partners and stakeholders who are working towards anti-racism and inclusion in sport. These partners could include local schools, community organizations, media outlets, sponsors, government agencies, or other sport organizations. The engagement could involve collaborating on projects or events, sharing information or resources, supporting each other’s efforts, or advocating for change.

To set the foundation to building a safe, welcoming, and inclusive sport environment we encourage you to utilize the 16 free policy templates found in the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit.

Athletes have a unique role and responsibility in promoting racial equity and challenging racism in sport. Athletes have a powerful voice and influence that can reach millions of people across different backgrounds and generations. Athletes have a personal experience and perspective that can shed light on the realities and challenges of racism and discrimination in sport. Athletes have a collective strength and solidarity that can inspire action and create change in sport. There are many resources and guidance for athletes and other stakeholders on how to address racism and be effective allies in sport. Some of them are:

• The Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC), which provides a collection of key terms, educational resources, and organizations related to anti-racism in sport. The collection covers topics such as allyship, unconscious bias, institutional racism, individual racism, etc.
• The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CRRF), which is a federal crown corporation dedicated to eliminating racism and promoting harmonious race relations in Canada. The CRRF provides various programs and resources that aim to educate, inform, and engage Canadians on issues of racism and discrimination. The CRRF also hosts webinars, workshops, conferences, and awards that celebrate diversity and inclusion in Canada.
• The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) Responsible Coaching Movement (RCM) is a campaign that aims to create a safe, smart, and secure sport environment for all participants and coaches. The campaign invites all sport organizations, parents, and coaches to learn and apply consistent safety principles. The RCM also offers a toolkit to help sport organizations promote the movement and raise awareness with other organizations within their network.
• The Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) website offers various resources related to anti-racism and sport. These resources are a part of the Safe Sport Resource Hub, which aims to provide information and guidance on how to create a safe and respectful sport environment for all. On their website you can find a Team Canada Anti-Racism Statement, educational resources, athlete resources, and coach resources.

Sport can be a powerful tool for social change, but they can also be a site of racial inequality and injustice. By advancing anti-racist education and empowering athletes to address racism in sport, we can create a more inclusive and equitable sport environment for everyone.

Sport participation plays a crucial role in fostering physical and mental well-being, building communities, and promoting inclusivity and diversity. As the Ottawa Sport Council continues to prioritize safe sport and the values of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB), it is essential to explore new ways to increase sport participation through positive and engaging ways. By embracing innovative strategies and leveraging reputable sources, we can work towards creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and empowered to engage in sports. Read below for ideas on how your organization can increase sport participation:

Embracing Digital Platforms

In today’s digital age, leveraging technology is a powerful way to engage individuals and expand sport participation. One way to do this is ensuring your organization is utilizing social media platforms or a website that answers key questions potential participants may have. Participants often look online for local activities, so a presence online can be very helpful to increase participation. Online platforms can also provide resources, training modules, and virtual sport experiences, enabling individuals to engage with sports from the comfort of their homes. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital solutions, and incorporating these tools into sport programming can enhance accessibility and reach broader audiences.

To increase sport participation, your organization can develop an online portal that offers instructional videos, interactive sport quizzes, and virtual competitions. These initiatives can be designed to cater to various age groups and skill levels, promoting engagement and skill development.

To learn more about the benefits of this approach, click here.

Promoting Inclusive Coaching Practices

Coaches play a vital role in creating safe and inclusive sport environments. To support coaches in fostering EDIB values and ensuring equitable experiences for all participants, education and training programs are essential. Providing coaches with the knowledge and tools to address unconscious biases, promote diversity, and accommodate individual needs contributes to a more inclusive and welcoming sport culture.

There are numerous resources out there to ensure your organization is promoting inclusive coaching practices. One of these resources is the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit. This free toolkit offers various checklists, videos, and tips on training requirements to help everyone in your organization contribute to a welcoming atmosphere.

Access the full toolkit here.

Collaborating with Community Organizations

Partnerships with community organizations can greatly enhance sport participation rates by reaching individuals who may not traditionally engage in organized sports. Collaboration can involve working with youth clubs, schools, cultural associations, and social service agencies to co-create initiatives that align with their needs and values.

For instance, your organization can establish collaborations with organizations like Active Newcomer Youth Ottawa to develop sport programs for newcomers. By incorporating cultural elements and considering the unique experiences of immigrants and refugees, these initiatives foster a sense of belonging and help newcomers integrate into Canadian society through sport.

Learn more about inclusion for newcomers here.

Supporting Youth Engagement

Engaging youth in sports is crucial for long-term participation and the development of healthy habits. To encourage youth involvement, sport organizations can focus on creating inclusive and appealing programs that reflect their interests and needs. This can be achieved by involving young people in the decision-making process and allowing them to have a voice in shaping their sport experiences.

It is important to remember that parents and guardians play a very important role in encouraging youth to engage with sport. Reports of verbal and/or physical altercations by parents or guardians have unfortunately become common in community sport. These incidents are embarrassing and stressful for young athletes, and can discourage them from a lifelong participation in sport.  By encouraging these stakeholders to contribute to a sport environment that values the input of its participants, and focuses on positive sport experiences instead of just competition and prestige, young individuals can feel like valued members of their community.

To learn more about creating positive youth sport experiences, click here.

Emphasizing Fun and Recreation

To increase sport participation, it is important to emphasize the enjoyment and recreational aspects of sports. By shifting the focus from competition to fun and personal growth, sport organizations can attract individuals who may feel intimidated by the competitive nature of traditional sports.

Your organization can collaborate with local recreation centres and community organizations to develop recreational sport programs that prioritize fun, skill-building, and social interaction. These programs can be designed to be inclusive and adaptable, catering to different abilities and interests. By promoting a positive and welcoming sport environment, individuals of all backgrounds can feel encouraged to participate.

For more helpful resources on sport participation, check out these links:

• OSC Blog “Inclusion for participants with a disability”
• OSC Blog “What is Physical Literacy?”
• SIRC’s “Increasing Sport Participation among members of Underrepresented Groups”
• JerseyWatch’s Blog on “How to Increase Youth Sports Participation in your Community”
• How Can We Encourage Youth To Participate In Sport?

OTTAWA (July 13, 2023) – The Ottawa Sport Council Foundation is thrilled to announce that Gay Ottawa Volleyball and Nepean Nighthawks Field Hockey have been selected as the recipients of the 2023 Community Opportunity Grant. These organizations have been awarded $2,000 by Their Opportunity to support children and youth who face socio-economic barriers to participation in sport and underrepresented and marginalized populations.

Gay Ottawa Volleyball’s 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Volleyball program will create programming where 2SLGBTQ+ youth can make friends and feel safe among their peers while learning and playing volleyball. GOV will work with its 2SLGBTQ+ youth-serving partners, including Ten Oaks Project and Ottawa Youth Services Bureau, to recruit participants that may not have access to safe spaces in sport. The program will include skills development sessions, game time, as well as social opportunities to foster community building.

“We recognize the opportunity to increase safe and inclusive sports spaces in Ottawa for youth and want to be a part of the solution to foster new ones. We are so appreciative of the support from Their Opportunity and our friends at the Ottawa Sport Council for helping to make this possible,” said Gay Ottawa Volleyball’s President, David Muddiman.

Nepean Nighthawks Field Hockey’s Stick Together program provides barrier-free access to field hockey for Indigenous youth, aged 8-14, in the Ottawa region. The program includes various activities designed to introduce participants to the sport, foster their skill development, and promote a sense of belonging. Nepean Nighthawks will provide free registration, equipment, and transportation for participants in the program.

“Through the Stick Together Program, the Nepean Nighthawks aim to support the physical, social, and emotional well-being of Indigenous youth, while also addressing the truth and reconciliation efforts outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. The Nighthawks have successfully run the Stick Together program for two seasons and will continue for the 2023-2024 winter season at Carleton University,” added Halley Chopra, President of the Nepean Nighthawks Field Hockey Club.

Marcia Morris, Executive Director of the Ottawa Sport Council, said, “While the Ottawa Sport Council believes that community sport should be available to everyone, we recognize that many people face barriers to participation. The Ottawa Sport Council Foundation: 2023 Community Opportunity Grant supports programs which provide inclusivity and breaks down these barriers. We are delighted to support the programs offered by the Nepean Nighthawks Field Hockey Club and Gay Ottawa Volleyball, which offer inclusive programming for underrepresented and marginalized populations.”

The Ottawa Sport Council Foundation’s 2023 Community Opportunity Grant was established in partnership with Their Opportunity and the Ottawa Community Foundation. The Ottawa Sport Council believes that there should only be positive experiences in sport. Their Opportunity is a national children’s charity that delivers and subsidizes community sport and engagement programming to eliminate barriers of access and empower youth to reach their full potential through sport.

“Their Opportunity is passionate about sport and community development and this community grant aims to provide inclusivity and break down barriers to participation in the City of Ottawa,” said Randy Gill, CEO and President of Their Opportunity.

About the Ottawa Sport Council
As the unified voice of amateur sport in Ottawa, the Ottawa Sport Council (OSC) facilitates advocacy and growth for all community sport organizations.
We believe that there should only be positive experiences in sport.

About Their Opportunity
Their Opportunity is a national registered children’s charity that has the vision to educate, uplift & support children to overcome barriers through the strength of sport & generosity. Since inception, we have helped provide opportunities for over 45,000 children & affected thousands more through our Giveback Program; translating to 585,000+ hours of sport & recreation and 157,500+ hours of community service or engagement.

Their Opportunity hosts a unique Giveback Program where children who receive subsidies or participate in one of our core programs are asked to “pay it forward” within their community through volunteerism. We believe in creating a cycle of generosity, where active youth are empowered to give back to help build healthier communities. 

For more information please contact:
Marcia Morris, P. Eng
Executive Director, directrice générale
Conseil du sport d’Ottawa Sport Council

June is an important month for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as it is widely recognized as Pride Month. It is a time to celebrate diversity, promote inclusivity, and advocate for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. In the realm of sport, Pride Month serves as an opportunity to reflect on the progress made towards 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion and to acknowledge the ongoing work needed to create safe and welcoming environments for all sport participants and volunteers. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of Pride Month in sport and highlight initiatives promoting 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusivity.

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusivity in sport. Sport organizations across the country have been actively working towards creating an environment where 2SLGBTQIA+ athletes can feel supported and accepted. Furthermore, various national and local sport organizations have introduced initiatives such as 2SLGBTQIA+ sports leagues, inclusive sports events, and educational programs.

One notable program is the Ottawa Pride Hockey, which aims to eliminate 2SLGBTQIA+ discrimination in sports and provide all their participants the chance to play hockey in a safe and inclusive environment. The program focuses on promoting 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion by fostering acceptance and respect for all participants, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It has gained significant support from athletes, coaches, and sports organizations throughout the Ottawa area, contributing to a more inclusive sports culture.

To learn more, click here.

Despite the progress made, challenges remain in achieving full inclusivity in sport. Homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination can still persist, creating barriers for 2SLGBTQIA+ participants and volunteers. Stereotypes and prejudices can lead to exclusion, harassment, and limited opportunities within the sport community.

To address these challenges, ongoing education and awareness campaigns are essential. It is important for sport organizations, athletes, coaches, and fans to understand the experiences and unique needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in sport. By promoting empathy, respect, and understanding, we can create an environment where 2SLGBTQIA+ participants can thrive.

