First Physical Literacy Summit in Peterborough a Huge Success
Written by admin, April 19, 2016
April 19, 2016 – 100 + people attended the Central East Physical Literacy Summit: “Physical Literacy for Lifelong Participation”
The Central East Physical Literacy Project hosted its first Summit “Physical Literacy for Lifelong Participation” this past weekend at the Holiday Inn. Over 100 participants came together to learn, network and strategize to raise awareness about the importance of getting the residents of Peterborough participating in physical activity across the lifespan.
“Literacy has provided us with knowledge and now physical literacy can convert that knowledge into action. The seeds of a healthy lifestyle were sown at the Summit,” said Dr. Dean Kriellaars, Canada’s renowned physical literacy researcher and advocate from the University of Manitoba. “I was struck by the level of engagement of the participants; they were inspired and motivated to be the change makers in their communities by becoming physical literacy champions.” Dr. Kriellaars was joined by
Brandy Tanenbaum, co-lead of the Play Safe Initiative from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre to deliver keynote addresses.
The Summit also provided an opportunity for representatives from differentorganizations to come together for the first time to discuss physical literacy. “It was great to see representation at the summit from several sectors including sport, recreation, education, early child care and health, come together to be the catalyst to make change in the community to learn how to provide quality physical literacy instruction and recreational opportunities for children and people of all ages,” said Claire Townshend, Healthy Kids Community Challenge Coordinator.
The Central East Physical Literacy Summit was one initiative of the Central East Physical Literacy Project that was formed as a collaborative of agencies including: Peterborough Public Health, the YMCA of Central East Ontario,
the City of Peterborough, the Peterborough Healthy Kids Community Challenge, Girls and Boys Club of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Public Health, Kawartha Lakes Sport and Recreation Council, Northumberland Sports Council and Trillium Lakelands District School Board. The Central East Physical Literacy Project aims to engage leaders in sport, recreation, health, education, and municipal government in order to provide education and training that will foster communities where residents are active for life. Funding for the Summit was provided in part by the Government of Ontario and RBC Learn to Play Project grant, with the goal to help children develop the confidence and skills they need to enable them to play, and become happy, healthy and active for life.
“Physical literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life.” – International Physical Literacy Association
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For further information, please contact:
Claire Townshend
Healthy Kids Community Challenge Project Coordinator
Peterborough Public Health
705-743-1000 ext. 355