Events in Action

All across Canada, teams, athletes and individuals are bringing True Sport to life by promoting values-based sport in their communities, schools, sport clubs and associations. There are a number of ways to introduce True Sport to your area; one of the most simple and effective methods is by hosting a “True Sport Event.” 

A True Sport Event can be a new event that specifically focuses on creating a true sport environment or it can be a pre-existing event that joins the True Sport Movement and commits to the True Sport Principles. By incorporating True Sport into sporting events, organizers, officials and participants agree that the experience will be one that promotes sport that is healthy, fair, inclusive and fun. If you already believe in and advocate for a principle-driven sport environment, this is a great opportunity to be a powerful voice and role model in your community.

In the summer of 2010, the community of Centre Hastings, Ontario, declared its Non-Motorized Regatta a True Sport Event. The annual regatta normally attracts about 150 people and involves non-motorized watercraft, such as, canoes, kayaks and pedal boats. It’s a family event with no cost to participate. Some of the regatta’s races are more competitive than others, but the focus is on family fun.

“One of the races is a father-son race,” says former Regatta Chair Harry Quart. “The father sits in the front of the canoe and the son sits in the back. There is also the crab race; four people in a canoe, but none of them have a paddle. And, there are some that are competitive as well. We award medallions to people who placed first, second and third, and then we draw for about 25 gift certificates from various merchants in the Madoc area. The final draw is for a kayak and paddle.”

Harry Quart is a strong advocate for values-based sport. He’s never one to miss an opportunity to promote True Sport in his community. “I decided to get the regatta to sign up as a member of True Sport at last year’s regatta,” says Mr. Quart. “The Reeve of Centre Hastings, who at the time was Tom Deline, actually signed the declaration right there at the regatta. We set up a True Sport booth and gave out stickers and tattoos for the kids to wear and passed out some of the brochures and we’re going to do that again this year.”

Centre Hastings also uses the event to recognize residents who are making a difference in their community. A task force/committee was established to recognize True Sport behaviour throughout the day and awards were presented to those who best embodied the True Sport Principles.

In British Columbia, volunteer True Sport champions manned a booth at the Vancouver Sun Run Fair in April 2011. Over the course of four days, three volunteers provided the public with information about the True Sport Movement. As part of the 2011 Sun Run legacy, three large banners were signed by race participants, spectators, organizers and volunteers.

“The booth was fantastic and there was lots of interest for True Sport – whether it was just simply picking up a pamphlet, signing the banner or asking for more information,” says True Sport Champion Kyle McLellan. “Almost everyone I talked to over the few days agreed that what we are doing is a good thing and it should be done more in sports – especially competitive sports. Lots of parents and teachers commented that if more people knew about True Sport and embraced the ideas and principles, sport would be better for everyone.”

Even one of our nation’s most celebrated sporting events, the Canada Games, has adopted the True Sport Principles. Both the 2009 and 2011 Canada Games were officially declared True Sport Events. At the 2011 Winter Canada Games in Halifax, True Sport booths could be found on-site. Stickers, temporary tattoos and clap banner were a huge hit with spectators. Large banners were signed by athletes, coaches and team officials from across the country and were later presented to the Halifax Metro Centre and the new Canada Games Centre as a legacy of the Games.

“The Canada Games are proud to be associated with True Sport and for our prominent Canadian property to lead the way as a True Sport Event,” says Canada Games Council President and CEO Sue Hylland. “From our oaths to facilities, athletes to volunteers, we believe in good sport and work to find both creative and pragmatic ways that we can promote and associate ourselves with the True Sport Principles.”

In particular, Ontario’s Canada Games Teams have been strong supporters of the Movement since 2005. True Sport is included in their athlete handbook, team rallies, and the True Sport logo appears on team items such as gym bags and water bottles. The athletes have also given back to their communities in a variety of ways ranging from organizing book drives to visiting a local hospital to play with the children. True Sport athletes are not only role models in their respective sports, but also in their communities.

For tips on how to incorporate True Sport into your events, visit our What You Can Do: Events page.