To create safe and welcoming environments for 2SLGBTQIA+ participants, sport organizations can implement specific measures and policies. These include developing anti-discrimination policies that explicitly protect 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals from harassment and prejudice. Training programs can be implemented to educate coaches, officials, and staff members on 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion, fostering an understanding of diverse identities and experiences.

To learn more about implementing inclusive policies and to get access to 16 free policy templates, check out the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit here.

Additionally, it is crucial to provide support networks and resources for 2SLGBTQIA+ participants. This can include establishing 2SLGBTQIA+ athlete associations or support groups within sport organizations, offering mental health resources tailored to the specific needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and ensuring access to gender-inclusive facilities and changing rooms.

By prioritizing 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusivity, sport organizations can send a powerful message of acceptance and create an environment where participants and volunteers can be their authentic selves, free from fear or discrimination.

Representation and visibility of 2SLGBTQIA+ athletes and role models are vital in inspiring future generations and fostering inclusivity. When 2SLGBTQIA+ athletes are visible and celebrated, it sends a powerful message that sports are for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Canadian athletes like Eric Radford, Mark Tewksbury, and Annie Guglia have made significant contributions to 2SLGBTQIA+ representation in sport. Their achievements and advocacy have helped to break down barriers and pave the way for greater inclusion in Canadian sport.

As we celebrate Pride Month in sport, it is important to reflect on the progress made and the work still to be done in promoting 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusivity. By prioritizing education, policy implementation, and creating safe and welcoming environments, we can continue to break down barriers and build a more inclusive and accepting sport community for all athletes.

To learn more about promoting 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in community sport, check out these links:

• OSC Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Panel Discussion Video
• OSC Community Sport Hero feature on Ottawa Pride Hockey
• OSC Community Sport Hero feature on Gay Ottawa Volleyball
• OSC Blog on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• The Sport Inclusion Task Force
• The International Platform on Sport and Development
• Canadian Women and Sport
• Coach New Brunswick’s Coach’s Guide to LGBTQ+ Inclusion

The Ottawa Sport Council (OSC) is pleased to welcome two new Board members and a new President, following its Annual General Meeting in May.

Newly elected members include Jennifer Dumoulin, (Director), and Muhamad Adatia, (Treasurer). Micheline Turnau, Mike Patterson, and John Cunningham were all re-elected as Directors.

Mathieu Fleury, co-founder of the Ottawa Sport Council and former Ottawa City Councillor and Sport Commissioner, was elected President.

“I am ecstatic 10 years after being co-founded the Ottawa Sport Council, the voice for sport in Ottawa, to lead the organization to meet the safe sport aspirations of youth and families as well as advocating for new modern sport and removing barriers to participation. I believe in the power of sport and its local impacts,” shared Fleury following his election.

As the leading voice for amateur sport in Ottawa, the Ottawa Sport Council facilitates education and advocacy for the growth of all community sport organizations. In 2023, the Ottawa Sport Council is celebrating its 10^th anniversary and the impact on the community sport sector over the last decade (read more).

David Gourlay and Chadi Azzi will be leaving the Board after several years of service. The OSC wishes to thank David for his leadership as Board President over the last two years, and Chadi who provided legal expertise to the Board over his tenure. David and Chadi have made significant contributions to the community sport sector through their time on the board.

“On behalf of the Ottawa Sport Council, I am thrilled to welcome Jennifer and Muhamad to the Ottawa Sport Council Board. Their expertise and enthusiasm for community sport will be a big asset to the operations of the Ottawa Sport Council and our members. I’d also like to express our deep appreciation to David and Chadi for their support during their tenures,” shared Marcia Morris, Executive Director.

Ottawa Sport Council Board of Directors

• President – Mathieu Fleury
• Director – Mike Patterson
• Director – Micheline Turnau
• Director – John Cunningham
• Director – Shamir Kanji
• Director – Alison Korn
• Director – Eric McLoughlin
• Director – Jennifer Dumoulin
• Secretary – Aaron Lee
• Treasurer – Muhamad Adatia

Jennifer Dumoulin is trained as a lawyer, educator, and researcher. She is committed to strengthening tools for educating, increasing awareness, and improving safe sport policies and processes. Jennifer has served as the President and Chair of the Ottawa Lions Track & Field Club Board of Directors and currently sits as a Member of the Governance Committees of Athletics Ontario and Sport for Life / Physical Literacy for Life. Jennifer currently works at the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services, as the Senior Manager for Governance and Legislation, in the Centre for Conflict Resolution and Ethics / Human Resources Legislated Programs Team, and at the University of Ottawa where she teaches part-time. In her spare time, Jenn stays active by running, weightlifting, and walking her dog.

Muhamad Adatia is an avid sports enthusiast, having grown up playing and watching many, he truly believes in the power of sport in building lifelong values and connections. Muhamad attributes many of his leadership and interpersonal skills to those developed in the arena. He advocates for inclusivity and strives to utilize sports as an avenue for empowerment and leadership development. Professionally, Muhamad is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over fifteen years of experience and has a strong financial background. He enjoys providing education through financial literacy and takes pride in accurate financial reporting to ensure organizational growth and strategic alignment.

A pressing issue for many community sport organizations is the ongoing challenge of securing sustainable funding. Funding is crucial for maintaining and expanding programs, purchasing necessary equipment, maintaining facilities, and supporting staff and volunteers. Given the importance of funding, the Ottawa Sport Council (OSC) is committed to providing educational material and opportunities related to funding (including a previous blog) to ensure that sport organizations can continue to be positive role models in their communities.

We know that both participant families and community sport organizations are feeling the pressure of increased costs related to sport. In April 2023, Canadian Tire Jumpstart released their latest edition of the Jumpstart State of Sport Report. From this report, we’ve learned that 81% of sport programmers reported increases in operational costs. At the same time, it was reported that 44% of families cannot afford to register their child in organized sport. Raising participant fees is not the best answer to securing sustainable funds.

Here are some other notable forms of funding:

• Grant funding for community sport organizations can come from both the government and other charitable organizations. These funds are often awarded based on competitive application processes. There is most often a specific objective that programs must meet to be eligible for funding.
• Private sponsorship agreements can provide financial support, products, or services in exchange for exposure and brand association with the organization. To attract and retain sponsors, organizations need to demonstrate their value to potential partners, often by showcasing the positive impact of their programs on the community and highlighting their alignment with the sponsor’s values.
• Donations from individuals, businesses, or foundations can also support community sport organizations. Fundraising activities such as charity events, crowdfunding campaigns, and donation drives can help raise much-needed funds. 

In addition to traditional funding sources, organizations should explore innovative and collaborative approaches to secure funding. Partnering with other sport and community organizations can help leverage resources and share the costs of programs and initiatives. This can include partnering with your provincial or national sport organization.

To make the most of available funding, community sport organizations should adopt strategic planning and efficient resource management practices. A well-thought-out strategic plan can help organizations prioritize their goals, allocate resources effectively, and demonstrate their value to potential funders. A transparent and accountable approach to managing funds can help organizations gain the trust of their stakeholders and ensure long-term sustainability.

In an increasingly competitive funding landscape, community sport organizations must be proactive and creative in securing the resources necessary to fulfill their mission. By understanding the various funding sources available, exploring innovative and collaborative approaches, and engaging in strategic planning, community sport organizations can overcome funding challenges and continue to provide meaningful sport experiences for their participants and communities.

Current Opportunity: Apply for the 2023 Community Opportunity Grant Now!

As community sport organizations continue to strive for increased inclusivity and accessibility, the Ottawa Sport Council is proud to announce the 2023 Community Opportunity Grant. This grant, made possible through a charitable endowment fund in partnership with the Ottawa Community Foundation and Their Opportunity, aims to help Ottawa community sport organizations improve inclusivity and accessibility to sport.

For the 2023 grant, the focus will be on programs that serve children and youth, supporting accessibility and inclusivity for those facing socio-economic barriers to participation in sport, as well as underrepresented and marginalized populations.  

Key details for the 2023 Community Opportunity Grant include:

• Grant Window: Monday, May 15 to Friday, June 9 at 17:00 EST
• Amount Awarded: Up to $2,000
• Grant Duration: Up to 1 year

By taking advantage of this grant, organizations can strengthen their capacity to create impactful, inclusive, and accessible sport programs that benefit all members of the community. The Ottawa Sport Council encourages eligible organizations to apply and make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and youth in our community through sport.

To learn more about this opportunity, click here.

In your sport organization, the Board of Directors holds fiduciary responsibilities, ensures good governance, and guides the organization’s strategic direction. These volunteers maintain a critical role in the overall success of your organization.

There are many types of Boards of Directors.  Two of the most commonly found in community sport are working boards and policy boards.

• Working boards are generally defined as those volunteer boards that are “hands-on” and directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the organization. This is common for organizations that do not employ staff members.
• Policy boards are generally defined as those volunteer boards that set policies and focus on organizational outcomes. Policy boards will often advise staff members on how work is done within the organization.

Given there are several types of Boards of Directors, it is best to find the one that supports your organization’s goals and capacity. You can learn more about the different types of boards here.

The type of board your organization chooses will influence your priorities when you are recruiting Board members. Not only will the type of board influence the desired skill sets for new board members, but it will also influence how you set expectations with potential new board members during the recruitment and selection process.

Writing and Posting a Job Description
When you begin the recruitment process, it is important to have a concise and realistic job description that articulates the roles and responsibilities of the board, the desired skill sets for new board members, and other expectations including the required monthly time commitment.

Once the job description is complete and your organization is ready to recruit candidates, it is important to share the post far and wide. Posting on your organization’s website is a good first step. From there, using communication channels like social media, email and the SIRC job board are some of the ways to spread the news that your organization is recruiting new board members. Tapping into the personal and professional networks of your organization’s existing board members can also be a powerful way to reach new audiences.

When seeking new board members, your organization should remember that technical sport expertise is not always required. Perhaps, in some cases, it may be better to select individuals with diverse sport backgrounds to bring new ideas and ways of working to the table.

Speaking with Board Candidates
Great news, you have found interested candidates for your Board of Directors! What do you do next? Exploring if a candidate is a good fit for your organization will often involve a series of conversations with existing board members and the Executive Director, where applicable. This stage of the recruitment process is about exchanging information to ensure both the organization and the potential board member can make an informed decision at the end of the recruitment process.

For the organization, you are trying to understand if the candidate has:

• Appropriate skills and knowledge to fill an identified gap on the Board of Directors.
• Values that are aligned with those of the organization.
• A passion for community sport and a desire to support the organization.

For the candidate, you are trying to understand if the organization:

• Offers a board structure that is aligned with the role you wish to play.
• Has a strategic plan and goals outlined for the Board term.
• Holds values and a vision that is aligned to your personal values and passions.

Organizations may also provide additional information like strategic plans, a public annual report, and a list of current Board Members and staff to supplement conversations.

Governing Good is a blog run by a retired university professor in Nova Scotia that provides several resources and guides for your Board of Directors related to your organization’s governance. Among those resources, is a guide for developing a strong recruitment package (here). If you are seeking additional resources for your Board of Directors and governance structures, this is a great start.

The Ottawa Sport Council is currently recruiting for our Board of Directors. We operate within a Competency Governance Model, meaning we are seeking specific professional skill sets to serve in an advisory capacity on the board. To learn more about becoming a member of the Ottawa Sport Council’s Board of Directors, click here by April 26, 2023.

For more information on recruiting for your Board of Directors, please contact us.

