With September upon us, the kids are back to school and life seems a bit more scheduled. New registration for the Fall/Winter season of many clubs and sports is well under way! With an abundance of sport activities to choose from in our beautiful city of Ottawa, how do you decide?
If you’re a parent of small children and just moving into the world of organized sports, the task at hand can be incredibly overwhelming. A great starting point is to assess your child’s interests and capability. Making a short list of area sports and recreation clubs, what they offer and their price points is another excellent way to review your options. Lastly, you will want to ensure you realistically have the time to dedicate to the choice you make. Figure skating, for example, is often two to three days per week, depending on degree of training and can be later in the evening. For some children, this can be tiring after a long day at school, while for others, it proves to be no issue at all.
If your children are older and have been participating in various sports, you are well seasoned and likely have the scheduling down pat! However, as children get older, their social life and school work load usually increases and balancing an active lifestyle with increased responsibility can become difficult. It is a great time to have a discussion with your children about what they feel they can handle and in what sports they want to remain active.
The Ottawa Sport Council is working to create a comprehensive listing of ALL sporting organizations in Ottawa to ensure all of the information is in one location. The existing list is comprehensive, but not yet complete. If you are looking for a club, check it out
Whatever your family decides, incorporating sport as part of a healthy lifestyle is very important. Staying active improves sleep, moods and overall focus. There is a wealth of benefits, such as socialization, leadership skills and opportunities that arise from being a part of a team or even as a solo athlete. This September, take the time to evaluate your options and enjoy whatever you choose to do!