Angus Mortimer - Athlete, Kayaker (Ottawa, ON)

“Since I was 10 years old I wanted to compete in the Olympics. In 2008 I realized that dream. But what I have learned after the games is that the important part was the 12 years between when I established my goal and then finally achieving it. That is, the people that helped me along the way, the people I hopefully inspired, and the lessons that I learned that should be passed on to others.”

Bailey Green - Student, Charlottetown Rural High School (Charlottetown, PEI)

“I think people need to know that any contribution that they can make is significant. People need to know that True Sport can bring people and communities together, and that it will bring them together if they embrace the principles.”

Bree DeButte - Teacher, Upper Canada District School Board (Brockville, ON)

“I have seen firsthand the difference True Sport makes. As a coach, I embody the True Sport principles with my team. We sign contracts and have talks about True Sport at games and practices. As a teacher, True Sport directly relates to Character Education, which is something we bring into the classroom each and every day.”

Brian Gaudet - Correctional Officer, Correctional Services of Canada (Moncton, NB)

“Sport can assist in defining just who we are. It crosses all levels of society and opens doors which otherwise might remain closed. True Sport is about upholding the pure and positive aspects of these competitions. I want to share with others what sport has given to me.”

Brian Sloan - Student/Respite Worker/Community Leader (Redcliff, AB)

“I now coach a junior high basketball team and through that I teach fair play, good sportsmanship, keeping it fun, and respecting others both on and off the court. During tryouts I don't just look at skill but I look for good leaders and honest players.”

Cassidy Campeau - Student/Athlete, Community Sport Leader (Ottawa, ON)

“Sport alone can bring a community together. Some of the best community gatherings happen at outdoor skating rinks, soccer fields and baseball diamonds. Very few other occasions bring a community together in the same way sport does. I would like for every child to have the opportunity to become involved in any sport.”

Chris de Sousa Costa - Personal Trainer / Fitness Consultant, Sports Performance Centres / The Granite Club (North York, ON)

“True Sport has all the potential to be a worldwide movement and that sport is a good thing and can have a positive impact in all communities around the world. People should know that they live many of the True Sport principles everyday without even knowing it. Recognizing these principles and spreading its values can help others achieve their full potential in sport and in life.”

Chris Owen - Community Leader (Hamilton, ON)

“I believe in the True Sport movement because I think that all sport should have a level playing field. And a level playing field and drug free sport is attainable.”

Corina Mark - Doping Control Officer, Canadian Centre for Ethics and Sport (Toronto, ON)

“I believe in the values that all athletes should play on a level playing field. When it comes to fair play and sportsmanship, I believe that leading by example is the best way to go.”

Danielle Cyr - Pictou Recreation, (Pictou, NS)

“True Sport is such a simple concept, but we have to commit. It is not a step by step program – it is in us, it is our responsibility. When we go for it, play fair, respect others, keep it fun, stay healthy and give back it creates a positive experience for everyone. And in the end, that is what we are all looking for, that is why we all play, coach or watch. When this positive experience happens, it goes beyond sport and into our lives and communities.”

Danny Fee - York University (Toronto, ON)

“I live the True Sport principles by incorporating them into every aspect of my life in the world of sports. As an athlete, I play sports as a way to have fun, stay healthy and active, and meet great people. When playing sports, I have always maintained fairness and respect for others of with whom I've competed. I take time to give back to the community by coaching sports so that I can share my knowledge with the next generation of True Sport Champions.”

Dany Rioux - Agent De Contrôle De Dopage, Cces (Quebec, Qc)

“parce que je crois qu'il est possible de faire en respectant en se respectant et étant en santé. Je crois aussi que les performances sportives accomplient par des athlètes qui n'usent pas drogues sont en quelque sorte plus méritoires que ceux en usent.”

Darren Peterson - Sport Services Coordinator, City of Vancouver, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation (Vancouver, BC)

“I'm a strong believer in sport and all of the many benefits that sport can bring to individuals and communities. Promoting the True Sport Values and Principles is a positive thing to do that can make a big difference.”

Dina Bell-Laroche - Partner, Centre for Sport and Law (Kanata, ON)

“For years I have believed that sport can be a force for good. My professional and personal belief is that good sport can make a significant difference in the lives of Canadians, especially children. That is why I continue to promote and speak about the importance of fair and ethical sport. True Sport makes this possible by connecting my words to a national movement that supports the fundamental values and beliefs that Canadians care about.”

Douglas Duncan - Project Manager, Speed Skating Canada (Kanata, ON)

“A commitment to true sport is publicly declaring that you believe in a safe and welcoming environment which promotes inclusion, excellence and fun. The Principles of True Sport provide a clear vision of how sport should be both delivered and practiced and a standard to strive for on a daily basis as a participant - be it as an athlete, coach, official or administrator.”

