Calgary Partners Bring Inclusive Recreation Programming To Local Youth and Families
Calgary, Alberta – A new project aims to enhance opportunities for physical activity and recreation for Calgary families of all ability levels and in particular, for children with disabilities.
Adopting an innovative model, The Calgary Adaptive Hub: Powered by Jumpstart brings together a consortium of Municipal Recreation, sport programming and academic stakeholders, collectively supported by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, to collaborate on designing and offering better adapted programs throughout the city of Calgary. The partners include: The University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, City of Calgary Recreation, Sport Calgary, Vivo for Healthier Generations, Repsol Sport Centre and WinSport. The Hub is also being guided by the Abilities Centre in Whitby, Ontario.
A recent environmental scan identified a lack of centralized sport and recreation programming for families and children living with disabilities in Calgary. Many of these families are keen to become more active and engaged in recreation and leisure opportunities, but often just lack the knowledge or resources to do so.
“The launch of The Calgary Adaptive Hub: Powered by Jumpstart marks a huge milestone in breaking down barriers for adapted sport and recreation in Calgary,” said David Legg, Chair, Health and Physical Education, Mount Royal University. “Through this collaborative effort, we have the opportunity to translate the best evidence to optimize health outcomes for youth with disabilities through adapted sport and recreation programs.”
The Calgary Adaptive Hub: Powered by Jumpstart was created to better offer and develop sport and recreation programming among Calgary children with disabilities including physical, intellectual, mental, sensory, developmental or otherwise.
“Together, with our partners, we are bringing nationally leading adapted sport and recreational programming to our city,” shared Catriona Le May Doan, President and CEO, Sport Calgary. “Extending and building new adaptive programming will help more Calgarians and children with disabilities experience the power of sport and recreation.”
At launch, programs part of the Calgary Adaptive Hub will be offered by existing locations and include: WinSport’s Adapted Multi-Sport Program, Mount Royal University’s Children’s Adapted Physical Activity Program, Repsol Sport Centre’s Aquatic Sport Partner Training Programs and the University of Calgary’s Adapted Summer Sports Camp. Given the current environment, there may also be virtual offerings as safety remains top priority. Additional programming development is underway and will rollout as sport and recreation comes back online.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with so many great community partners in bringing the Calgary Adaptive Hub to life,” said Marco Di Buono, Associate Vice President of Programs and Operations, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “By designing bold new inclusive programs, we are creating healthier communities where all children and youth can belong.”
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About Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is a national charity committed to ensuring kids in need have equal access to sport and recreation. With an extensive, national network of more than 1,000 grantees and 289 local chapters, Jumpstart helps eligible families cover the costs of registration, transportation, and equipment, and provides funding to selected organizations for recreational infrastructure and programming. Supported by the Government of Canada through Sport Canada and the Canadian Tire Family of Companies, Jumpstart has provided more than two million opportunities for Canadian kids to get in the game since 2005. For more information, visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca.
Follow Jumpstart on Twitter and Facebook to learn about how the charity is giving kids across Canada a sporting chance.
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