Media Op - Inspiring Coaching Excellence

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Elementary and secondary coaches attend Aboriginal Coaching Course

Through the Aboriginal Sport & Wellness Council of Ontario, elementary and secondary coaches in Thunder Bay will have the unique opportunity to participate in a day long workshop that will provide a greater understanding of coaching through an Aboriginal lens. Participating coaches will learn new ways to motivate, inspire and lead Aboriginal peoples in sport, recreation, physical activity and life. The one day Aboriginal Coaching Course will be held at the Lakehead Public Schools Jim McCuaig Education Centre for elementary coaches on Thursday, March 29 and for secondary coaches on Friday, March 30.

“We are extremely fortunate to have someone from the Aboriginal Sport & Wellness Council of Ontario come to Thunder Bay to facilitate this session, “says David Pineau, Activities Director. “The entire session will be based on the Aboriginal Coaching Manual, a document that is an essential resource for people who coach or supervise Aboriginal peoples in physical activity, recreation and sport.”

The Aboriginal Coaching Manual (ACM) was developed as a supplement to the National Coaches Certification Program (NCCP) in order to:

• Provide culturally relevant information aimed at coaching Aboriginal student-athletes
• Increase the capacity of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal coaches in leading Aboriginal peoples
• Improve the quality of the sport experience for Aboriginal student-athletes
• Improve the understanding of the application of Aboriginal cultures in sport and coaching
• Provide the Canadian sport system with access to traditional Aboriginal knowledge

The sessions will be facilitated by an Aboriginal Sport & Wellness Council of Ontario staff member and will focus on the following three main sections:

Holistic Approach to Coaching

• The benefits of creating a positive environment
• Learning about the teachings of the medicine wheel
• The physical, mental, cultural and spiritual aspects of coaching
• The four pillars of respect, integrity, honesty and trust
• The importance of community members and trust

Dealing with Racism in Sport

• Definitions of racism
• How to respond to racism
• Codes of conduct
• How to deal with racist and discriminatory situations

Lifestyle, Health and Nutrition

• Lifestyle, health and nutrition specific to Aboriginal peoples
• Understanding the community in which the participants live
• The effect of history on lifestyle and health

The Aboriginal Sport & Wellness Council of Ontario (ASWCO) is the Provincial Territorial Aboriginal Sport Body (PTASB) for Ontario and provides input and services around the North American Indigenous Games, National Aboriginal Hockey Championships and many other regional games throughout Ontario and Canada. The ASWCO promotes healthy living and offers training, certifications and support for coaches, athletes and other organizations in each of the 3 regions, North, Central and Southern Ontario.

Thursday, March 29
12 noon
Jim McCuaig Education Centre
2135 Sills Street