The Ottawa Sport Council (OSC) is seeking skilled and enthusiastic individuals with a passion for community sport to join our volunteer Board of Directors.

Recognized by the City of Ottawa as the leading voice for amateur sport across the city, the Ottawa Sport Council serves 300,000+ sport participants from more than 750 community sport organizations. Founded in 2013, over the last decade the Ottawa Sport Council has been proud to lead a number of lasting initiatives, all with the goal to create positive experiences in sport, where everyone has the opportunity to participate. We continue to work closely with community sport participants to drive the most impact from our work, and we strive to work with partner organizations that share our vision for sport as a tool for social inclusion and a community builder.

OSC is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status or disability.

The Ottawa Sport Council operates within a Competency Governance Model. Currently we are seeking 2 candidates with Financial, Legal, and/or Human Resources experience in a paid or volunteer setting:

• Financial (Treasurer):
  The treasurer will oversee the financial matters of the Ottawa Sport Council in line with good practice and in accordance with the governing document and legal requirements and report to the board of directors at regular intervals about the financial health of the organization. The treasurer will ensure that effective financial measures, controls and procedures are put in place, and are appropriate for the Ottawa Sport Council.
• Legal:
  The board representative with legal expertise will oversee the functioning of the Ottawa Sport Council from a legal perspective and provide guidance regarding legal matters which may arise with respect to the Ottawa Sport Council
• Human Resource (HR):
  The board representative with HR expertise will oversee the functioning of the Ottawa Sport Council from a human resources perspective and bring an understanding of labour and HR policies.

A passion for community sport and an understanding of its importance to Ottawa is essential. The ability to communicate effectively in both official languages is a strong asset.

Responsibilities of All Board Members:

• Guidance and leadership to the Executive Director for implementation of strategic and operational plans
• Review of agenda and supporting materials prior to board meetings
• Approval of annual budget and audit reports
• Representation of the Ottawa Sport Council to stakeholders
• Champion of the organization and of community sport

Eligibility:
Any individual, who is eighteen (18) years of age or older, who is a resident of Canada as defined in the Income Tax Act, who has the power under law to contract, who has not been declared incapable by a court in Canada or in another country, and who does not have the status of bankrupt, may be nominated for election as a Director.

Expression of Interest:
Please send a CV plus a statement of interest to Marcia Morris, Executive Director, Ottawa Sport Council by April 26, 2023.

For further information, please contact:
Marcia Morris, P. Eng
Executive Director, directrice générale
Conseil du sport d’Ottawa Sport Council

Do you know the impacts that children and adolescents with disabilities face because of lack of access to quality sport programming? These impacts can include basic physical literacy, sedentary behaviours, sleep, social engagement, and more (see here). Without access to quality sport experiences, individuals with a disability experience lifelong negative impacts.

On the contrary, individuals with disabilities who are sport participants see lifelong positive impacts. According to the True Sport Report 2022, participation in sport has been shown to have physical, mental, and social benefits for participants with disabilities. Individuals reported that participation in sport is an opportunity to build their self-confidence and become more motivated and independent.

This year, the Ottawa Sport Council is continuing our journey to make community sport more welcoming and inclusive in Ottawa. As we heard at the Ottawa Sport Summit (watch the highlights here), last November, accessibility for participants with a disability is a core component of striving for equity. Through the Ottawa Sport Summit, two core themes of accessibility emerged:

1. Accessible by design – When we heard from Camille Bérubé, three-time Paralympian, at the Sport Summit she spoke to the importance of planning for accessibility. It is much easier to plan for accessibility in the program design stage, than to have to retrofit during program delivery to become accessible to participants with disabilities.
2. Having accessible facilities is not enough – While ensuring that facilities are accessible for participants with physical disabilities is very important, that alone will not create accessible sport programming. Truly accessible programs provide accommodations in all program elements and integrate participants with a disability into sport organizations through mixed abilities programs.

The RA Curling Club (RACC) is an excellent example of sport programs  that are both accessible by design and offer full integration of participants in wheelchairs. The RACC strives to offer quality sport programs to wheelchair curlers.

• The RACC programs are accessible by design as they offer try-it events, instructional programs, and league play for standing and wheelchair curlers. The RACC programs offer skills-based progression and a variety of options for wheelchair curlers, similar to those offered to standing curlers.
• Through mixed abilities programs and opportunities to play competitively, RACC wheelchair curlers are fully integrated into the clubs’ programs and participant development pathways.

Being accessible by design and having program integration does not happen by accident, it takes intentional planning. So, what else goes into offering a quality sport experience for participants with disabilities? According to the Canadian Disability Participation Project (CCDP), there are six building blocks of quality sport participation for athletes with a disability (see here):

1. Autonomy – Having independence, choice, control
2. Belongingness – Feeling included, accepted, respected, part of the group
3. Challenge – Feeling appropriately tested
4. Engagement – Being in the moment, focus, absorbed, fascinated
5. Mastery – Feeling a sense of achievement, accomplishment, competence
6. Meaning – Contributing toward obtaining a personal or social meaningful goal; feeling a sense of responsibility to others

Within the CCDP’s Quick Guide (see here), there are key questions to ask yourself about the quality of the sport experience related to the physical, program, and social environments. Community sport organizations often face the challenge of having limited resources, be they financial, volunteer time, equipment, etc. The CCDP’s Quick Guide also speaks to the prioritization of strategies to build a quality sport program and building a plan for additional strategies that could be implemented should the need arise. The development of more accessible and inclusive sport programs is a continuous evolution, not a light switch.

Ottawa is also fortunate to have several expert organizations that can offer expertise in creating more welcoming and inclusive programs for athletes with a disability. These include:

• Abilities Centre Ottawa – Offers parasport education/awareness programs to schools and community sport organizations for participant and sport leaders to gain a better understanding of parasport.
• Ausome Ottawa – Offers a variety of sport programs in partnership with community sport organizations for athletes on the autism spectrum, as well as community training for sport leaders to better understand autism spectrum disorders in the context of sport.
• Special Olympics Ontario – Greater Ottawa – Offers a variety of sport programs in partnership with community sport organizations for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Alongside the participant experience, it is also important to consider how your organization may be welcoming to sport leaders with a disability. This can include coaches, officials, administrators, and Board members.

The Ottawa Sport Council is dedicated to making community sport more inclusive and welcoming for participants with a disability. As a continuation of the Ottawa Sport Summit hosted in November 2022, we are facilitating the development of an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Toolkit to provide practical resources to community sport organizations that make sport experiences more welcoming and inclusive. This will include resources and information on accessibility and welcoming participants with disabilities.

For more information on making your sport organization more inclusive and welcoming to participants with a disability or on the forthcoming EDI Toolkit, please contact us.

Did you know that hosting a major sport event has multiple benefits for community sport organizations? Community sport organizations can work with key partners throughout the city as the host organizing committee to bring a major event in their sport to Ottawa. By working with key partners throughout the city, such organizations can raise their profile, improve local infrastructure, and more.

Ottawa has been a proven destination for major sport events for many years, and 2022 was no exception. Last year, major events hosted in Ottawa were successful in large part due to the support of community sport organizations.

For example, the 2022 Canadian Cross Country Championships was hosted with the support of the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club, as well as Run Ottawa (see more). The fun didn’t stop there, Ottawa was also host to the 2022 Bingham Cup with the support of the Ottawa Wolves and the women’s team came home champions (see more)! Other events hosted included Little League Championships, Ontario Basketball Championships, FIVB Volleyball Nations League, and more!

Why did community sport organizations rally around these marquee events? They get to experience the long-term benefits of hosting a major sport event! These benefits include:

• Sport profile and awareness building – By hosting a major sport event, community sport organizations are opening the door to new participants and volunteers. Attending a major event is a great introduction to a new sport!
• Community and legacy building – Community sport organizations have the opportunity to unlock new capacities at all levels when hosting a major sport event. This includes development of administrators, coaches, officials, and participants by learning from others coming from across Canada or internationally.
• Direct economic impact – Drawing economic benefits from major events is common at the national sport level, but this can also be achieved through partnerships at the community sport level.
• Infrastructure development – Major sport events rights holders look for ways in which they can leave a lasting impact on the community. This can include sport facility upgrades that are used for the event but remain intact for community use when the event is finished.

As community sport organizations reflect on their organizational goals, it is important to consider how hosting a major sport event could be a part of realizing those goals. These goals could include participant recruitment – particularly to reach more diverse participants, volunteer training, infrastructure improvements, and more!

If your community sport organization is considering hosting a major sport event, you don’t have to do it alone! Ottawa Tourism can provide support in several different areas as a “one-stop support service” for event bidding/hosting groups. These services may include:

• Bid development – When a community sport organization is interested in hosting a major sport event, they will need to develop a bid to submit to the event rights holders. Ottawa Tourism can support the development of the bid based on their past experiences and connections.
• Event logistics – Ottawa Tourism has supported countless events hosted in the city, and they have connections to local sport facilities, hotel accommodations/housing options, transportation options, and additional vendors/supplies. Community sport organizations can seek referrals to the necessary supplies and services through Ottawa Tourism.
• Marketing your event – When a sport event has been confirmed, Ottawa Tourism can support the promotion of the event for a community sport organization or host committee. This includes marketing/creative services, public relations, social media, and more!
• Financial support – Ottawa Tourism is offering financial support starting at $25,000 to host your next qualifying major event! This support reduces a financial barrier for community sport organizations who are interested in hosting a major event in Ottawa (see more).

Learn more about the services offered by Ottawa Tourism here.

The Ottawa Sport Council can also offer additional information and support on sport event hosting for community sport organizations. The Ottawa Sport Council hosted a webinar on Bidding and Hosting Sport Events to help you get started and an additional blog post on Sport Event Tourism.

Looking to get inspired to host a major sport event? In 2023, Ottawa will be host to several major sport events including the World Men’s Curling Championship hosted with the support of the Ottawa Valley Curling Association, and the Masters Indigenous Games with the support of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation. The fun continues all year long with Ontario Basketball Championships, the Canadian Cross Country Championships, FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League, and so much more!

Follow Ottawa Tourism’s Major Events on Twitter and LinkedIn now!
Follow the Ottawa Sport Council on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram now!

As we begin a new year, community sport organizations may choose to launch a new strategic plan, or perhaps to revisit last year’s plan. According to BDC, strategic planning defines who you are as an organization and lists concrete actions to achieve your goals (see more here). This kind of planning activity can help to unify your team and provide a shared vision for decision makers.

Each organization’s strategic plan may look a little different, based on its size and operating model. For smaller organizations, the strategic plan may only be one page; if your organization has many programs and/or members, the strategic plan may be several pages long.

In 2021, the Ottawa Sport Council worked with local business leader Julien Leblanc, co-founder of blueprint North America, to kick off the Rebound program with a series of strategic planning workshops. These virtual workshops had participants walk away with a plan on a page at the end of the day. The distilled version of the workshop can be found here.

Many organizations elect to have a working session, or retreat, (in person or virtually) to develop the strategic plan with key decision makers. If your organization chooses to plan a strategic working session, check out this article from blueprint NA. You may choose to begin by asking yourself and other key decision makers in your organizations some big questions including:

• What is our winning aspiration?
• Where will we play?
• How will we win?
• What capabilities must be in place?
• What management systems are required?

(Questions from former Procter & Gamble CEO A.G. Lafley and Roger L. Martin’s book “Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works” (see here).)

