The Ottawa Sport Council is pleased to introduce our latest Community Sport Heroes – the Community Sport Hosts for ‘Sports 200: Two Days. Everyone Plays.’!
The OSC was once again reminded of the tremendous spirit and dedication of our local sports organizations, which welcomed 1,200+ registered participants for free sports events across the city on June 6-7.
Organized by the OSC in partnership with City of Ottawa Recreation, Cultural and Facilities Services, the weekend served as a celebration of Ottawa’s 200th birthday alongside National Health and Fitness Day and the ParticipACTION Community Challenge.
“At the heart of a citywide try-it sport event is really the Community Sport Hosts,” underlines Ottawa Sport Council Executive Director Frances Mercer. “All the administrators, the coaches and the volunteers, it was their time, their dedication and their commitment that made the event so special.
“Sports 200 also wouldn’t have happened without the amazing support from the City of Ottawa. We’re so appreciative for the City’s dedication and commitment to building strong and inclusive sport where everyone belongs.
“And the athletes and participants were certainly a big part of it too, they brought a really great attitude and were ready to try new things. So it wasn’t just one group, it was a collaboration of everyone involved in community sport.”
The RA Centre hosted the official opening with speakers including elder Dan Ross and local Olympic legend Sue Holloway as 30+ sports were offered at various sites all over Ottawa.
The Ottawa Sport Council gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the City of Ottawa in making the event possible. That Ottawa 200 contribution was unveiled on April 29 at the Ottawa Art Gallery, and the local sports took off running to bring the first-time initiative to life.
Mercer saw many of the best qualities learned through sport shine through.
“Community sport has the experience and the ability and the determination to adapt to whatever comes up,” she noted. “There are always some challenges in community sport, but they don’t let any struggles get in the way, they pull together to find solutions and work together to give these incredible experiences to people.
“Everyone is so committed to our community and we can’t thank them enough.”
Check out our video below for highlights from Sports 200: Two Days. Everyone Plays.