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.

The Ottawa Sport Council (OSC) is pleased to launch its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Survey. This survey seeks to learn how the OSC can support community sport organizations with tools and training to  create inclusive and accessible sport environments.

The Ottawa Sport Council believes that everyone should have access to positive sporting experiences. In 2021, the Ottawa Sport Council began delivering programming to the community  sport sector to address the need for more diverse, equitable, and inclusive opportunities. This included a 1-hour panel discussion video (watch here) followed by facilitated discussions (Huddles) amongst the community.

Based on the Huddle conversations. we recognized that work needs to continue to support the sector in its DEI efforts. To understand what is required, we have partnered with INclusion INcorporated to deliver this survey. We are interested in how we can help to build capacity and supports for community sport organizations in their diversity and inclusion work. Our goal is to equip the sector with tools which will create affirmative environments for all participants and foster a strong sense of belonging.

The survey includes questions about your experiences and those of your sport organization, the current diversity and inclusion practices in your organization, support you and/or your organization has in the DEI space, and what further support is required.

We invite you to answer as honestly and openly as possible, so that the Ottawa Sport Council can understand the best ways to provide support.  

Click here to complete the survey.

We would be appreciative of your response by June 30, 2022