Important to the strategic planning process is the 70/20/10 rule. This rule divides the work of an organization in three categories:

• 70% of the organization’s work should be in its core business
• 20% of the organization’s work should be in new developments (adjacent innovation)
• 10% of the organization’s work should be in bold new ideas (transformative innovation)

During the Rebound Workshop in 2021, we walked through a four-step process to strategic planning.

1. Stand in the future – the vision matters!
2. Analysis – what could be?
3. Prioritization – what are you saying yes to?
4. Communication & Accountability – rallying the troops!

Stand in the Future – The vision matters!

A vision statement is typically defined as the organization’s “why” – a statement declaring your organization’s meaning and core purpose. Your vision statement serves as a rally cry for your organization and provides a common goal.

In the Rebound workshop, participants completed an exercise where they had to first draw pictures to represent what they wanted the organization to be in five years. After taking a step back to look at the pictures, they selected key words and to develop their vision statement. This process allowed for lots of visualization among participants.

Analysis – Going from the “what is” to the “what could be”.

This part of the process is where you define your highest-level goals for the organization for the duration of the strategic planning cycle (this could be 2 years or up to 5 years). Here are some considerations for assessing “what is” and “what could be”:

• Consider your user experience – By working to understand your organization through the eyes of your participants, volunteers, staff, etc., you may realize your intentions are different than the outcomes. You may ask yourselves if your user experience fits within your vision, if it is welcoming to all, and if it meets the needs of participants.
• A SWOT analysis – Traditional strategic planning involves completing a SWOT analysis to look at your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. A SWOT analysis should always lead to action. If you list a weakness, ask yourselves “which means I must…”.

Prioritization – What are you saying yes to?

No organization has the capacity to say “yes” to everything it may want to do. It is important that when you say “yes” to something, you realize you are saying “no” to something else. This exercise is influenced by your vision statement, as well as how you apply the 70/20/10 rule.

Julien introduced workshop participants to the Boston Matrix. The Boston Matrix is based on two dimensions, the first being whether the goal is easy/inexpensive or hard/requires significant resources, and the second being whether the goal is big or small. This matrix can help your organization decide which activities have big impacts and which are time wasters (see more here).

Communication and Accountability – Rally the troops!

The final step in the process is to ensure participants understand the plan and their responsibilities to ensure the goals are achieved.  Julien recommends the OKR Method (see more here)  which has three layers:

• Objectives: Where do we need to go? What is the goal?
• Key Results: How will we know we are getting there?
• Initiatives: What tasks will we do to get there? How do we spend our time?

The OKR Method was an inspiration to many including the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club who used the OKR Method to make meaningful progress on its organizational objectives.

Strategic planning is a critical step for all community sport organizations of all sizes. Strategic planning is not about creating the perfect plan in one day, but rather setting the right intentions to build a common vision and goal for your team.

If you have any questions, please contact the Ottawa Sport Council.

We began 2022 with the looming uncertainty of what was to come as we approached the 2-year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic, but as the year has gone on, we’re happy to have reclaimed some sense of normalcy in community sport.

To start, the Ottawa Sport Council would like to recognize the commitment of the many sport leaders throughout the community who support our initiatives, including the OSC Board of Directors. Volunteers are central to community sport everywhere and very important to the success of the Ottawa Sport Council.

We would especially like to thank Laurie Cairns, a long-time member of the Ottawa Sport Council Board of Directors for her leadership and expertise as she moves on from her role on the Board. We are also happy to welcome Aaron Lee to the Board of Directors as Secretary.

The 2022 Ottawa Sport Council Foundation True Sport Community Grant

For the Ottawa Sport Council, the year began with the launch of the 2022 Ottawa Sport Council Foundation True Sport Community Grant program in partnership with the Ottawa Community Foundation and True Sport. By early April, we were thrilled to announce the two grant recipients: Active Newcomer Youth Ottawa and the Ottawa River Canoe Club.

• Active Newcomer Youth Ottawa’s Coping Mental Health through Soccer program provides a safe space where lower and middle-income black and racialized newcomers, refugees, and immigrant children and youth (8 to 29 years old) in Ottawa’s lower-income neighbourhoods participate in free community soccer tournaments to promote positive mental well-being, physical health, social and emotional health. 
• The Ottawa River Canoe Club’s I CAN Paddle program brings together youth between the ages of 15 and 30 who have recently arrived in Canada whether that be as an immigrant or refugee. Over the course of six weeks, this free program not only provides participants the opportunity to develop their paddling skills (kayak, canoe, dragon boat, sprint boats, SUP) in a safe and fun environment, but also the chance to enjoy the beautiful summers we are so lucky to have out on the Ottawa River.

The Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit

At the same time, the Ottawa Sport Council and 12 pilot organizations were also busy finalizing the contents of the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit, which was launched in mid-April. This free online toolkit with more than 30 custom resources would not have been possible without the generous funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit includes information and tools in 4 key areas:

• Policies – How to protect community sport organizations and their members
• Training Requirements – How to ensure everyone understands their role
• Engagement & Communication – How to ensure the safe sport culture exists and anchor the policies and training in behaviours
• Resources – Complimentary information and resources to promote awareness

If your sport organization is just beginning its Safe Sport journey, we recommend starting with the Safe Sport Essentials. These foundational policy and culture pieces are good first steps in your Safe Sport journey.

Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Journey

Not only is the Ottawa Sport Council committed to supporting community sport organizations in creating safe sport environments, but we are also committed to supporting diverse, equitable, and inclusive sport spaces. We have embarked on an evolving DEI journey this year in the hopes of creating accessible resources for community sport organizations to become more welcoming and inclusive.

This journey began in June when the Ottawa Sport Council partnered with INclusion INcorporated and launched a community survey – the intention of which was to learn more about how the OSC can support community sport organizations to create inclusive and accessible sport environments, including the identification of tools and training.   

Next, on November 26, the Ottawa Sport Council convened 40+ community sport organizations to map the participant experience in sport. Community leaders from a variety of equity-deserving groups shared their experiences which provided valuable input for the group to identify barriers to access, participation, and retention in sport.

The combined results of the DEI survey and the 2022 Ottawa Sport Summit will help to inform the development of resources to support community sport organizations, work which will be led by INclusion Incorporated in 2023. We are very appreciative of the generous support from Canadian Tire Jumpstart for this work.

Welcoming New Community Sport Heroes

In 2022, the Ottawa Sport Council welcomed six new community sport heroes. Community sport relies heavily on the contributions of staff and volunteers and the continued involvement of many different sport organizations. We have celebrated many significant achievements in our community sport sector over the last year, including:

• Tennis Centre West Ottawa who received grant funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to provide sustainable programming in partnership with schools, special needs organizations, and equity-deserving communities.
• City of Ottawa Public Health who worked tirelessly with the Ottawa Sport Council and the community sport sector to build a trusting relationship to keep community sport safe in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Boxing Without Barriers who offers boxing programs in non-contact environments for children, youth, and young adults with disabilities.
• Cumberland Panthers Girls Tackle Football who attracted more than 60 players in Ontario’s first ever community tackle football program exclusively for young women between the ages of 10 and 18.
• Ottawa Shooting Stars Basketball – a basketball club that seeks to increase access and inclusion for marginalized communities in older inner-city neighborhoods in Ottawa.
• Sarah Kennedy of Petrie Island Canoe Club who is committed to introducing the sport of canoe through the learn-to-paddle program and as the club’s Head Coach.

As we look back on 2022, the Ottawa Sport Council is fortunate to have made meaningful connections with leaders in community sport who share our vision to create positive sport experiences for all. We look forward to continuing this work in 2023 in the Ottawa community sport sector.

As the 2022 True Sport Report articulates, community sport is heavily reliant on volunteers from several perspectives. Volunteers in community sport include the Board of Directors, administrators, committee members, coaches, officials, and more. The Ottawa Sport Council relies on volunteerism for its Board of Directors, working committees and events on an ongoing basis. Without the support of dedicated volunteers, the Ottawa Sport Council is unable to deliver on our mandate and programming. This is the same for many community sport organizations.

Not only does the community sport sector rely on volunteers to operate, but 65% lifelong volunteers in Canada start by volunteering with sport organizations (True Sport Report, 2022). This year’s True Sport Report also articulates the social capital and community benefits of increasing volunteerism.

The Power of Volunteerism

The benefits of volunteering are at the individual, organizational, and community level. Some of these benefits include:

• Individual benefit: Opportunities to volunteer can increase individual feelings of belonging within their community and provides human connection.
• Organizational benefit: Volunteers offer a wide variety of knowledge, skills, and lived experiences. This offers organizations access to subject matter experts.
• Community benefit: Volunteerism boosts social capital and inclusion of equity-deserving groups to strengthen communities.

Current State of Volunteerism in Sport

The Ottawa Sport Council has been faced with many volunteer-capacity challenges and opportunities over the course of the pandemic. The experiences of the Ottawa Sport Council have enabled us to identify the following trends in community sport:

• Volunteers were over-taxed during the pandemic. Key volunteers experienced high levels of stress and volatility during the pandemic. With ever-changing restrictions and recommendations from Public Health and the government, volunteers were faced with added workload and unprecedented levels of stress. New risks and considerations created stress for volunteer decision-makers, like the Board of Directors.
• Long-time volunteers are burnt out and stepping away. Life-long volunteers who were overwhelmed during the pandemic have reached their limits, and many are choosing to take a step back in their volunteer responsibilities. Not only is this leaving fewer volunteers at the table, but it is also creating knowledge gaps within organizations.
• Volunteer roles are increasingly complex. In addition to the public health complexities of managing sport over the last two years, there have also been other complexities at play. Rowan’s Law, Safe Sport, and a push for more equitable and inclusive practices have been added to the already many responsibilities of volunteer community sport leaders.

 Example: The Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit

The Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit is an online toolkit to help Ottawa sport organizations foster safe, welcoming, and inclusive sport environments. This toolkit was designed in partnership with volunteers from 12 different sport organizations throughout Ottawa.

The intention of the pilot process was for these organizations to fully implement the toolkit and provide the necessary feedback to the Ottawa Sport Council to make the resources accessible and user-friendly.  The complexity of Safe Sport implementation and constraints faced by the volunteers translated into limited implementation and feedback which meant the early impacts of the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit were not as significant.

This example is a familiar scenario for many community sport organizations throughout the city, where programming delivery is limited because of volunteer capacity.

Where do we go from here?

The Ottawa Sport Council and community sport organizations throughout the city will need to get creative to meet the needs of community sport participants. This may include a variety of strategies to recruit, train, manage, and retain key volunteers. We are committed to finding new strategies to increase our own volunteer capacity and will share the lessons we learn to ensure we can provide positive sport experiences for everyone in our community.

Sport communities across Canada have access to world-renowned coaching and athlete development programs. However, very few programs exist which support the effective management and operation of a community sport organization.  The benefit of this type of programs for a sport organization is that it will help to ensure effective governance in their respective organization – but what exactly is governance?

According to the SIRC, governance is a general term, and it can be examined in a multi-dimensional way. It typically refers to the oversight, steering, and directing of an organization which can occur in three different realms: organizational, systemic, and political. In the organizational sphere, governance deals with how an organization handles their resources, profits, and losses through standards that reflect ethical norms and values. In the systemic realm, governance involves how an organization interacts within the entire sport community system (e.g., mutual adjustments, competition, and cooperation, etc.). Lastly, governance in the political sphere refers to how governments and/or governing bodies influence sport organizations.

