Cristin Weir’s Post

Thank you to Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities for this foundational report about the current operating context for youth participating in sport, recreation and play in Canada 👏 . A few initial thoughts & questions to consider: ❓ What do we mean by ‘sport’, vs. ‘play’, vs. ‘physical activity’ vs. ‘recreation’? The report says “motivation to play sports” – therefore the emphasis here seems to be more on sports, not on unstructured play. ❓ Where do #sportfordevelopment programs fit in terms of the organizational typologies featured in the report? I would assume – for the most part – that ‘Recreation Centres’ would deliver sport for development initiatives, but arguably, so could ‘Sports Clubs’ and ‘Afterschool Programs’. 🤔 Why does the above point matter? ➡ We need to know if/how these organizations are using sport (and play, recreation, physical activity, etc.) (un)intentionally to achieve social and community development goals (e.g., do these organizations have deliberate educational elements engrained in their programs pertaining to gender equity, sexual and reproductive health rights, climate justice, food security, etc. that are delivered vis-a-vis sport/play/recreation/physical activity to Canadian youth?) 🔵 P. 5: 2% of respondents identified as non-binary: We need to pay attention to this, as most sport programs in Canada (and globally) continue to be delivered in ways that uphold the Western gender binary system that reinforces cis-heteronormative ideologies; thereby excluding gender diverse youth (e.g., transgender, Two-Spirit, nonbinary, and gender queer youth). ❓ How can we promote more inclusive, safe and welcoming spaces for everyone to participate in sports, regardless of their gender or sexual identity; especially those for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence? 👉 We recently published an open access article to better understand how trauma-and violence-informed physical activity & sport for development may help support victims and survivors of SGBV: https://lnkd.in/gMYq4tsg 🔵 P. 49: “Girls of color have the highest proportion of youth who report not participating in sports anymore since the pandemic (8%) compared to white girls, boys of color and white boys.” 👉 Our recent publication in Sociology of Sport Journal shows that culturally safe, trauma-and violence-informed programming strive to address racism and discrimination; but also, the notion of “safety” is subjective for youth, especially for racialized girls and gender diverse youth: https://lnkd.in/grXDxpM3   📢 Come to the Women and Girls Sport Leadership Conference @ York University next Friday, April 26th, where I will be speaking alongside incredible colleagues about these issues further! https://lnkd.in/g_Jx7GDM

Huge data-rich insights here. For those in the #sustainability space, pay attention to page 40-41. 🧐 "Across all regions, racial/ethnic groups, and organization types, youth most frequently report getting to sporting activities by being driven by a family member." ... to the tune of 77%. If we want to make sport accessible into the future (and more environmentally sustainable), it's got to be walkable, bikeable, or accessible on (safe and regularly-running) public transit systems. Driving is expensive and requires an adult to have the time and flexibility to make it happen - a factor that often goes under-examined in sport accessibility (if practice is an hour, but driving to and from takes an extra 40-60min of time, that adult needs ~2hrs of free time in the evening for the kid to play). Plus, it's obviously the worst option from an enviro standpoint. It doesn't have to be this way. Great work Marco & team. 👏

I love Baltimore. It’s where my mom was partially raised. It’s where my grandparents lived for 50 years. I grew up going to Orioles games at Memorial Stadium and Camden Yards, visiting Fort McHenry and the aquarium, and eating at what was then a thriving Inner Harbor pavillion. In other words, I experienced the tourism activities. I’m privileged and only knew one part of Baltimore — a common occurrence for anyone who lived in the suburbs of Washington D.C. Like many downtown cities, Baltimore has challenges — declining population that brings lower tax revenue, funding for schools and city services, and gun violence and senseless deaths (although Baltimore’s 2023 homicide rate was its lowest in nearly a decade). Our society’s divide between the haves and have-nots occurs in so many areas of life, including which children can access sports — seemingly one thing that should be easy for all kids to experience. And yet this problem is true in Baltimore. In recent years, Baltimore has made progress to improve sports access for youth. I wrote about some developments here for Aspen Institute Sports & Society. The mayor, rec & parks department, schools, businesses, philanthropy, nonprofits and many others all have played a role to better serve Baltimore kids. There are still challenges in Baltimore, especially funding, facilities and transportation. As we see in many communities, youth sports providers in Baltimore often operate individually and without coordinated efforts to grow access. And yet Baltimore is trying and accomplishing important progress. As we bring the Project Play Summit to Baltimore in three days, that’s worth celebrating. If you’re coming to the Summit, enjoy the networking, food, panel discussions and O’s game. I hope you’ll also take the time to appreciate all of Baltimore and its efforts to improve. It’s a wonderful, complicated city that I’ve enjoyed my whole life, even as I’m still learning about all of its dimensions.

Sports should be about passion, teamwork, and growth, not financial strain. Yet, for many families, the cost of youth sports can be overwhelming. Studies show that 64% of families experience financial stress due to their children's sports activities. 🏀🏈⚽ But here's the thing: 48% of these families are determined to make it work, and 11% are even willing to take on debt just to ensure their kids can participate. No family should face financial barriers to help their child pursue their athletic dreams. At G.E.A.R., we're committed to changing this narrative. Through partnerships with community organizations, businesses, and generous donors, we're providing essential resources to alleviate financial burdens and equip athletic departments with the tools they need. 🤝💼 Together, let’s ensure that no child is left on the sidelines due to financial constraints. Join us in creating a future where every young athlete has the opportunity to shine! 🌟 #GEAR #YouthAthletics #FinancialConstraints #FinancialBarriers #YouthEmpowerment #AthleticsForAll #MakingADifference #UnlockPotential #BreakBarriers #EmpowerYouth #LevelThePlayingField #SportsForAll #AthleticEquality #YouthEmpowerment #CommunitySupport #YouthDevelopment

