Promotion Network News - ONLINE
|
Volume 10 Number 4
|
GIRLS AND WOMEN IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SPORT
What's inside this issue...
Night Hoops for At Risk Youth
Many sport and recreation professionals are creating physical activity and sport programs aimed at "youth at risk" to provide positive options for youth in their free time.
There is general consensus that all youth are exposed to some degree of risk and there are a number of factors that may affect the likelihood that youth will be at risk. Some of these factors are: individual (boredom, lifestyle), family, peers, school, community. The chance that youth will engage in "risk-producing" behaviour depends to a very great extent on the interaction of these factors. Research shows that strategies involving physical activity and recreation appear particularly promising in minimizing or removing risk factors.
Night Hoops is one program that was started to address this issue. It began in January 1996 as a pro social, late night basketball program for "at risk" youth in East Vancouver. The concept behind the program was recognition of the fact that on Friday and Saturday nights, there are few positive social alternatives for youth. It became the intention of Night Hoops to fill this gap. The athletes, age 13-18, involved in the program receive instruction in basketball as well as educational workshops that focus on topics such as job skills, health issues, and personal character development. Another component of the program is the training of coaches who are between 18 and 30 years of age and unemployed or underemployed. The coaches receive basketball coaching certification and workshops on career and personal planning. Female coaches have been actively recruited and 25 of the 151 coaches have been female.
Night Hoops began in 6 facilities with 12
teams in East Vancouver. It has now grown to 42 teams playing out of 23
facilities in 6 municipalities.
One aspect of this growth is the expansion of female participants. There are fewer opportunities for girls to participate in physical activity and there is growing recognition that programs like Night Hoops may be beneficial to girls in communities as well. Traditionally the teams have been co-ed, but, as research shows, not many girls are likely to play on co-ed teams.
Surrey Parks and Recreation recognized this fact, set out to do something about it and a girls' Night Hoops program was born. The program staff attracted girls to the program through extensive advertising and visits to local schools. Despite pressure to drop some teams due to low enrolment, they forged ahead with 4 teams and 28 girls. Being a developmental beginners team, the program attracted girls who were not currently involved in physical activity. They also kept two teams going between April and September and plan on doing this program again next summer.
These programs differ slightly from the traditional Night Hoops programs because the girls were not only referred to the program but also recruited by school counsellors, PE teachers, youth coordinators or other service providers. They still played games on Friday nights, but usually practiced during the week and in the summer played games on Saturday afternoons.
So far, Surrey is the only municipality to have a program specifically for girls. Approximately 70 out of the total of 500 athletes in all Night Hoops programs are female.
This program is beneficial to the youth involved
and to the community as a whole.
Promotion Plus Update
www.promotionplus.org
Our website has moved to www.promotionplus.org.Check out our updated site and new links. Look for a streaming audio clip powered by Destiny Media Technologies Inc. to be added soon.
Thanks to Greg Moore, Promotion Plus website creator, for all your hard work.
Staff
Farewell to Danielle Campbell, our Communications Coordinator, who has moved to Saskatchewan to further her professional experience as a Public Health Nutritionist. We wish you all the best Danielle and we'll keep in touch!
Network News Database
Promotion Plus has just updated and improved the Network News database. Our new database is designed to keep track of statistical information regarding our members and donators.
We would like to thank Inessa Rubin and Sergey Candlle, student volunteers from CDI College, for all their hard work in building the database and their patience with us in working out the bugs.
Promotion Plus would also like to ask for your patience over the next few months as we transfer our data. Please notify us of any mistakes and we will do our best to keep up. Thank you.
New Parntershiops
With the help of our Partnership Coordinator, Janna Taylor, Promotion Plus is in the process of finalizing a partnership with Sport BC. We look forward to working with Sport BC and their members to provide gender equity information in physical activity and sport.
Coaching Female Athletes
Promotion Plus and the Coaches Association of BC (CABC) have worked together to bring you a new resource Coaching Female Atheletes. The booklet is available free from Promotion Plus of the CABC and will be distributed to everyone taking NCCP Level 1 courses.
Coaching Female Athletes
We will be hosting our second annual Women's Learn to Snowboard clinic. Our goal is to get you on a board and safely down the hill. Experienced boarders are welcome to join in the fun.
Date: Sunday, January 16, 2000
Time: 6:30 pm (meet in rental building)
Place: Mount Seymour
Cost: $38 (lift pass, equipment rental, lesson) or $15 (lift ticket only)
The mountain closes at 10 pm. Boarders are welcome to stay after the lesson to practice their new skills. For more information call us at (604) 737-3075. Please register by January 13, 2000.
