June 13, 2007 – Here is the latest from CAAWS – Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity:

Call for Youth Leadership Facilitators

In response to public demand for leadership workshops targeted to a younger audience, CAAWS has recently developed a youth leadership workshop designed for girls and young women (ages 15-20) who are involved in sport, recreation and physical activity as athletes, coaches, volunteers and hope to continue to contribute to sport in their future career or through volunteer activities. CAAWS has made the initial investment in the leadership program by developing the content and piloting the sessions and is now seeking qualified individuals to be trained as “Youth Leadership Facilitators” (YLFs). Each YLF selected will receive comprehensive training in the delivery of the youth leadership workshop and will subsequently be required to deliver the workshop to the target audience in her own community.

To download information click here or contact Krista Benoit at kbenoit@caaws.ca

New Team Spirit Programs for Aboriginal Girls and Young Women

Now in the final year of project funding, CAAWS and the Aboriginal Sport Circle have selected four new programs to participate in Team Spirit. Each will receive $3,000 in program funding and benefit from a consultation and planning meeting in their community. The Hamlet of Chesterfield Inlet (Northwest Territories) will develop a recreational gymnastics program. “Paddle Power,” a partnership between the Pender Harbour Community School Society and the Sechelt Indian Band, will provide a dragon boat and kayak program on the Sunshine Coast (British Columbia).

The “Girls Sports Circle”, delivered by Eskasoni Culture Recreation Youth (Nova Scotia), will introduce participants to soccer, rugby and volleyball. Eel Ground First Nation (New Brunswick) will develop a girls’ volleyball club. These new programs will join others led by Joe Duquette High School and the University of Saskatchewan, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Winnipeg, the Ahkwesahsne Mohawk Board of Education, the Nawash Board of Education, and the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary.

Team Spirit: Aboriginal Girls in Sport is a national project to increase community sport opportunities for Aboriginal girls and young women. Team Spirit is a partnership between the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) and the Aboriginal Sport Circle. The project is funded by Sport Canada, a branch of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

For more information about Team Spirit: Aboriginal Girls in Sport click here.

June 21 – National Aboriginal Day

In cooperation with national Aboriginal organizations, the Government of Canada designated June 21 National Aboriginal Day. This date was chosen because it corresponds to the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, and because for generations, many Aboriginal groups have celebrated their culture and heritage at this time of year. National Aboriginal Day is a wonderful opportunity to become better acquainted with the cultural diversity of Inuit, Métis and First Nations peoples, discover the unique accomplishments of Aboriginal peoples in fields as varied as agriculture, the environment and the arts, and celebrate their significant contribution to Canadian society.

National Aboriginal Day events are held in every region across the country. For a detailed list of activities, or to get involved in organizing festivities in your area, visit the events page here or contact an Aboriginal community or organization near you, or the local Indian and Northern Affairs Canada office.

Sports Officials Canada and Fox 40 recognize Judith Tutty

Sports Officials Canada and Fox 40 International Inc. sponsor an annual National Officiating Awards Program recognizing a male and a female technical official/judge who have made a significant contribution to officiating at the national and international level. The 2007 Fox 40 female honouree is Judith Tutty of Mississauga, ON. Judy has been officiating with Canoe/Kayak and Dragon Boat Racing for 33 years. Since 1973 Judy has officiated at local, provincial and national events in all three sports. Her national record includes every Canadian Sprint Canoe/Kayak national championship since 1979. In 2007 she was the Chief Official at the Canadian Championships held in Regina. Judy was appointed to officiate at 3 Canada Summer Games and the 2005 Pan American Canoe Championships. She holds international officiating accreditation for Canoe/Kayak and for Dragon Boat Racing. She is an outstanding example of the dedication of technical officials to sport in Canada.

For full details click here.

Funding Opportunities

The Alberta Healthy School Community Wellness Fund will fund projects that promote healthy school communities and aim to improve the health and wellness of school-aged children and youth. There will be two categories of funding:

Grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 for larger projects that have the potential to be continued for up to three years, Grants for up to $10,000 for smaller school community projects and specific components of larger projects. Applications for smaller grants will be available starting in fall 2007. The application deadline for the large grant proposals is June 30, 2007.

Application guidelines and forms are available here.

Upcoming Events

4th Annual Every Woman in the World Conference For Women Who Move!
Whistler, BC: June 15-17, 2007

The Every Woman in the World Conference is a weekend conference getaway inviting all women to share in the fun experience of learning new activities and skills by participating in back-to-back introductory mind and predominantly active movement. ProMOTION Plus will be hosting a Creating Work/Life Balance workshop as part of the Every Woman Conference.

For details click here.

ProMOTION Plus Annual General Meeting

Wednesday, June 20, 2007
6:30 – 8:00 pm
Room 106 – 1367 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC

There will be a special guest speaker, membership raffle and updates on activities. A chance to network and enjoy an interesting and informative evening!

Resources – CBC website highlights Canadian Women Sport Pioneers

The CBC has taken video and radio footage from its archives to create a tribute to Canadian Women Sport Pioneers on its website. It is called Fair Game: Pioneering Canadian women in sports and highlights such athletes as Bobbie Rosenfeld, Nancy Greene and Hayley Wickenheiser, women who not only excelled in their chosen fields but were instrumental in shattering stereotypes of the female athlete.

Click here for details.

www.caaws.ca