The Government of Canada, especially Sport Canada, has great interest in supporting and strengthening the governance practices of Canadian Sport organizations. In their view, organizations who can apply effective governance are more likely to productively use public funding which will result in more high-quality sport programs for Canadian athletes. Sport Canada believes that the core component of effective governance is “the expectation that sport leaders and board directors will model the highest standards of ethical behaviour at all times”. To achieve this high standard of ethical behaviours, Sport Canada has five principles that sport organizations can follow:

• Commitment to mission and guided by a strategic plan
• Clarity of roles and responsibilities
• Effective financial control
• Focused on human resources
• Transparent and accountable for outcomes and results

For more information about these principles click here.

Organizations often still use good governance as a popular term or “goal” to which they aspire. However, organizations like  SIRC believe this phrasing can reinforce the idea of “good” versus “bad” governance. This idea can cause an organization to become complacent if they believe they have already achieved good governance. Therefore, it is recommended that sport organizations aim for effective or improved governance, which acknowledges that there is always room for improvement!

It is no question that improving the governance of an organization can be a challenging task. There are countless effective governance principles and guidelines that are available for sport organizations to incorporate into their practices. However, that does not mean that organizations will automatically see an improvement in their organizational performance; creating effective governance is not a cookie-cutter process. This makes it essential that all stakeholders in an organization, not only the board of directors, play a role in improving an organization’s governance. Here are some tools and resources to support effective organizational governance.

• Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC) – SIRC is an organization that has hundreds of different resources for many different topics. SIRC has a portal related to governance which contains many different educational programs, webinars, tools, and resources.
• Governance Essentials – a comprehensive and interactive online course offered by Sport Law and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, the Governance Essentials course aims to help volunteer directors. The course offers directors a chance to improve leadership skills, and get advice from experts.
• Governing Good – this resource offers several guides on governance for free! With over 20 guides, this resource provides great information for all types of positions in community sport organizations.
• Board Voice – this organization provides a diverse collection of resources that are helpful for board members in the Canadian non-profit sector. Topics include strategic planning, financial statements, advocacy, diversity, equity, and inclusion and much more!
• Purpose-Driven Board Leadership – Board Source offers resources that focus around 4 main principles to strengthen a board of directors. The principles are purpose before organization, respect for ecosystem, equity mindset, and authorized voice and power. This resource provides an understanding regarding why governance in the social sector is different from traditional ideas regarding governance and how a changed perspective can benefit your organization.

 Additional resources:

• Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport – Risk Management Program
• Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada – Governance
• Ottawa Sport Council’s Rebound 2021 Strategic Planning Video
• Ottawa Sport Council’s Governance Video – Building your Best Board

We have all heard of physical education, P.E., or gym class before; but have you heard of physical literacy? According to ParticipACTION, one of Canada’s biggest physical activity advocates, physical literacy can be defined as “the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life”. Being physically literate makes it easier for individuals to translate different skill sets within new sports and activities. While this is a vital skill for athletes, it is also important for anyone that wants to live a happy and healthy lifestyle. 

Canadian youth often begin to develop their physical literacy skills through the physical education curriculums in our education system. It has been shown that the earlier this development starts, the better, especially for later success as an athlete. Early development usually starts with active playing and games like Octopus or Freeze Tag. These types of games help teach children the skills and fundamentals necessary for different sports and physical activities they may want to try later in life.

However, even if a child does not want a future in sport, delaying physical literacy development can cause children frustration, which may lead to negative opinions around physical activity. This negative outlook can make it more difficult for a child to have an active lifestyle later in life. Therefore, it is important for educators to make sure that physical education curriculums are engaging, inclusive, and –most importantly – fun! By making sure that the activities are fun for everyone, educators are more likely to help children have a positive outlook on physical activity. 

The development of physical literacy does not solely depend on the efforts made by educators. Responsibility to teach physical literacy also falls upon parents. There are many ways parents can help the development of their child’s physical literacy skills:

• Confirm your school is providing an engaging and positive environment for  physical education curriculums.
• Show support for the different sports, games, and activities in which your child is interested..
• Set aside time to engage in fun physical activity as a family (e.g., passing around a ball, going on a hike, dancing, etc.)- being active does not always have to be structured! 
• Lead by example! It is much easier for a child to learn about the benefits of a physically active lifestyle when they see their parents joining in on the fun.

The responsibility of physical literacy also belongs to school administrators and government officials. PHE Canada provides the following support:

• Ensures that physical education is an important part of the school curriculum
• Ensures that the teachers who are providing physical education are enthusiastic and qualified.
• Suggestions for physical activities outside of gym class throughout the school year (e.g., dance-a-thons, winter carnivals, play days, community walks/runs, etc.).

Physical literacy is not only important for young Canadians. Like any type of skill, physical literacy needs to be practiced throughout an individual’s lifetime. This skill allows Canadians of all ages to safely participate in physical activities which provides many benefits such as improved physical health, mental health, and cognitive abilities. Physical literacy can also help seniors maintain or improve their quality of life and contribute to increased independence and lower risk of injury and falls.

Although physical literacy comes more naturally to an individual when they are younger, do not worry if you were not able to develop these skills during childhood! Physical literacy can be taught and practiced at any age by engaging in new physical activities and focusing on different fundamental skills. Not many people are able to wake up in the morning and decide to go on a 10km run unless they have been practicing those skills regularly. However, many of us are quite capable of going for a brisk walk in the morning. It is important to not compare your skills to someone else’s, but instead compare yourself to the person you were yesterday. Even a small improvement is a step forward and you should be proud of that! It is all part of the process to having a happy and healthy lifestyle.

For more information on physical literacy, its benefits, and ways you can be active, check out the following resources:

• Ottawa Sport Council
• ParticipACTION
• PHE Canada
• HIGH FIVE

School’s out, the days are longer, the sun is shining – how can you not be excited that summer is here? If you are not already ecstatic about summer, we at the Ottawa Sport Council would like to tell you about the various events happening in the Ottawa area that will keep you happy and healthy all summer long!

The Ontario Summer Indigenous Games

The 2022 Ontario Summer Indigenous Games (OSIG) will be held on Algonquin Territory (Ottawa, ON) at the University of Ottawa this summer. From July 28th to 31st, roughly 500 Indigenous youth athletes across Ontario – along with their families and friends – will gather in the city for a celebration of Indigenous youth athletics. Indigenous youth (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) ages 13 to 18 will have the chance to complete in one of ten sports: athletics, badminton, basketball, baseball, lacrosse (box), soccer, softball, swimming, wrestling, and volleyball. The four-day tournament will start the evening of the July 28th, with the opening ceremonies taking place at the University of Ottawa. The tournament with include several events such as sport competitions, cultural events and teachings, sightseeing, a recreational beach volleyball tournament, medal ceremonies, and a community feast. The OSIG will conclude on July 31st with a closing ceremony at the university.

The OSIG, which were first held in 2016, aim to celebrate Indigenous cultures and communities from across Ontario. Indigenous youth will not only be able to compete against top athletes from around the province but will also be given a chance to learn from each other, celebrate their cultures, and make connections with other youth that can last a lifetime.

The OSIG are being hosted by Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario (ISWO), an organization that focuses on promoting sport, leadership, and community to all Indigenous peoples throughout Ontario. According to ISWO’s president, Marc Laliberte, the organization has one main goal for this year’s summer games: “we want to provide participants with a fun, safe and culturally relevant experience – that will inspire and propel youth forward in a good way”.

To learn more about the Ontario Summer Indigenous Games, as well as Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario, you can visit their website here.

Summer Sports in Ottawa

Is all this talk about the OSIG making you want to go outside to be active? Well, it is a good thing that Ottawa has various sports facilities, summer programs, and events that are fun for all ages and abilities.

For children and youth who are looking to be active this summer, BGC Ottawa is offering multiple day camps across their various Ottawa locations, free of charge! Youth will be able to participate in activities like dance, basketball, soccer, and many more. For more information about BGC Ottawa and the countless programs they offer, check out their website here.

For those of you who are a little older but want to join the fun, do not worry! The 2022 Summer Watermelon Classic Softball tournament is taking place at Leitrim Park on August 13th, 2022, and is open to all people over the age of 19. Teams will be guaranteed three 60-minute games, will have a chance to win prizes, and potentially be lucky enough to take home the championship t-shirts! Team registration is $375, and registration closes August 11th, 2022. Click here to register.

Additionally, for those of you who don’t feel like playing but still want to feel that team spirit, Ottawa is home to many high-level teams for various sports. Games are happening all summer long and are fun for all ages:

• Ottawa Redblacks (Football)
• Ottawa Blackjacks (Basketball)
• Ottawa Titans (Baseball)
• Atlético Ottawa (Soccer)

Lastly, we have some great resources to help you find additional sports activities and events that are happening all summer:

• Ottawa Sport Council – The “Find a sport” section on our website is a great resource to find different sports leagues for all ages!
• Recreation and Parks Ottawa – A helpful place to find and book drop-in activities across the city.
• Our Kids – An amazing website to check out and compare all the different camps being offered in the Ottawa area this summer.
• The Ottawa Sport and Social Club – Be able to find different sports leagues, tournaments, and events on OSSC’s website.
• RA Centre – Check out the RA Centre’s website for information on summer camps, sports programs, and events.

We know that overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened inequities among traditionally underrepresented groups, and that includes inequities in community sport. Social and economic divisions in society have widened due to the circumstances of the last two years. As we begin to return to normal, community sport organizations are requesting support to make their organizations more welcoming and inclusive to all members.

In 2021, the Ottawa Sport Council began the conversation with the Ottawa sport sector about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through the Rebound Program. This learning series featured a one-hour video panel discussion among community leaders, followed by three peer-to-peer discussion opportunities. You can watch the video panel discussion here.

For the Ottawa Sport Council, this was just the beginning. We are seeking ways to continue the conversation with community sport organizations throughout the city, including working with INclusion INcorporated to launch the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Survey. This survey seeks to learn more about how the OSC can support community sport organizations in continuing to create inclusive and accessible sport environments. Support includes identifying tools and training that would be supportive of you and your communities. The survey is open until June 30, 2022, click here to participate.

As the conversation continues, we strive to create greater awareness of the benefits of diverse and inclusive community sport organizations. According to The Power of Sport: The True Sport Report 2022, sport can help strengthen communities by building social capital and fostering greater inclusion of equity-deserving groups. Community sport organizations can the establish norms of tolerance and anti-discrimination to foster fair and inclusive environments.

Part of this conversation includes increasing awareness of the current situation for equity-deserving groups in sport and the benefits that participation in sport can offer:

• Individuals with disabilities face many forms of social, economic, and political exclusion. Additionally, children with disabilities tend to be more sedentary than their able-bodied peers. Participation in sport provides opportunities for people with disabilities to build their self-confidence and self-esteem, enhance their social skills and networks, and become more motivated an independent.
• It is reported that 2SLGBTQ+ identifying youth experience high levels of social exclusion and experience mental health concerns at a higher rate than other Canadians. Increased access and inclusion in sport for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals can promote greater social inclusion in the community and improve overall mental health.
• Sport shows significant cultural significance in Indigenous populations across Canada, however participation rates among Indigenous Canadians is lower than the national average. Sport can offer physical and mental health benefits, builds cultural pride, as well as increases social cohesion and self-esteem to Indigenous communities.
• Visible minorities in Canada are also reported to have lower sport participation rates than the national average. This a result of ongoing implicit and explicit dismissal of needs and experiences of individuals in racialized communities. Increased representation of racialized communities in sport at all levels can support greater participation through greater consideration of diverse needs.

These considerations are all a part of The Power of Sport: The True Sport Report 2022.

By now it may seem obvious that greater inclusion in sport is needed, but how do we get there? Here are some practical tips to fostering a more inclusive environment:

• Adapt sport programming to foster greater inclusion of athletes with a disability. This can include partnering with organizations like Ausome Ottawa, who specialize in working with autistic athletes.
• Establish gender neutral language in participant registration forms and communications from your organization. This can also include consideration for mixed-gender sport programming.
• Seek diverse leaders for your organization in coaches, administrators, and Board of Directors. Ask yourself who is not at the table and invite them into the conversation.
• Encourage additional training for leaders in your organization, like coaches, who can participate in diversity and inclusion training modules from the Coaching Association of Canada (here).

The Ottawa Sport Council is always seeking ways to support community sport organizations in their journey to become more welcoming and inclusive. If you have an idea for how we can support your community sport organization, contact us.

Our world has become reliant on digital communications, and community sport organizations are not immune to the complexities involved in managing digital communication platforms. For community sport organizations, strong communication practices can help to engage current members further and recruit new members. These communication practices can include emails, social media, your website, and more.

Social media platforms and websites are among the most common forms of digital communications for community sport organizations. These platforms can be used to share information about upcoming program registrations, competition results on the field of play, educational information, and so much more.

The most popular social media platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. This may seem like a lot of platforms to manage, but content can easily be replicated across platforms. Content can be shared simultaneously on Facebook and Instagram when the accounts are connected. Videos created for TikTok are well-formatted to be shared on Instagram.

Here are a few ideas to increase engagement on social media

• Volunteer recognition: Use your digital communication platforms to recognize dedicated volunteers in your organization for a job well done. This can be done in a social media post highlighting the individual and thanking them for their work. You can also use social media to provide the opportunity for members of your organization to nominate volunteers for recognition.
• Promote awareness of safe sport practices: Safe sport policies and practices are relevant to all members of your community sport organization regardless of their role. By sharing information on social media about safe sport practices, you are taking steps to further embed safe sport into your organizational culture. This can be also be effective with other relevant topics.
• Get your participants involved: Social media trends are constantly evolving. By involving your participants in the creation of social media content, they are more likely to share and engage with the content when it is published. This can be a fun team activity throughout the season.

 If well set up and maintained, your website can become your central hub for digital communications. Websites today are critical for ensuring all members of your organization have access to the organization’s policies and procedures, program information and registration, team schedules, and more.

 Here are some considerations to increase your website engagement

• Create an alumni section: When participants from your programs play university-level sports and beyond, it can be exciting to share on your website. Sharing the success of former athletes and coaches from your organization can speak to the history and success of your programming.
• Post regular competition results: By ensuring your website is updated with the latest competition results, members of your organization are easily able to see exceptional performances on the field of play. This can be particularly exciting for families of participants.

Tools to help you manage your communications

1. Canva– Canva is a free online platform that can be used for social media and graphic design. It offers access to countless templates and is relatively easy to use. Canva also offers free premium memberships to non-profit organizations. Access to the premium membership includes additional templates and a built-in social media scheduling tool.
2. Unsplash– Unsplash is a free stock images website. Images downloaded from Unsplash are those that can be downloaded and used in digital communications without licensing fees. These images are free to use without permission.
3. DeepL– DeepL is a free online translation tool that is a step above the rest. If your organization is home to participants who speak languages other than English, this tool can support your digital translation needs.

The effective use of your digital communications platforms begins with a robust communications plan. The Sport Information Research Centre (SIRC) offers tips on how to build an effective communications plan here. The SIRC blog discusses considerations for creating key messages, determining target audiences, and timelines for communication. Within the blog, there are also links to examples of communications plans.

The Ottawa Sport Council can help you share your message

The Ottawa Sport Council is committed to amplifying the voices of community sport organizations throughout the city. We can do so by sharing your message! Our community on social media is filled with community sport enthusiasts, community sport organizations, and even local media outlets. By amplifying your message within our community, you can reach new audiences and welcome new members to your community.

Reach out to us via email or on social media if there is a program or initiative that you would like us to share with our network!

Earlier this month, we launched the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit. The Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit is a free online toolkit developed to foster safe, welcoming, and inclusive sport environments for participants of all ages and abilities. Based on industry best practices, the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit (OSST) was developed collaboratively with 12 Ottawa based member sport organizations through a pilot program.

The development of this toolkit began in November of 2020 with the goal of increasing program safety and inclusiveness and ensuring safe sport resources reach the community level. We have seen so much conversation in the media recently surrounding safe sport concerns, prompting the Minister of Sport to announce that the implementation of the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) independent safe sport mechanism would be accelerated and that it would be mandatory for all national sport organizations that receive federal funding (see full statement here).

While this is an important step in increasing program safety and ensuring safe sport, this does not mean that resources will reach the community level as quickly. Therein lies the importance of the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit. The resources developed for the OSST have been custom designed to best suit community level sport.

How does the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit work?

The toolkit is organized into four components and comes with a complete Implementation Guide to support community sport organizations. By following the four components of the toolkit in order, community sport organizations will have the policies and the culture necessary to increase program safety. The four components include:

1. Policies
   Policies are critical to ensure community sport organizations are protected and are protecting their members. This section of the toolkit includes the Safe Sport Policy Suite (SSPS) – a set of policy templates based on industry best practices. To support the implementation of such policies, a series of checklists, tip sheets, and webinars are also available.

2. Training Requirements
   With the required policies in place, training all stakeholders is the next step in establishing a safe sport environment. It is critical that everyone understand their role in creating safe and thriving sport environments. Based on the screening and training matrix developed within the policies section, the required training for all stakeholder groups can be easily outlined and tracked. This is supported with webinars and resources from the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC).

3. Engagement & Communication
   Intentional engagement with stakeholders, especially athletes, provides a firsthand assessment of how well your policies and training are working on the field of play.  This section of the toolkit allows you to demonstrate best practices anchored in behavioural examples to support safe sport environments for coaches and athletes.

4. Resources 
   There are many safe sport resources from across the Canadian sport landscape to support safe sport practices in community sport organizations which complement the custom designed assets in the toolkit. This section of the toolkit houses resources in areas such as player welfare and injury prevention, equity, diversity, inclusion, and indigeneity in sport, and more.

How to take the first step:

We recognize that many community sport organizations are volunteer-led and beginning the safe sport journey can be overwhelming. Through the pilot phase of the project, we spoke with each of the 12 Ottawa-based sport organizations regularly to understand how they were able to implement the toolkit.

In speaking with Halley Chopra, of the Nepean Nighthawks Field Hockey Club, she identified two major elements to begin safe sport implementation –policies and culture. Policies ensure organizations are protected and are protecting their members. Culture supports organizations to align with and be accountable for policies and practices.

“As a volunteer who must defend the time of our limited resources, it was great to know from the beginning what time we were being asked to give and when the project would be finally implemented,” shared Chopra when asked about her experience in the pilot program. “The toolkit helped us organize where information should be shared – what parts are needed in the policy and what parts can be integrated into our operations to address the culture of safe sport.”

From there, we were able to build the “Safe Sport Essentials” – a one-page document that includes the three most critical elements of policies and culture to increase program safety. This is an excellent place to kick off your safe sport journey. Once you have implemented the Safe Sport Essentials, you can easily move to the complete Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit for further implementation.

Be a part of the safe sport community

A special thanks to Sport Law for their facilitation of the toolkit development process and the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their generous funding support. We are incredibly grateful to have had such excellent partners in stewarding the development of the toolkit.

The development of the toolkit was a collaborative effort with 12 pilot organizations, and the goal is for this collaboration to grow. The Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit is an evolving resource, and we welcome members of the community to contact us if you have questions or you feel a resource should be added.

The Ottawa Sport Council is thrilled to launch the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit to our community sport sector. The Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit is a free online toolkit developed to foster safe, welcoming, and inclusive sport environments for participants of all ages and abilities. Based on industry best practices, the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit was developed collaboratively with 12 Ottawa based member sport organizations through a pilot program under the leadership of the Ottawa Sport Council and with funding generously provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The goal of the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit is to provide organizations with user-friendly resources that identify and mitigate risks and that engage participants, coaches, officials, administrators, and volunteers in the safe sport journey.

How does the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit work?

The toolkit is organized into four major components:

• Policies – How to protect community sport organizations and their members
• Training Requirements – How to ensure everyone understands their role
• Engagement & Communication – How to ensure the safe sport culture exists and anchor the policies and training in behaviours
• Resources – Complimentary information and resources to promote awareness

The Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit comes with a complete Implementation Guide to support organizations as they continue their journey to create safe and thriving sport environments. The Safe Sport Essentials guide is also available for those organizations who are just beginning their safe sport journey.

Click here to view the Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit

The toolkit is designed to ensure safe sport resources reach the community level. In 2019, the Federal Government and the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) announced resources to help combat misconduct in the sporting world, but the work does not end there. The Ottawa Safe Sport Toolkit is a fundamental building block that offers resources customized to the community level sport environment. The toolkit will continue to be updated as new information and resources become available to maintain relevance.

Over the next few months, the Ottawa Sport Council will be offering additional support for those organizations implementing the Safe Sport Toolkit. Details to be announced soon!

We believe in the power of partnerships. Partnerships amongst community organizations, even those outside of sport, have the power to enhance sport experiences for participants and increase capacities within organizations. For participants, inter-organizational partnerships can help to introduce new sport experiences and remove barriers to participation. For organizations, such partnerships allow for efficient use of resources and new opportunities to deliver programs and services.

Community partnerships between sport organizations offer the opportunity to engage new participants. For athletes, these partnerships offer a cross training opportunity which maintains skills during the off season (for sports with similar foundational movement patterns), or build new skills (sports with different skill sets). Consider a formalized partnership between two sport organizations, where each organization could realize the following benefits:

• Access to new participants
• Opportunities for cross-promotion
• Increased engagement among participants
• Higher levels of competition and skill from participants

Community partnerships with organizations outside of sport offers the opportunity for expanded services and programming without the need for additional funding or volunteers. A win-win situation is created when community-based organizations have shared values or common goals, with complementary skill sets and capacities. Some organizations that pair well with community sport organizations include:

• Municipal departments
• Community housing organizations
• Newcomer centres or organizations
• Child and youth service organizations
• Accessibility- and inclusion-centred organizations

Key considerations when forming partnerships

Forming a partnership with another community-based organization can be a big decision. We’ve outlined some key considerations to help you find the best fit for your organization:

• Core values and mandate: Are the core values of the organizations well aligned? Do the organizations have a similar mandate?
• Participant groups: Who is the main audience for each organization? Are you looking to reach new audiences? How many participants does each organization have?
• Program goals: What kinds of services and programming could be offered by the organizations in partnership? What goals are each organization trying to achieve?
• Capacities and skill sets: Do the organizations have skill sets/capacities that are complementary and could be mutually beneficial?

This is not a complete list of considerations in forming a partnership within the community, but it may enable you organization to begin researching potential partners and forming relationships.

How is Gay Ottawa Volleyball building a successful community partnership?

 Gay Ottawa Volleyball (GOV) is currently building a partnership with Ten Oaks Summer Camp. Although the organizations are in the early stages of the partnership, it is an excellent example of the power of community partnerships.

