Sport for Life Society of Canada

VI Health Ministry signs agreement to develop physical literacy in pre-schools

September 10, 2019 by Admin

Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Calvin Malone has signed an agreement with Sport for Life Society for the development of a physical literacy approach in pre-schools across the Territory.

The programme will be coordinated by the Ministry of Health and the BVI Olympic Committee and will enable the Sport For Life programme to build capacity in key personnel including early child care providers and teachers as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of the project in increasing physical activity in children and youth.

Coordinator of Health Promotion Services in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Ms. Ivy George said the programme will also increase awareness of physical literacy in the Territory while improving physical activity.

The intervention will be held in four phases in identified schools in the Territory. Education, training and assessments will be carried out by the organisation in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Agriculture and Fisheries.

The programme began in August and will conclude in July 2020. Sport for Life is a non-profit organisation out of Canada whose purpose is to create cross-sectional partnerships between sport, education, recreation and health while aligning community, physical activity programming and more.

Persons seeking more information on the organisation and the intervention programme can telephone the Ministry of Health and Social Development at 468-2274.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development aspires to provide a caring and integrated system of health and social services that facilitates the recovery of human development and quality of life in the British Virgin Islands.

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee, LTAD, Physical Literacy Tagged With: BVI Olympic Committee, Long-Term Athlete Development, LTAD, Sport for Life Society of Canada

Gov’t ministries collaborate with BVIOC to introduce Physical Literacy in schools

September 9, 2019 by Admin

The Ministries of Education and Culture and Health and Social Development and the BVI Olympic Committee have joined forces to increase physical activity in the daycare/preschoolers and primary school students through physical literacy in the Territory.

Last week during their annual professional development initiative the Ministry of Education and Culture with support from Sport for Life Canada trained pre and primary school teachers in physical literacy.

During a Lyte Vibrations interview Education Officer, Ms. Hieda Selwood and Physical Literacy Specialist Ms. Jessica Waterman explained what physical literacy is, why it is important and why teachers and parents should promote it.

Physical Literacy is the competence, confidence and motivation to enjoy a variety of sports and physical activities.

“We are trying to promote movement across the curriculum. It is our hope that if we foster physical literacy in the lives of our children they will grow up to be healthy adults thus promoting a healthier Virgin Islands,” Ms. Selwood explained.

As part of the workshop classroom and physical education teachers were introduced to physical literacy concepts, resources and information.

According to Ms. Waterman the training which featured theory and practical sessions focused on five key concepts. “We want teachers to promote physical literacy in programs and activities that are fun, challenging, inclusive, participant centered and by making sure that the children are always moving with purpose,” she said.

Parents and guardians are also encouraged to increase their children’s physical activity on a daily basis and support efforts to promote physical literacy in the Territory.

Physical literacy increases physical fitness and health, healthy lifestyle habits, social skills, physiological wellness, cognitive skills and educational success.

Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee, Physical Literacy Tagged With: BVI Olympic Committee, Physical Literacy, Sport for Life Society of Canada

BVIOC / CANOC complete 4th workshop in LTAD series – Periodization & Planning

February 14, 2017 by Admin

BVIOC LTAD Periodization Feb 2017 0463 The BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) in partnership with the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), Canada Sport for Life Society (CS4L), Canada Olympic Committee (COC) and Olympic Solidarity hosted the 4th Workshop on Long Term Athlete Development with emphasis on Periodization and Planning.

The two-day workshop which took place on February 9 and 10, 2017 at the Government Training Division Conference Room, focused on time management as a planning technique. It provides the framework for arranging the complex array of training processes (skill development, strength training, regeneration) into a logical schedule to bring about optimal improvements in performance.

The facilitator was Mr. Istvan Balyi of Sport for Life, Canada, a Planning and Periodization expert who worked with 17 different National Teams as a high performance advisor. He has led program development in the United States, South Africa, England, Ireland, Sweden and Bahrain.

On day one representatives of the six selected sports, Basketball, Archery, Track & Field, Rugby, Sailing and Football met with Mr. Balyi to analyze the work done so far on the Long Term Development of their sport.

