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.