GOV is a recreational volleyball organization that has been servicing the LGBTQ+ community in Ottawa for over 25 years. Traditionally, the programming has been available to adults. Recently, GOV was looking to expand their programming to LGBTQ+ youth but needed a way to build capacity and connect with new participants.

Ten Oaks Summer Camp is a sleep-away camp for children and youth from 2SLGBTQ+ identities, families, and communities. Ten Oaks Summer Camp began in 2004 when the founders Holly and Julia identified a lack of services for the children and youth of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The camp has served to provide some of those services and begin to close the gap.

Since the partnership began, Ten Oaks has been able to support GOV as they build their capacity to offer programming to LGBTQ+ youth and the hope is to deliver joint programming in the future. One way that Ten Oaks has supported GOV is by delivering training to the Board of Directors and core volunteers on engaging and working with LGBTQ+ youth in a recreational context.

As this partnership is only beginning, there are ample opportunities for Gay Ottawa Volleyball and Ten Oaks Summer Camp to support one another and create more positive sport experiences for individuals from LGBTQ+ communities.

How can the Ottawa Sport Council help?

The Ottawa Sport Council believes in the power of community. In 2021, as part of the year-long Rebound program, the Ottawa Sport Council Community Sport Slack Workspace was launched. Slack is a channel-based messaging platform used to share ideas and resources, ask questions, and connect with others to strengthen the community sport sector in Ottawa. This is a free virtual platform moderated by the Ottawa Sport Council. Register today to join the conversation.

Throughout February and March, Canadians will gather around the living room for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, China. The Olympic Games were hosted from February 4-20 and the Paralympics will be hosted from March 4-13. Beijing is the first city in the world to host both the summer and winter Games.

Several local athletes from the Ottawa area have travelled to China to compete in the Games. With the continued support of local community sport organizations, athletes have been able to train in Ottawa with hopes of reaching their Olympic and Paralympic goals. Some of the familiar faces travelling to Beijing this winter include:

• Rachel Homan & John Morris – mixed doubles curling (Ottawa Curling Club).
• Collinda Joseph – wheelchair curling (RA Curling Club).
• Isabelle Weideman & Ivanie Blondin – long-track speed skating (Gloucester Concordes).
• Jamie Lee Rattray – women’s hockey (Kanata Blazers).
• Eric O’Dell – in men’s hockey (Ottawa West Golden Knights).
• Hannah Schmidt – freestyle skiing and ski cross (Mont-Tremblant Ski Club).

To learn more about local athletes competing in Beijing, visit the Ottawa Sports Pages’ Olympic Central.

Congratulations to local athlete Isabelle Weideman who captured Canada’s first medal of the Games, coming in 3^rd place for the women’s 3000m speed skating event and then went on to win a silver medal in the women’s 5000m long track event.

The Olympic and Paralympics often result in boosts in participation and enthusiasm in local community sport organizations.  Calabogie Peaks Freestyle is a local ski club in Ottawa that has seen the benefits of local excitement surrounding the Beijing Winter Olympics – especially given Mikael Kingsbury’s  silver medal in men’s moguls.  We had the chance to speak with Calabogie Peaks leading up to their  Freestyle Ontario Timber Tour mogul skiing competition held from February 11 to 13.

While Mikael Kingsbury was winning the silver medal in Beijing, local athletes and volunteers were busy preparing to host and compete in the Freestyle Ontario Timber Tour.

“We’re super excited! We’ve been watching the Olympics – we watched the qualifiers and we saw the finals. Our athletes are competing next weekend and it was really awesome to see their idol athletes compete on the world stage. Now they can go take it and show them what’s up at Calabogie Peaks!” shared Program Director Myles Adams.

As athletes prepared for their own event, they watched Kingsbury compete in Beijing. “The thing I really like about moguls is the fun of watching the Olympians do it, like Mikael Kingsbury. He does it very well and I also want to try my best,” said Thomas Edey.

Calabogie Peaks Freestyle is one of many local organizations following the Games closely as they inspire and motivate participants to be their best and have fun along the way!

Winter Sports in Ottawa

Ottawa is fortunate to offer a wide variety of winter sports for all ages and abilities. Some of the winter sports programs throughout the city include:

• Goulbourn Girls Hockey Association: The Goulbourn Girls Hockey Association aims to provide a safe, fun and engaged environment for girls to learn and play hockey. The Rockets offer programming for ages groups from U7 all the way to U18.
• Nepean Skating Club: The Nepean Skating Club supports all skaters in realizing their skating goals by providing quality coaching, facilities, programming, and leadershi The Nepean Skating Club offers programming from learn to skate all the way to competitive skate.
• Ottawa Pacers Speed Skating Club: The Ottawa Pacers offer programs for all ages and skill levels. The volunteer-run club offers the perfect balance of skilled instruction and social interaction. Skating programs begin in early September and run until the end of March.
• West Ottawa Ringette: The West Ottawa Ringette Association offers a fun and challenging ringette experience for both regional and competitive players from ages 4 to 18. West Ottawa Ringette also offers free ‘Come Try Ringette’sessions throughout the year for everyone to get a feel for the sport.
• Nakkertok Nordic: Nakkertok Nordic is Eastern Canada’s largest cross-country ski club located near Ottawa in Gatineau, QC. This year Nakkertok’s own Katherine Stewart-Jones is competing in the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

The Ottawa Sport Council is pleased to announce the launch of the Ottawa Sport Council Foundation: 2022 True Sport Community Grant!  The application portal is now open and applications can be submitted until Thursday, February 24^th at 17:00 EST.

This grant supports eligible expenses for programs which support inclusivity for those who face barriers to participation in sport including but not limited to those who face social, economic, or racial barriers and underrepresented and marginalized populations. The Ottawa Sport Council Foundation: 2022 True Sport Community Grant is offered in partnership by the Ottawa Sport Council, the True Sport Foundation, and the Ottawa Community Foundation.

The application is available as a fillable PDF. Within the document you will find all the details necessary to complete the grant, including the definition of key terms key and frequently asked questions. The Ottawa Sport Council is also pleased to answer questions regarding the application in advance of submission.

Click here to access the Ottawa Sport Council Foundation: 2022 True Sport Community Grant!

Key Details

• Grant Window: Monday, January 10 to Thursday, February 24 (17:00 EST)
• Funding available: Up to $1,500
• Number of Programs to Receive Funding: 2

Understanding the Program Goal and Eligibility

• The Ottawa Sport Council Foundation: 2022 True Sport Community Grant supports programs which clearly support inclusivity for underrepresented and marginalized populations.
• Incorporated not-for-profit organizations that offer sports program in Ottawa in alignment with the True Sport Principles and the True Sport Charitable Purpose are eligible to apply for funding.
• For examples of programs who have received funding from the Ottawa Sport Council Foundation True Sport Community Grant, click here.

To better understand the importance of eliminating barriers and creating more inclusive sport experiences, we invite you to watch the Ottawa Sport Council Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Panel Discussion Video. This recorded virtual panel discussion invites community sport organizations to consider the ways in which they can create a more inclusive and welcoming environment within their organizations.

We look forward to receiving applications from community sport organizations supporting an equitable, diverse, and inclusive sport experience for all.

2021 has come and gone, and with it, community sport organizations have overcome another year of uncertainty, adapting once again to an ever-changing sport world.

Like other members of the sport community in 2021, the Ottawa Sport Council (OSC) aimed to support its peers and ensure Ottawa sport organizations had as many resources as possible to withstand another year of adversity and emerge from the year ready to rebound stronger.

The OSC kicked off the year by awarding two local community sport organizations – the Rideau Canoe Club and the Nepean Sailing Club – with the Ottawa Sport Council Foundation 2020 True Sport Community Grant, aimed to assist with COVID-19 recovery efforts and further develop inclusive programming while embracing the True Sport Principles.

The Rideau Canoe Club’s Special Olympics and Paracanoe program made a return in 2021 and the Nepean Sailing Club was able to develop their ABLE Sail program to offer people of all abilities the opportunity to participate in sport.

For the OSC, this year also presented a unique opportunity to continue to give back to the sport community through specialized, peer-driven workshops designed to help sport organizations rebound from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These workshops formed the Rebound program, a year-long initiative created to enhance the resources found in the Ottawa Return to Play Roadmap. The primary objective in designing the Rebound Program was to support ongoing COVID-19 recovery in community sport with an active engagement strategy throughout 2021.

This active engagement strategy included opportunities for:

• Resource, knowledge, & data sharing
• Peer learning and network development
• Unity within the community sport sector

The 13 Rebound workshops hosted from February to November 2021 were attended by 130 participants from 87 organizations and 34 different sports, offering a diverse perspective regarding the various focused topics.

Rebound covered four topics: Strategic Planning; Volunteer Recruitment and Retention; Risk Management; and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Subject matter experts led Chalk Talks (full-day sessions) and facilitated Huddles (2-hour workshops with discussions among peers) for each of these topics to offer hands-on learning.

To complement these sessions, the OSC created the Community Sport Slack Workspace. This Slack channel allows sport organizations to share information, resources, and articles with one another going forward and continue the legacy of the Rebound program.

Similarly, many of the resources created through the Rebound program remain available to the community. These resources, like the EDI Panel Discussion Video, the Strategic Planning Video, and the Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Report can be accessed at any time here.

In 2021, the Rebound program achieved its primary goal of supporting COVID-19 recovery for community sport organizations and created unity in the sector by facilitating peer-to-peer learning.

In addition to Rebound, the OSC created other new initiatives aimed at connecting the Ottawa sport community.

Community sport relies heavily on the contributions of staff and volunteers and the continued involvement of many different sport organizations. To celebrate the work being done by these dedicated members of the sport community, the OSC honoured eight Community Sport Heroes as part of the Community Sport Recognition Campaign. These eight members of the sport community have contributed to promoting sport in the Ottawa area. We would like to thank each of them for their dedication and tremendous contributions. To learn more about our Community Sport Heroes, click here.

To further connect the sport community, the OSC also launched In the Field of Play, a monthly newsletter designed to keep members informed regarding community sport in Ottawa. Through eight editions, the OSC shared Rebound registration information, grant opportunities, features highlighting all 2021 Community Sport Heroes and other news from around the community.

The OSC also welcomed a new board of directors, introducing two new members –  Shamir Kanji and John Cunningham – and electing a familiar face to the Ottawa sport community – David Gourlay – as President.

The OSC looks forward to working with the new and returning Board members to enrich the sporting experience in Ottawa by promoting inclusivity and accessibility in sport and continuing to help local sport rebuild and recover from the pandemic.

The sport community came together in 2021 and proved that community sport in Ottawa is ready to thrive and can overcome the challenges with which it is presented. The power of community is strong, and the OSC is proud to be member of this very special community.

2021 showed that tremendous potential exists when sport organizations come together. In 2022, the Ottawa Sport Council is excited to continue to help the sport community realize that potential.

When thinking about the importance of sport participation, the focus can often centre around youth participation. Sport, however, has no age limit and anyone who wants to participate should have the opportunity to do so.

For those who are older than the ages considered conducive to peak performance, masters sport offers an opportunity to train and compete in an organized environment. Many individuals maintain their desire to participate in sports beyond the age limits present in most forms of competition. A Masters sport community provides them a dedicated place to do so.

Masters sport is organized at regional, national and international levels. The minimum eligible age to compete is typically between 25 and 35 years old. Participants are usually classified into 5 to 10 year age groups in competition with no maximum age limit.

