Reports on recent College activities and a selection of announcements, events and initiatives in the wider education community.
Intramural programs
It's how you play
Steve Friesen, OCT, is so passionate about getting kids involved in physical activity that he intends to pursue this mission into retirement. As it is, he volunteers much of his time to creating more intramural sports opportunities in schools.
"There's such a great need," says Friesen, the Health and Physical Education department head at St. James Catholic High School in Guelph. "It's not just about getting kids healthier and more active. It's about getting more kids engaged with school and building self-esteem.
Our schools are too focused on winning and on school teams, leaving out some 80 per cent of the kids. They need sports programs too."
In 2006, Friesen was seconded from the Wellington Catholic DSB to the Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport to take the Raise the Bar intramurals program province-wide. The workshops and school visits that he conducted have resulted in tens of thousands more students getting involved in athletics.
However, government funding ran out last year, and Friesen now keeps the program running on his own - with a handful of other volunteers - while he tries to secure private funding and public grants.
But the biggest obstacle to promoting intramural sports is the "philosophy of winning, not a lack of funds or teacher volunteers," says Friesen.
"There's nothing wrong with school sports. It's always special to play for your school. But for too long, school athletics has been the only way for students to get involved with sports. Students need options, and intramurals provide that."
Experts also maintain that kids who take part in these programs are far more likely to be engaged in their education. Simcoe Muskoka Catholic DSB co-ordinator Perry Cavarzan, OCT, says, "Although varsity athletics have a place in a school culture, a thriving intramural program benefits far more students, particularly those who tend to be marginalized." For Cavarzan, it's a great example of inclusion and community building that any school can offer.
To learn more visit www.raisethebarintramurals.com.