Periodization & Planning workshop facilitator, Istvan Balyi addresses BVI sports representatives. Photo: BVIOC

The workshop was well received by the participants who represented the Basketball (3), Football (4), Rugby (2), Sailing (1), Archery (1), Track & Field (4), Volleyball (4), and Softball (2) Federations. Physical Education teachers (2) were also present. Also present was Mrs. Heida Joyles Selwood, the supervisor of Physical Education at the Ministry level

Raymond ‘Chi Chi’ Fonseca of Volleyball said “the presentation was awesome and enlightening. I have learned a lot about the importance of nutrition, mental and physical preparations of the athlete. I am now more aware of the concepts of burn out, over training, peaking and tapering”. He wishes that the workshop could be run again in the near future.

Supporting the comments of Raymond was Dwayne Rubaine also of Volleyball, “As coaches we need to be more prepared and this knowledge that we have received will foster better preparation of coaches and athletes that should lead to greater success.”

Jason Edwin of Basketball said “The information received leads us to realize that now is the time to get rid of a lot of misconceptions. Structure must be put in place and a national sport calendar is crucial to the development of the sport of basketball.”

Dag Samuels of Track & Field said that the information is very valuable for all coaches but it must be implemented and passed through a process of trial and error for success to be realized.

LTAD workshop coordinator, Angeleta Bernard introduces Ephraim Penn, president BVIOC (l) and Planning & Periodization expert and workshop facilitator, Istvan Balyi of Sport for Life, Canada. Photo: BVIOC

“The BVIOC continues in its quest to improve the sport practices of our coaches and individuals who are affiliated to Sport Federations in an effort to increase the nation’s podium finishes regionally and internationally,” said Ephraim Penn, President of the BVIOC.

The workshop was number 4 in a series of 5. At the end of the series the sports of Basketball, Archery, Rugby, Sailing, Football and Track & Field should have a document outlining the Long Term Development of their sport.

The coordinator Mrs. Angeleta Bernard was very disappointed with the turn out. “Some coaches designated by their Federation did not show up and having noted the enthusiasm of those present and the questions asked, the absent ones would have benefitted. However, I am confident that with implementation of the periodization plan, the sports that were present will add to the successes they have

Filed Under: Archery, Athletics, Basketball, BVI Olympic Committee, CANOC, Football, LTAD, Rugby, Sailing Tagged With: BVI Olympic Commitee, CANOC, LTAD, Periodization, Sport for Life Society of Canada

BVIOC set to host CANOC Long Term Athlete Development Workshop on Periodisation

February 7, 2017 by Admin

Group work at the launch of the Long Term Athlete Development and Physical Literacy workshop in February 2016. Photo: BVIOC

The BVI Olympic Committee will be hosting the CANOC Long-Term Athlete Development Workshop in Tortola, British Virgin Islands from Thursday, February 9 – 11, 2017.

The fourth workshop in the Caribbean LTAD series will be facilitated by Mr. Istvan Balyi of Canada Sport for Life Society.

The focus is on periodization which is time management as a planning technique. It provides the framework for arranging the complex array of training processes (skill development, strength training, regeneration) into a logical schedule to bring about optimal improvements in performance.

The workshop is offered to all sporting organisations and those involved in coaching sports.

The first session took place in February 2016 and covered the key factors pertinent to athlete development and the 5 basic ‘S’s of training and performance – Stamina (Endurance), Strength, Speed, Skill, and Suppleness (Flexibility).

The second session, which took place in May 2016, focused on discussing the project outlines in the areas of Sport, Health and Education that followed on from the first workshop.

The third session took place in September 2016. The interactive session on Physical Literacy address looked at the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life.

The Physical Literacy Workshops are supported by the Sport for Life Society of Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Health.

For more information contact workshop coordinator, Mrs Angeleta Bernard.