While youth sports are not always as accessible as they should be, they are often the primary focus of advocacy for increasing sport infrastructure in a community. It’s also important, however, to dedicate resources to older individuals who want to participate in sport and be active as they get older.

Physical activity has been shown through research to have a positive link to physical and psychological health. The most important benefits of regular activity include reduced prevalence of many diseases, as well as decreased mortality. People of all ages can gain physical, psychological, social, and emotional benefits from being active.

The rise in popularity of masters sport can also have a positive effect on others who might not be as active. By seeing your peers taking up physical activity and enjoying the benefits of it, you might be more inclined to be active yourself. For more information about the benefits of masters sport to healthy aging, read this Sport Information Resource Centre article.

On a global scale, the most notable masters sport event is the World Masters Games, organized by the International Masters Games Association. While this year’s edition was cancelled due to Covid-19, it is the largest multi-sport event in the world in terms of participants, hosting up to 30,000 athletes every four years.

In Canada, some National Sport Organizations have masters sport affiliates, like Field Hockey Canada Masters and Canadian Masters Athletics. These governing bodies ensure there is organized competition at the national level for the athletes and help facilitate their international participation in masters sport. Much like with traditional competitive sport, there are also provincial and local level organizations.

Ottawa is home to Canada’s largest masters swim club, the Nepean Masters Swim Club (NMSC). The club has roughly 250 members of varying ages. The club operates out of the Walter Baker sports centre pool in Ottawa from September to early June and provides swimmers with coaching to meet their level and access to local, national and international competitions.

Masters sport clubs like NMSC are important for the sport community. They create a space that allows anyone, regardless of age, to continue to pursue physical activity at their desired pace and intensity.

Sport tourism is one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry and offers an opportunity for community sport organizations to showcase local talent, create legacies for host communities and encourage participation in sport.

According to United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Sports tourism involves tourists who either observe as a spectator or actively participate in a competitive sporting event. UNWTO estimates that sport tourism is an 800-billion-dollar industry, represents 10 per cent of the entire tourism industry and is growing rapidly.

With such impact, sport tourism is a unique way for local sport organizations to partner with provincial and national sport organizations to host high-level competition and attract new eyes to the local sport community.

Hosting high-level sporting events brings economic activity to the community at large in the form of sport tourism, but also brings other immeasurable benefits. Hosting national- and international-level sport can create role models for young, impressionable local athletes who might have never witnessed or met elite athletes in person before. For the hosting community sport organizations, these large-scale events mean exposure throughout the host city, reaching audiences outside its immediate sport community. For the sport community in the host city, hosting such events can increase sport participation.

In Ottawa, there is a history of hosting successful sporting events. In 2017, the city hosted a range of national championships, contributing to its 2017 Sport Tourism Destination of the Year award by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance.

Ottawa, powered in part by Ottawa Tourism’s commitment to sport event hosting, has also hosted major championships and competitions staged by international organizations like the NHL, LPGA, FIBA, Red Bull and the ITF. According to Sport Tourism Canada, Ottawa ranked fifth for the 2020 Canada Sport Hosting Index.

Recently, the Rideau Canoe Club hosted the 2021 Canoe Kayak Canada Sprint Championships, welcoming more than 1200 athletes from across the country at Mooney’s Bay. Hosting an event that featured some members of the Canadian national team offers a unique opportunity for local young, aspiring canoe and kayak athletes to meet and interact with some of the country’s best athletes.

For a local sport organization, it can be daunting, however, to host such a large-scale event. There are a variety of resources that can offer guidance, like this webinar hosted by Sport Law.

The webinar tackles the why and how of hosting a sporting event. The presentation highlights:

• The benefits to local clubs and communities to hosting a sport event
• Why the bid is such an important step in attaining success
• Questions to ask when preparing a bid
• Critical elements to building a successful sport event bid
• Identifying what it means to be a great host

While COVID-19 has added some complexity to hosting a sport event, it’s clear now that it can be done safely and effectively. Sport organizations in Ottawa, like the Rideau Canoe Club, have shown first-hand that the city is still very successful in hosting such events. For additional resources, sport organizations can visit Sport Tourism Canada’s COVID-19 resource page.

Sport event hosting can be very valuable for any local community sport organization. .

Provincial, national, and international events showcase local athlete talent, promote sport to a wider population and create representation for young athletes that ideally will increase participation in sport in general within the community.

The Ottawa Sport Council is pleased to launch the OSC Community Sport Slack Workspace to help members of community sport in Ottawa stay connected.

The OSC Community Sport Slack Workspace will be launched with the continued support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund as part of the Rebound program. The program will complement and enhance the resources found in the Ottawa Return to Play Roadmap. The Slack Workspace will be a legacy of the Rebound program.

OSC Community Sport Slack Workspace

Slack is a widely used, channel-based messaging platform. It will be used to share ideas and resources, ask questions, and connect with others to strengthen the community sport sector in Ottawa. Each of the #channels in the Slack Workspace will pertain to a specific theme, as well as a #general channel for all other conversations in community sport.

What #channels will be found in the Slack Workspace?

• Strategic Planning: the process of determining what success looks like for your organization & the plan to work towards achieving success.
• Volunteer Management: the recruitment, retention, re-training, reward, and retirement of volunteers in all roles in community sport.
• Risk Management: identifying, mitigating, and communicating risks that have the potential to occur in community sport organizations.
• Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Indigeneity: the fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people such that they feel a sense of belonging.
• Safe Sport: the physical & emotional safety, concussion & injury prevention, & environments free from bullying, abuse, harassment, discrimination, & other forms of maltreatment.

Over time new channels may be added to the Slack Workspace based on the ongoing needs of community sport organizations in Ottawa.

Registration:

This is a free virtual platform moderated by the Ottawa Sport Council. The OSC Community Sport Slack Workspace will provide a platform for the community sport sector in Ottawa to connect virtually and discuss relevant topics.

After completing the registration form, participants will receive an email with a private link to join the Slack Workspace. In addition to the link to join, participants will receive further details about the expectations of joining, including:

• Slack registration instructions
• Additional information for getting started in Slack
• OSC Slack protocols
• OSC Slack rules of engagement

Register Now

We hope you will join the conversation on Slack to strengthen Ottawa community sport.

It’s essential for sport – at all levels – to have a healthy and supportive environment to maintain and grow participation in sport. To create such an environment, sport organizations must make Safe Sport a priority.

What is Safe Sport?

Safe Sport constitutes an environment where athletes can train and compete in supportive, healthy and safe surroundings. The environment must be respectful, equitable and free from all forms of physical and emotional harassment and abuse. This also includes, but is not limited to, concussion and injury prevention, promoting diversity and inclusion, and anti-bullying measures.

Physical and emotional safety is a priority. Athletes must feel safe, supported, and strengthened so that everyone has an environment that allows them to thrive on and off the field.

How do we ensure our sport community is safe?

Safe Sport education is important as training and education for everyone involved is the first step toward a safer sport community. Such training will help members better understand how to handle situations of abuse and misconduct as well as help them monitor and support one another, limiting physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. In order to prevent abuse, knowing the signs and how to prevent abuse and misconduct are key. The goal is to eliminate all abuse, with a heightened focus on youth, who may not be able to recognize abuse or misconduct directed toward them.

Emotional abuse, specifically, can often manifest itself in the form of discrimination, whether explicit or implicit. Sport organizations must take an intentional approach to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion to ensure athletes and coaches alike feel safe, supported and strengthened in their roles within the organization. Some barriers to diversity and inclusion include resistance to change, unconscious biases, and thinking that inclusion will happen organically. Training and education can help an organization overcome some of these barriers.

Sport organizations must also take an active approach to concussion and injury prevention and implement return to play policies that ensure no athlete resumes an activity without proper medical clearance.

What to do if you experience abuse?

It’s important for athletes and other members of the sport community to familiarize themselves with the available resources offered by their respective governing bodies. While your sport governing body might be your first stop, it’s also important to recognize when it might be best to approach an independent third party who can intervene.

The Canadian Sport Helpline is a national toll-free sport helpline that offers assistance to victims or witnesses of harassment, abuse or discrimination. The anonymous, confidential, and independent service will allow anyone to share and validate their concerns, obtain advice on required next steps, and be referred to other appropriate resources for follow up.

As a sport organization, what actions can be undertaken now?

As a first step, every sport organization should ensure it is fully familiarized with Safe Sport policies and protocols.

Over the past few years, Sport Canada has instituted new funding requirements for National Sport Organizations (NSOs) to address maltreatment, including adopting the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) and abiding by minimum SafeSport training standards.

An example of a protocol any sport organization can and should adopt is the Rule of Two, where no one-on-one interactions occur between athletes and coaches. This is a general rule that ensures all interactions and communications are open, observable, and justifiable.

The Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC) has produced and amalgamated a comprehensive set of resources to better understand Safe Sport. This hub  will assist all sport organizations with important research, best practices, and tools to promote safety in sport.

Sport offers more than just physical activity. Sport teaches valuable life skills that can set participants up for success in many aspects of life.

Children and young adults who participate in sport have the opportunity to learn many leadership skills that are beneficial on and off the field. Athletes recognize the importance of teamwork and trust, learn to communicate effectively, think strategically, and become aware of their own strengths and weaknesses and those of their teammates.

Teamwork is one of the most fundamental skills learned through sport. Athletes build relationships with teammates, develop mutual respect and the importance of cooperation. Teamwork also involves delegation, a skill required by successful leaders. Team building skills in the workplace can positively influence group projects, campaigns, employee engagement and motivation in the workplace.

Communication is another leadership skill that can be developed through participation in sport. Specifically through team sports, athletes develop communication skills by working with their teammates to achieve a collective goal. Communication skills are vital for leaders to motivate, recognize and appreciate the great work of their departments and teams in and outside the workplace.

Sport also helps develop strategic planning and organization skills. Whether in team or individual sports, participants rely on strategy to achieve their goals. Athletes also learn to develop strategies on the spot to overcome any unexpected adversity. Leaders outside sport always have the ultimate goal in mind and have to be organized in developing strategic plans for their teams to operate efficiently and effectively.

Finally, sport helps individuals develop self-discipline and understanding. Self-discipline from sport can teach athletes what they need to improve upon by helping them recognize their own skillset. When faced with a difficult challenge in a team setting, for example, it’s important to acknowledge when your skillset doesn’t suit the task and when someone else’s does. This is true outside of sport as well. Leaders are not perfect and are constantly improving and acknowledging their weaknesses, allowing others to take the lead when necessary; this allows a team to operate as efficiently as possible.

A study published in Human Kinetics in 2017 looked at how participation in sport and other factors affect student leadership skills. Student-athletes scored significantly higher than non-athletes in overall transformational leadership, particularly in two indicators: management of self and management of feelings.

In a 2014 survey of women executives by EY Women Athletes Business Network and ESPNW found that 74 per cent said a background in sport can help accelerate a woman’s career, and 61 per cent said involvement in sports contributed to their career success. Another 2014 study published in the Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies found that men who played varsity-level sports in high school “appeared to demonstrate higher levels of leadership and had higher-status careers.”

Such evidence linking leadership skills with participation in sport, particularly at developmental ages, reinforces the value and benefit of youth participation in sport.

Sport develops leadership skills and leadership skills are important in and outside of the sport world. These skills help create successful teams on the field, effective leaders in the workplace and most importantly, foster individual personal growth.