Thank You to Our Supporters
The staff and Board of Directors of Promotion Plus would like to thank the following people for their 1999 donations to support girls and women in physical activity and sport.
Allison McNeil, Ann Bracey, Carly McFetridge, Cheryl Closkey, Debbie Anderson, Donna Baydock, Gina Mollicone Long, Helen Yeung, Jackie Stewart, Jennifer Swan, John Eldridge, Judy Notte, Michelle McConney, Michelle Wilson, Pauline Fleming, Serena Lusk, UBC Women's Students Office.
Promotion Plus Leadership Awards
Don't miss the Promotion Plus Leadership Awards Reception on:
Thursday, March 2, 2000, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, Vancouver
Every year Promotion Plus identifies,
recognizes and celebrates the accomplishment(s) of individuals and groups
in BC who have challenged the traditional limits attributed to girls and
women in physical activity and sport, and in so doing has encouraged them
to be more active as participants, competitors, and leaders.
Everyone is welcome to attend. Tickets are $18 prepaid or $22 at the door.
Join us for a fun and exciting evening that includes:
Reception
Enjoy a variety of food and beverages as you network with Judy Rogers, board members of the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS), local female athletes, award nominees, and Promotion Plus Board and network members.
Community Trade Show
As you're mingling and networking, don't forget to check out our Trade Show with exhibitors from women's, youth, recreational and health orgranizations.
Silent Auction
Don't miss our 3rd Annual Silent Auction, where you can expect great deals on fitness memberships, pottery, gift certificates, clothing, and sports items.
Awards Reception
Join us as we honour and celebrate the accomplishments of individuals and groups in BC that have encouraged girls and women to be more active as participants, competitors, and leaders in physical activity and sport.
Keynote Speaker - Judy Rogers, City Manager for the City of Vancouver
Judy has served in the Office of City Manager for the City of Vancouver from 1994 till January 1999 when she was appointed City Manager. She is the former Executive Director of the Hastings Institute and is now the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors.
Judy also served as the former Director of the City of Vancouver's Equal Employment Opportunity Office and is currently the Chair of the Vancouver Chapter of the Institute of Public Administrators of Canada. In 1993 Judy was awarded the Lieutenant Governors' Medal for excellence in the public service in British Columbia by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada.
Judy's latest accomplishment is her appointment to the Board for the Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Olympic Bid Corporation.
Honorary Chair - Jessica Deglau, Pan American Games Gold Medallist
On the National team for the past four years, Jessica Deglau has already qualified for the Olympics in the 200m fly. At the recent Pan American Games in Winnipeg, she swam away with six medals, four of which were gold, setting a new Pan Am record for gold medals in one Pan Am Games.
One of Jessica's earliest memories was watching Mark Tewksbury win the 100m backstroke at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. "I was twelve years old, " adds Deglau. "It's one memory that has stuck with me." If that memory sticks out in her mind than her medal winning performance at the 1999 Pan Am Games will stick in the minds of Canadians for a long time. "That experience was incredible," she adds. "There's nothing like a hometown crowd cheering you on."
Nomination Forms Due by January 21, 2000
If you know someone who encourages girls and women to be more active as participants, competitors, or leaders in physical activity and sport, then nominate them by completing the enclosed nomination form (centre of newsletter) and sending it to Promotion Plus.
If you have any questions, would like to volunteer at the event, or are able to donate an item for the Silent Auction, please contact Tammy or Jessica at:
#305-1367 West Broadway, Vancouver BC, V6H 4A9 Toll Free: 1-877-55-PROMO
Tel: (604) 737-3075
Fax: (604) 738-7175
promotion.plus@telus.net
www.promotionplus.org
Great Role Models for Aboriginal Girls
Eighteen First Nations women, aged 15 to 24, have experienced months of hard work, commitment, and sacrifice as part of their participation in the Native Indian Football Association. These women are members of the only Aboriginal Women's Select Team Program and their determination paid off when they were given the chance to compete in Australia, Europe, and Florida.
In their most recent trip to Europe, from August to September 1999, these women and Head Coach, Dano Thorne, trained and competed in Holland, Germany, and Austria. In Germany, the team won by the largest margin in all the NIFA tours, 13-1 against a team from the outskirts of Munich. The teamwork paid off again when they played the Lienz Football Club in Vienna, winning a hard fought 2-1 victory. The NIFA team ended their journey in Europe by competing against their toughest team yet. A total team effort contributed to a 5-3 NIFA victory. Congratulations!
