Programs

Redefining Youth Sports Programs with a Focus on Capacity Building

Sports

Structured and Unstructured Play For the Development of Healthy Habits

Sport and physical activity create good life-long habits. We work collaboratively with the community to identify specific issues and skills they want to address, integrating relevant policies, procedures, and tools into our program development process. Our goal is to ensure that our initiatives align with the community’s needs and actively contribute to the development of positive habits and skills that extend beyond sports.

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Development Based on the Indigenous LTPDP

ActivNation is a physical activity organization that builds its programs based on the Indigenous Long-Term Participant Development Pathway, a “roadmap for developing sport and physical activity among Indigenous peoples,” and a “reference for those who work with Indigenous participants in sport and recreation. It has grown out of the understanding that mainstream models for sports development do not necessarily align with Indigenous needs or experiences. As such, this document tries to address that gap by outlining the key elements that need to be considered when planning, developing, and implementing programs for and with Indigenous peoples and communities.”

Multi-Stage Development Plan

At ActivNation, we have developed a comprehensive Multi-Stage Development Plan that caters to the specific needs of children in sports programming. Our approach is based on age-appropriate skill implementation, ensuring that children are engaged in activities that are suitable for their developmental stage.

To support this plan, our organization employs certified instructors who are well-versed in delivering effective sports instruction. These instructors provide skill checklists and manuals that serve as valuable resources for both the instructors themselves and the community they serve.

The Multi-Stage Development Plan is implemented through a progression model that spans various durations. This includes 6-week, 12-week, 24-week, 32-week, and full school year progressions. Each stage is carefully designed to build upon the skills and knowledge gained in the previous stage, providing a structured and systematic approach to skill development.

By utilizing this multi-stage approach, we ensure that children are given the opportunity to progress and improve in their sports abilities over time. This allows for a more comprehensive and well-rounded development in sports, promoting both skill acquisition and enjoyment of physical activity.

Overall, ActivNation’s Multi-Stage Development Plan is a dynamic and adaptable framework that supports age-appropriate skill implementation in sports programming for children. It facilitates their growth, progress, and engagement in sports, ultimately contributing to their overall development and enjoyment of a healthy, active lifestyle.

Education

Background

Most Indigenous communities have significantly lower high school graduation rates and participation in secondary education compared to the Canadian National average.

According to a study by the Assembly of First Nations, the high school graduation rate for First Nations youth was only 36% between 2004-2009, compared to the general Canadian graduation rate of 72% during the same period.

ActivNation programs have been successful in reducing student absenteeism, increasing school attendance, and fostering participation, resulting in high school graduation rates comparable to the National average. Research demonstrates that youth involvement in sports can effectively enhance academic engagement and develop lifelong leadership skills.

Our Educational Results

In one of our community programs in Eastmain, Quebec, we partnered with Wabannutao Eeyou School to launch an integrative sport academy. Success of the program was measured by increased school attendance, participation, and graduation rates.

Graduation rate of Eastmain highschool before implementation of sports concentration program:

17%

Graduation rate of Wabannutao Eeyou School after 4 years of program development:

85%

This is the increase we strive for in each of our partner communities.

Local Educational Collaboration

We recognize the crucial role of local collaboration between our team and the school in achieving successful outcomes for both our students and the program as a whole. By working closely with the local education system, we ensure that all program participants are actively engaged in school, fostering a positive and supportive learning environment. The methods we employ to accomplish this vary based on the specific needs of each school and its community.

READ Program – Our proprietary system in which student success is measured on Respect-Effort-Attendance-Discipline (READ)

This initiative not only promotes physical activity but also emphasizes the importance of respect, effort, attendance, and discipline, fostering a well-rounded approach to student development in and out of the classroom.

Along with the READ programs we can also integrate:

Attendance Tracking:

Closely monitoring and tracking improvement in school attendance and grades. By keeping a close eye on these key indicators, we can identify areas where additional support may be needed for program development

Cross-functional Sports Education Programs

These initiatives integrate sports activities with academic components, providing students with a holistic and well-rounded educational experience.

Integrated sports academic programs

These programs seamlessly blend sports and academic curricula, allowing students to pursue their athletic passions while also achieving academic success. ActivNation strives to establish a strong partnership with schools and communities, ensuring that our programs actively engage students, support their academic progress, and foster a positive and enriching educational experience.

Our Learning Environment

Our priority is to cultivate a positive learning environment in all our sessions, whether it's for fundamentals, training, or competition. We are committed to integrating an underlying life skill or habit into each session, aiming to reinforce valuable qualities that go beyond sports. By creating this supportive atmosphere, we provide our participants with the opportunity to develop essential life skills and habits while they engage in our programs, fostering holistic growth and personal development.

Capacity Building

Season Planning:

We facilitate capacity building by providing sport-specific programming manuals that emphasize progression-based learning and multi-stage development. These resources enable participants to advance their skills through structured, full-season practice plans, which can be accessed through our user-friendly app.

Technology:

Our app offers animated versions of drills, resembling video games, to enhance visual learning engagement for our student-athletes. By utilizing the app, we can easily share animated practices and drills with our program participants, ensuring they are well-prepared and active learners during our program lessons.

Local Staff:

We collaborate with local coaches and instructors, both on and off the ice, to develop age-appropriate skills and strategies that support the success of our students. Building confidence, self-esteem, and leadership skills are vital components of our sports and education social enterprise programs.

Youth Leadership:

As a youth and children's social enterprise, we prioritize empowering youth leaders within their own communities. We identify potential leaders among participants, both on the ice and in school, who serve as mentors for younger players while learning from our ActivNation instructors.

Community Development:

We work closely with local youth and community members to establish local skills in training and program methods, promoting ongoing engagement of student-athletes throughout their school years. