Recreation organizers, coaches converge in Iqaluit for conference
Coaches clinic, leadership and grant applications among topics that will be covered
The Recreation and Sport Conference will bring together recreation professionals from different communities to share their experiences and learn new ways to navigate challenges. The conference runs from October 18-20 at the Aqsarniit Hotel and Conference Centre in Iqaluit. (File photo)
Recreation staff and sports coaches from across Nunavut and northern Quebec are in Iqaluit this weekend to share ideas, network, and innovate ways to create healthy communities.
The Recreation and Sport Leadership Conference, organized by the Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut, is being held Friday through Sunday at the Aqsarniit hotel.
“This conference helps to build their capacity, deliver programs in their community, and learn their own leadership,” Aaron Robinson, executive director at RPAN, said in an interview.
He estimates 40 co-ordinators, directors and recreation staff from 14 communities in Nunavut and northern Quebec will be joining and the conference will see roughly 100 participants during the coaches symposium.
On Saturday, participants will work through a live grant application, led by Blake Skinner from the Department of Health, and be eligible to receive program funding on the spot from the government. That’s unique compared to most conferences, Robinson said.
Also that day, John Chabot, a former National Hockey League player and founder of the First Assist Initiative which is an Indigenous-run charity promoting educational achievement through sport, will deliver an address on leadership during the awards gala.
On Sunday, Chabot will run a clinic for coaches.
Other sessions throughout the weekend will walk participants through leadership in recreation, community development and preparing facilities for the winter.
“There’s always a challenge. The environment and weather is changing, and global warming is playing a role in how facilities and recreation staff are able to provide programs because it does affect the facilities and the weather we face,” Robinson said.
Most of all, he hopes participants will walk away able to implement what they have learned in their own communities.
“I think recreation staff are sometimes overworked, and maybe this gives them networking opportunities,” he said.
“Hopefully they’re inspired to continue to move forward and do the best for their community and deliver programs.”
““I think recreation staff are sometimes overworked, and maybe this gives them networking opportunities,” [Aaron Robinson, executive director at Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut] said.”
The system for supporting sports and rec, primarily for youth, in Nunavut is a municipality based model. It is clumsy and relies almost entirely on volunteers and a few CGS support staff to operate within a framework of government rules and regulations, using not for profit societies, with all that associated reporting and paperwork. The individual sports organizations have to negotiate their own agreements with local schools, which may or may not be agree to using their facilities. With only 40k population base spread over 25 communities means the sports system is precarious at best. The small cadre of dedicated volunteers, coaches and active board members that keep it running for the youth deserve accolades.
Side note – did RPAN really need to invoke climate change as a serious challenge for sport and rec?
That’s funny. While I believe man-made climate change is a real issue, seeing it invoked with the gravitas of a mystical incantation does nothing but breed cynicism and turn (some) people off.
It’s fashion I suppose, everything is climate change, not so long ago it was racism, these fads burn hot and bright. Perhaps people use these signals knowing at some subconscious level it will confer advantage by ingratiating goodwill through alignment with the right thinking of the age.