Head Coach, Dano Thorne recognizes the hard work of his team members: Stephanie Daniels, Leah Daniels, Karen Henry, Carol Ann Hilton, Fina Olsen, Noreen Paul, Cory Baker, Kara Jan Willie, Joni Sparrow, Nora Stogan, Vikki Sparrow, Amanda Williams, Cindy Pallen, Cecily George, Angela Paul, Anna Morris, Deanna Lewis, Debbie Daniels, and Trainer Kirk Harris.
Fight Against Gender Verification
Gender verification, or sex testing, has been used since the mid-sixties for the purpose of verifying "femininity" of competitors registered in women's events. The International Ski Federation (FIS), the governing body responsible for ski racing rules and regulations, requested that women Alpine skiers aged 15+ be tested for gender. With the help of Canadian Representative Dr. Bob Morell, FIS members took a stand against their governing body and fought back against gender verification. They succeeded in eliminating gender verification for this year. But the fight is not quite over yet, as FIS is planning on putting gender verification to vote again next year at the Congress.
Heath and Wellness
High Protein Diets: Healthy or Not?
The argument for a high protein diet involves the raised levels of blood insulin caused by high carbohydrate diets. High blood insulin levels can increase the risk of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, fatigue, and cancer. An important fact to keep in mind is that genetic factors, obesity, and inactivity can cause high blood insulin levels as well.
Although we can all benefit from eating smaller portions of carbohydrates, switching to a high protein diet may not be ideal. In the early stages of a high protein diet the body breaks down protein for energy, due to an inadequate supply of carbohydrates, resulting in the loss of lean muscle mass. This, however, is dangerous, so the body switches over to burning fat instead of protein. Although this may be the goal for some, there are problems related to the rapid burning of fat. When this happens a substance (ketones) builds up in the blood that causes the kidneys to work harder, resulting in increased urination. The weight loss experienced is then incorrectly attributed to fat loss instead of water loss.
It is also important to note that high protein diets, which have a tendency to be high in artery-clogging, cancer causing fat, can easily be disguised as low calorie diets. These diets are usually nutritionally unbalanced regardless of their mixture of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
"To truly lose weight, you must move your body more through exercise, eat a varied diet and aim for about 50-55% of your calories as carbohydrates, 15-20% as protein and 25-30% from quality fat sources."
Taken from www.eatingforenergy.com. Call (604) 739-3290 for more information.
What Do Physical Activity, Bone Density, and Post-Menopausal Women Have in Common?
Bone loss is associated with age for both males and females; however genetics, hormones and lifestyle affect the extent of loss experienced.
Women who are post-menopausal and inactive will experience both an accelerated rate of bone loss and an increased risk of osteoporotic fracture.
The hormonal changes occurring in the initial stage of menopause can increase the rate of bone loss. This increased rate of bone loss will increase the risk of osteoporotic fracture. Combine inactivity with these hormonal changes and you've increased the risk of osteoporotic fracture even more. An inactive, menopausal woman will lose 15-25% bone mineral density in the first five years following the initial stage of menopause. This will decrease to a 1-2% loss for every year after that.
Physical activity is a strategy being used to fight back against bone loss and osteoporotic fractures. Research has shown that exercise, especially weight bearing exercise, can reduce and even stop the rate of bone loss. Physical activity in which the bone perceives greater stress or overload increases the potential for a bone-building response; remembering that physical activity on the bone is site-specific.
The information in this article was obtained
from Active Living, Vol. 8, No. 5, September 1999.
Did you Know?
A research study has found that, for middle-aged women with a genetic predisposition to obesity, physical activity has a greater impact on weight than diet or other factors. University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter, Vol.16, No.1, October 1999
"One-half of functional decline between 30 and 70 can be attributed not to aging, but to a sedentary lifestyle." Making it Work: Focusing on the International Year of Older Persons, Spring/Summer 1999
For women, walking briskly for three hours each week will reduce the risk of heart disease by 30-40%. Active Living, Vol.8, No.5, September 1999
"If over the next five years we could reduce the level of inactivity (of Canadians) by 10% we could save about $5 billion in health care costs." Alan Rock, Minister of Health, March 17, 1998
"An estimated 2.8 million Canadian children under the age of 15 are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke in their homes." Youth and Tobacco: Lessons Learned from the Tobacco Demand Reduction Strategy, Health Canada, 1999
Resource Review
New Moon Sports
What Sports Can Do For You and What You Can Do With Sports
A new resource from New Moon, the magazine for girls and their dreams, that is made "for every girl who has been inspired by the energy of sports". This book contains inspiring quotes and interviews from athletes, Sports Myths to debunk myths that keep girls out of sports, stories from girls around the world, advice from girls, lists of activities, separate chapters on individual sports and team sports, an owner's manual for your body with an emphasis on nutrition, and a final chapter to put the fun into sport.