Filed Under: Archery, Athletics, Basketball, BVI Olympic Committee, CANOC, Football, LTAD, Rugby, Sailing Tagged With: BVI Olympic Commitee, Canadian Olympic Committee, CANOC, LTAD, Sport for Life Society of Canada

Participants at third Physical Literacy workshop call for national health and fitness policies

October 4, 2016 by Admin

Participants of the 3rd Physical Literacy workshop hosted by the BVIOC Sept 27-28. Photo: BVIOC

Participants of the 3rd Physical Literacy workshop hosted by the BVI Olympic Committee Sept 27-28. Photo: BVIOC

A two-day Physical Literacy workshop came to a successful conclusion on September 28. The interactive seminar organized by the BVI Olympic Committee and conducted by Drew Mitchell, Director of Physical Literacy for the Sport for Life Society in Canada, was the third session in a campaign which looks at “the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life.” – The International Physical Literacy Association, May 2014.

In attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Health & Social Development (elderly caregivers, nurses, social workers), Ministry of Education & Culture (Day Care Center and Pre-School teachers and managers, Physical Education teachers, prison officers, Liaison officers for healthy schools) and Sport Federations.

“From information gathered from the evaluation submitted by the participants, there is a clamor for national legislation that will govern Physical Literacy from the Day Care to the senior level,” said Ms Angeleta Bernard, event coordinator. “As a result of this session, 7 new projects have emerged which will be rolled out as and when the details and logistics are completed.”

“Much has been learned at this workshop,” said attendee Ms. Yonette Adams Wintz, Director, New Life Learning Centre. “We focused on the development of the whole child which includes health and fitness. It would be excellent to see national policies on health and fitness put in place and implemented to benefit everyone in the community, starting from early childhood to old age. We need to see action since a healthy community builds a healthy nation/ territory. However, we will need support from the entire community if the resulting projects are to get off the ground and succeed.”

Recommendations by participants included that Physical Education should be taught at least three times per week, monitored free play should be an integral part of Day Care and pre-School routines, each school should have a PE teacher, and that PE teachers should assist in day care centers when and where possible.

Certificates were awarded to the participants who commended both the presenter, Mr. Mitchell and the BVIOC for introducing Physical Literacy to the nation.

The fourth workshop on periodization of sport training will be held in February 2017. Interested parties should contact the BVI Olympic Committee on 494 6920 for more information and to reserve their space.

The first session took place in February and covered the key factors pertinent to athlete development and the 5 basic ‘S’s of training and performance – Stamina (Endurance), Strength, Speed, Skill, and Suppleness (Flexibility).

The second session, which took place in May, focused on discussing the project outlines in the areas of Sport, Health and Education that followed on from the first workshop.

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Filed Under: BVI Olympic Committee Tagged With: BVI Olympic Commitee, Physical Literacy, Sport for Life Society of Canada

Third Physical Literacy workshop to help develop youth in sports

September 27, 2016 by Admin

Group work at the launch of the Long Term Athlete Development and Physical Literacy workshop in February 2016. Photo: BVIOC

The third Physical Literacy workshop is underway, running from September 27 – 28 at the Fort Burt Hotel Conference room.

The workshop, organized by the BVI Olympic Committee and conducted by Drew Mitchell, Director of Physical Literacy for the Sport for Life Society in Canada, is directed at sports coaches and representatives of the territory’s national sport federations as well as day-care and pre-school teachers and managers, health care providers and elderly care givers.

“Physical literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life.” – The International Physical Literacy Association, May 2014

Research shows that without the development of Physical Literacy, many children and youth withdraw from physical activity and sport and turn to more inactive and/or unhealthy choices during their leisure time.

Miss Beverlie Brathwaite, an Education Officer attached to the Ministry of Education sees Physical Literacy as a positive vehicle to champion the cause for a healthier nation and success in the classroom.

“Just as there are basic skills in literacy and numeracy which, when mastered, help students to become competent and motivated, we now know that there are basic skills in movement which have the same effect on students’ confidence, competence and motivation. Also, since there is growing research evidence of the positive link between physical activity and academic success, we see this exposure to Physical Literacy as a gateway to both healthy lives and academic success for our students.”

This workshop aims to also give assistance to the selected sports of Football, Rugby, Tennis, Sailing, Basketball, Athletics, Archery and Swimming as they continue the task to complete a Long Term Athlete Development pathway for their sport.