The Town of Cochrane is bringing a whole new meaning to the word ‘play.’
PLAY (Physical Literacy And You) Cochrane is a new initiative designed to develop physical literacy, not only at school, but also throughout the community.
PLAY is being put together through a collaboration between the Town of Cochrane and Sport 4 Life Cochrane.
Cochrane is one of nine Canadian communities to receive funding from the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation – an organization that says it aims to “improve the quality of life in Canada by building communities that help people develop their potential and contribute to the common good.”
Sport 4 Life Cochrane has matched the funds provided by the foundation.
Other communities that received funding from the foundation in Alberta include Edmonton and Red Deer.
Activities are planned in the community and Elizabeth Barrett and Holy Spirit elementary schools for the 2014 - 2015 school year.
Tracy Smyth, Cochrane’s manager of recreation and culture and board member for Sport 4 Life Cochrane, explained that physical literacy is the “ability of children to participate in a variety of sports successfully.”
Smyth said it teaches children fundamental movement skills that are incorporated into a number of different sports.
“Children that participate in more sports in a variety of different activities are better off in choosing activities as they get older and being active for life. It’s kind of neat,” said Smyth.
Physical literacy is something that is lacking in Canada according to the Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card. Smyth said the report shows Canadian children have a failing grade for physical activity.
“It gives me goosebumps thinking of that,” said Smyth. “We as leaders and professionals and parents have a responsibility of exposing our children to physical activity so that when they get older the next generation is healthier.”
She said that if children are not getting enough physical activity on a daily basis the health industry is going to be severely impacted by the overall health of our citizens.
The program was announced at the July 1 Canada celebrations at Mitford Park. Canadian Olympic skeleton racer Lindsay Alcock is the PLAY Cochrane ambassador and was at Mitford Park for the announcement.
Smyth said Alcock is a wonderful mentor because not only is she an Olympic athlete, but she did all 12 years of her schooling in Cochrane.
“She is passionate about this community and she knows she can identify with the importance of being in a variety of different sports,” said Smyth.
Smyth said PLAY Cochrane will be going to schools in September and they have been working with the principals of Elizabeth Barrett and Holy Spirit who have “totally embraced the idea and they want it at their schools.”
For more information on the program, visit sport4lifecochrane.com.