Emily Rowell - Community Leader; Student, Brookswood Secondary School (Langley, BC)

“True Sport reflects the values that sport should have. Sport has the capacity and the ability to change lives but often the competitive piece discourages people or nasty behaviour turns the experience sour. I believe that winning has a place in the sport and success builds success. But winning should never be the main goal; success is different for every team.”

Evan Chamakese - Teacher, Pelican Lake First Nation (Leoville SK)

“I believe in True Sport because I see first-hand what true sport can do for the development and growth for not only young people but people in general, young or old. In my community sport brings people together and helps create a sense of belonging, the True Sport principles are a way to harness this power and help empower people to not only improve their quality of life and well-being, but to bring back the some of the traditional values that we as First Nation people were once taught.”

Greg Steves - Director, Government of British Columbia (Victoria, BC)

“I believe that all children should have the opportunity to be involved in sport, both recreational and competitive. Early involvement is the cornerstone to an active lifestyle. The principles of Play Fair and Respect Others are lifelong goals that need to be pursued and preserved.”

James McNaughton - Athlete, University of Ottawa (Ottawa, ON)

“I believe that sport should be practiced in a fair manner. Cheating, and negative behaviour does nothing but undermine the benefits of sport, and ruins it for everyone. As a University Athlete, I try to keep things as fun as possible for everyone.”

Jane Steele - Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops, BC)

“I have participated in sport my whole life, live a healthy lifestyle and believe in the philosophy of True Sport. Athletes - professional or recreational, can strive to be true to their sport by playing fair, with respect, having fun and going for it.”

Jeff Malmgren - Managing Director, Vancouver Sports Network (Vancouver, BC)

“The values of sport have been an integral part of my formative experience and my life as an adult. In my playing, coaching and administrative work I've sought to promote the sound beliefs upon which True Sport is built.”

Jen Braem - Canadian National Sailing Team (Victoria, BC)

“I believe in True Sport because it embraces the values of integrity, sportsmanship, health, and active living. True Sport seeks to engage the whole community through sport, and engages people within the sporting community and beyond. Regardless of your level of performance, you can embody True Sport values.”

Jessalyn Walkey - National Women’s Field Hockey Team (Rockwood ON, Vancouver BC)

“Every time I step on the field I give my 100% striving to be the best player I possibly can be! One of the greatest rewards of sport is having fun! I always integrate fun into everyday training, practices and competition, enjoying each one with a huge smile. If any athlete, at any level, holds the core principles of True Sport in their hearts and minds while enjoying the privilege of sports and athletics, I have no doubt their reward in return will impact them positively forever!”

Jillian D’Alessio - Olympian and member of the National Sprint Kayak Team (Dartmouth, NS)

“I believe that it is my duty now to give back to the younger athletes, as a way of saying thank you to those who inspired me. Every young person should feel as though they can enter a sport and be encouraged to reach their full potential within it; I believe we, as high performance athletes both present and past, have the responsibility of creating and maintaining positive and supportive environments so that young athletes believe they can achieve all their dreams.”

Joé Fournier -Teacher, École secondaire publique Louis-Riel (Ottawa, ON)

“I believe that when used properly, sport can be a very powerful tool. People (kids especially) need to understand the core values of sport and how they relate to everyday life.”

Kyle McLellan - Community Leader; Sales Associate, Canadian Tire (Pitt Meadows, BC)

“True Sport supports great ideals that anyone can support! Go For It, Play Fair, Respect Others, Keep It Fun, Stay Healthy and Give Back are basic principles that expand into not only sport but community, family, and every other aspect of life. That is what is so great about it!”

Laura Brown - Canadian National Team Cyclist (Calgary, AB)

“As a national team cyclist competing on a world stage, I believe sport is about reaching one’s full human potential. I believe this should be done with full integrity and fairness. To truly reach your human potential, it needs to happen in a fair, respectful, and positive manner in order to look back and hold your head high knowing you were honest with yourself and with others throughout your journey.”

Laurissa Kentwothy - Program Manager, Physical and Health Education Canada (Ottawa, ON)

“The True Sport principles resonate with me - simple ideas, important values, and applicable to everyone regardless of age or ability. There is a huge need to increase the profile of True Sport and to establish the True Sport Principles as the standard of behaviour. This change will happen if we are strong enough to actively support and stand up for the sport that we believe in.”

Leslie Buchanan - Teacher, West Vancouver School District (North Vancouver, BC)

“True Sport is a great way to educate people about the values of sport ….that they can then internalize into all aspects of their life. People can use the True Sport resources to make a difference in their own lives as well as the lives of the people around them.”

Leslie Lewis - (Toronto, ON)

“I live the True Sport Principles by always "going for it". I believe growing up as an athlete has taught me that with hard work, dedication and full commitment - you will surprise even yourself.”