A fun, informative, inspiring look at sports, written and edited by girls aged 10 - 14. New Moon Sports is a great combination of information and articles to suit the aspiring Olympian or the backyard athlete. Every girl should be able to find her interest and more in New Moon Sports.
Advice from the New Moon girls may not be academic or scientific, but it comes straight from the mouths and hearts of girls, something we don't hear often enough. The book leaves you with a list of books, internet sites, and organizations for "New Moon girls to keep exploring sports".
New Moon Sports should inspire active girls to go for their dreams and the not so active to get involved and re-discover the fun of sport and physical activity. A must for girls everywhere!
To order your copy of New Moon Sports,
contact Promotion Plus. Cost: $13.00 Canadian.
Youth and Tobacco: Lessons Learned form the Tobacco Reduction Strategy, 1999
This publication, from Health Canada, is one of five summaries representing the lessons learned from community based projects and local and national resources developed under the Tobacco Demand Reduction Strategy (TDRS).
A number of research and public education initiatives were established by the TDRS due to lack of information regarding aspects of youth smoking behavior. Their conclusions and insights are summarized under the following six lessons.
Lesson One: Tobacco use prevention - start early and keep at it.
Lesson Two: Youth start smoking for a variety of reasons.
Lesson Three: Youth who smoke want to quit.
Lesson Four: Comprehensive tobacco reduction approaches have the greatest reach and impact.
Lesson Five: Successful programs are dynamic, fun and multi-issue.
Lesson Six: Programs with active youth involvement have the greatest success.
For a copy of this publication contact:
Publications Unit, Health Canada
Phone: 613-954-5995
Fax: 613-941-5366
It is also available on their website: www.hc-sc.gc/hppb/tobaccoreduction
Helping Children Develop Healthy Body Images: Information for Parents, Role Models and Caregivers,1999
The Halton Regional Social & Community Services Department has developed this resource to address the messages children in general receive from adult role models in their lives regarding body image. "People come in a variety of shapes and sizes" is the key message in this resource that children should receive from their role models.
Topics discussed in this resource include (1) development of body image including definition, time of development and influential factors, (2) defining a healthy body image and a healthy weight including tips for healthy eating from Canada's Food Guide, (3) messages sent by caregivers regarding body image, (4) helpful hints on helping children feel good about their bodies and (5) additional resources including books, pamphlets and videos. A pamphlet titled Helping Children Feel Good About Themselves accompanies this resource.
For a copy of this resource of for more information contact Halton Region, Departments of Health and Social & Community Services, Information and Access Line (905) 693-4242 or visit their website at www.region.halton.on.ca/SCS/childrenshealth.
Calendar of Events
The Wellness Show
Western Canada's largest showcase of heathly and vital living will be held on:
February 25-27, 2000
Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre.
The Wellness Show features programs, demonstrations, and special events reflecting the most up-to-date information on wellness and healthy living. For more information call (604) 983-2794.
Athlete of the Year Awards
Sport BC will be holding their 34th Annual Athlete of the Year Awards on:
March 9, 2000
Hyatt Hotel, Vancouver
For more information contact J oanne Stygall at 737-3026.
International Conference on Women, Heart Disease and Stroke: Science and Policy in Action
This conference, bringing together scientists, practitioners, policy-makers and leaders in women's cardiovascular health, will be held on:
May 7-10, 2000
Victoria, BC.
For more information call (613) 747-0262, email
gtaylor@netrover.com or visit www.hsf.ca/women&cvd2000.
Editor in Chief: Tammy Lawrence
Editor/Writer: Jessica Lanthier Administrative Coordinator
Publisher: Promotion Plus
Please contact us with any questions, comments or for more information at:
#305 - 1367 West Broadway Vancouver, BC V6H 4A9 Phone: ((604) 737-3075 toll free: 1-877-55-PROMO Fax: (604) 738-7175 email: promotion.plus@telus.net visit our website at: www.promotionplus.org