#NationalYouthSportsWeek ... ⚽ 🏀 🏐 🎾 ⛸ 🏉 The current youth sports ecosystem is our future, youth sports provides for our economy, our communities, our growth, our connections, and our next generation. This week we reflect and recognize the power of youth sports. But don't listen to me, go be present in youth sports in your community. Watch a local game, volunteer to help a league, donate to youth sports, take a moment this week to be present, to be involved. And while you do this, listen, observe, reflect on how youth sports has changed, the good, the not so great, and the unfortunate. Already in the youth sports community? Change up your routine, try something new. Go watch a different sport this week, connect with someone outside your circle, expand your story, learn a new technique. I commit to volunteering to help run drills at soccer practice, attend my cousin's freshman football game with my kids, and connect with a local youth sports provider. #NationalYouthSportsWeek Every Kid Sports

For over a decade, FundLife, has directly protected, educated, and empowered over 87,000 highly vulnerable children. Important work often goes unnoticed, but the impact is undeniable. In July, a long run sparked change, generating over 36 million traditional media views and leading to high-level discussions on policy improvements for over 6 million children. Actions truly speak louder than words. Despite the challenges, progress is being made. It's crucial to bridge the gap between saying and doing the right thing. The story of why we decided to move here; https://lnkd.in/gQcZW7ez #FundLife #Education #Empowerment #Impact #ActionsSpeakLouder

I am on the board of a small organization called AMINGA. We run education and sports programs for youth in West Africa. We are still raising money for the costs associated with this summer's camp. In particular, we are still short another $1500 to cover the flights from Brazil to Cape Verde for housing organizer and teacher Renato. We would love it if you could make a donation to the cause. Please make a tax deductible donation to AMINGA at: https://lnkd.in/gupUABxb The ColaBora project: ColaBora is an interdisciplinary and interinstitutional counter-mapping project in Brazil, existing since 2021. The project focuses on the squatting movement in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte (RMBH), Minas Gerais, in the southeastern portion of the country. The RMBH is the 3rd largest urban agglomeration in Brazil, counting over 6 million inhabitants. Our main goal is to develop an online platform for collaborative mapping that systematizes the knowledge generated from occupied territories, while also contributing to the strengthening and networking of social-spatial struggles. We are currently 20 people in total, including faculty, doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, masters students and undergraduate students from four Federal Universities in Brazil, in addition to activists and squatters in fluctuating numbers. Team members are from different fields, including Architecture & Urbanism, Law, Geography, Social Sciences, Computer Science, Economics and History. We have been able to achieve various results, especially in terms of data collection and expansion of our network. However, one of our major constraints is the lack of financial resources for the programming and development of our online mapping platform.

Save the date for September 4th! September 4th is Colorado’s first Youth Sports Giving Day. The average age when kids drop out of sports is 11, and younger for girls and families struggling financially. Youth Sports Giving Day aims to level the playing field. Led by the Daniels Fund, Anschutz Foundation, Weld Trust, Denver Broncos Foundation, Alpine Bank, Rose Community Foundation, Strohm Family Foundation, and other sponsors, there will be a dollar-for-dollar match to all online donations starting September 4, 2024 exceeding $800,000! Mark your calendars! The latest research report ‘Thriving Through Sport: The Transformative Impact on Girls’ Mental Health’ from Women's Sports Foundation found that… 🎾 Sport participation can lower depression and anxiety 🏑 In supportive sport settings that focus on effort, improvement and teamwork, depression symptoms are significantly lower (9.3%) vs settings where winning is the main goal and success is defined by ability compared to others (24.7%) 🏐 In sport settings where girls have more “voice and choice” over goals and activities, depression symptoms are significantly lower (10.4%) vs settings where they don’t have that opportunity (35.1%) Supporting girls in sports and supporting Girls on the Run means a brighter future for all! Save the date for Youth Sports Giving Day!

Youth sports are more than just games—they’re opportunities for growth, learning, and building lifelong skills. 🏅⚽🏀 Here’s why it’s crucial for all kids to participate: Health Benefits: Regular physical activity keeps kids fit and healthy, reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Academic Success: Kids who play sports often perform better in school, showing improved concentration and discipline. Social Skills: Sports teach teamwork, communication, and leadership—skills that are valuable both on and off the field. Self-Esteem: Achieving goals and overcoming challenges in sports boosts confidence and resilience. At 180 Sports, we believe every child deserves the chance to experience these benefits. However, many underserved youth miss out due to a lack of resources. Together, we can change this! Your support can provide the equipment and uniforms they need to participate and thrive. Let’s empower our future leaders through the power of sports. 🌟 DONATE TODAY AT WWW.180SPORTS.ORG #EquipDreams #YouthSports #EmpowerFutures #Donate180Sports

What kind of parents send their 17 year old child alone to a foreign country for a year, entrusting imperfect strangers to care for their kid as one of their own? \ Who would outsource parental duties like feeding, making sure homework gets done, doing laundry, disciplining if necessary, driving to practices and friends’ houses? While I’m at it, what kind of family would host a teenager from across the world to participate in their daily lives here in America?! I know, I know! Parents who believe in the power of community and family connection to change the world, one young person at a time. Parents who have confidence in their kid as an agent of this change, even as they experience homesickness and culture shock. Parents who have learned that people are people are people, and 99.999% of us are good people, no matter where we’re from, what we believe, or what kind of “weird” foods we eat. Read the article to learn more about Rotary International #youthexchange #gapyear