Lorie Jacobsen - Portage College (Cold Lake, AB)

“The values and lessons children can gain from participating in sport will carry with them through adulthood. Parents also learn that sport is not about winning or losing it is how the game is played.”

Margaret Kellaway - Vice President, Sport for the Bridlewood Community Association (Kanata, ON)

“Our goal at Bridlewood, is to get as many children out on the field as possible, learning new skills, making friends and being active in our local parks. We strive to have every child do their best while having fun and all players receiving equal playing time. Sport should not just be something that happens once or twice a week in an arena, gym or field. Ideally, sport should be part of our daily lives and it should be something that happens spontaneously with family, friends and neighbours without the need for uniforms or referees. I am encouraged when I see children of all ages and adult s playing street hockey, shinny, kick the can or other games together, making room for everyone who wants to play and having fun.”

Mary Nichol - Burlington Sport Alliance (Burlington, ON)

“True Sport values sport as a major contributor to the development of young people and encourages the concept of giving back to one's community.”

Michel Bourgault - Community Leader (La Prairie, QC)

“Que chaque individu peut changer le monde un à la fois. Si la majorité des individus adoptent des principes véhiculés par sport pur nous allons isoler les tricheurs et nous les mettront sous pression. C'est ainsi qu'on peut aspirer à un monde meilleur, un petit geste à la fois.”

Michael Ladouceur - Marketing Coordinator, SportLink Greater Sudbury Sport Council (Sudbury, ON)

“Sport helped me grow as a leader and I feel the experience earned while playing sport at a young age is something that any person can carry forward with them forever. True Sport advocates this message and helps keep it at the forefront of competition. The Principals are transferable to any category in life, and I am a strong believer that living True Sport is merely being true to oneself, and expressing it further.”

Molly Killingbeck - Coach, Athletics Canada (Port Credit, ON)

“Health and wellness is a huge part of my lifestyle and I always look for opportunities to promote a healthy active living. I believe sport and physical activity can contribute to one’s health and well being and since I am surrounded by youth and I try to lead by example; making good decisions. I encourage kids to make good food choices, play, have fun, be inclusive and be to respectful.”

Rachel Corbett - Co-Founder/Principal, Centre for Sport and Law (St. Catherines, ON)

“The practice of True Sport produces benefits that cannot be achieved through other means. We (Centre for Sport and Law) are in business to help sport organizations act legally, ethically and fairly and in so doing to fulfill their full potential and achieve their vision.”

Robin Buchanan - Physical Education Mentor, School District #17 (Oromocto, NB)

“In School District #17, we have created a True Sport Athletic Contract which promotes all the Principles of True Sport. All members sign and promote it during all practices and games; students, coaches, officials and parents.”

Rob Derman - Canadian National Skeleton Team (Calgary, AB)

“Much like every National Team athlete I think that these principles have helped us reach the level we have even without us being conscientiously aware of it, and it's for that reason that I am a True Sport Champion.”

Sarah Groom - Horizon Health, (Chamcook, NB)

“I believe that the principles of True Sport serve as a vehicle to teach the youth of today to not only be active but to teach them to be better citizens enabling them to become ambassadors of sport and positive lifestyle choices.”

Sarah Teetzel - Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management, University of Manitoba (Winnipeg, MB)

“Sport and physical activity teach us so much more than athletic skills. True Sport taps into the values we can all learn from sport and highlights the importance of ethical behaviour, fair play, and respect.”

Sebastian Tetreault - Teacher/Coach, Sporty Life (Ottawa, ON)

“I think sport gives kids a giant toolbox to use while they are growing up. Whether you do sports or not, you will need perseverance, heart, respect; and that is exactly the message that True Sport tries to send.”

Tim Bjornson - Executive Calgary Sports Council (Calgary, AB)

“Understanding the essence of sport is in the enjoyment of participation. The True Sport Principles provide a framework for positive involvement and common language across sport activities.”

Tim Sharon - Quality Process Facilitator, Aluma Systems Industrial Services (Edmonton, AB)

“As a family we have always maintained that the main goal of involving our kids in sport was to develop social and community ethics in our boys. My background is in the Scout Movement and I noticed from the start of our kids involvement in sport that there was not enough support at the grass roots level for parents coaches and kids in developing long term involvement and character development and community engagement. True Sport is changing that.”

Tim St. Pierre - Professional Athlete, Edmonton Eskimos (Edmonton, AB)

“I personally live the True Sport values everyday and wish to spend my life helping youth develop into well-rounded adults. I believe in the power of chasing your dreams and living a very balanced lifestyle that incorporates physical activity and social interaction. I enjoy spreading the value of sport largely because of how it has positively affected my life. I owe a great deal to the community leaders that have been involved in my life and want to continue spreading these lessons to others and Give Back.”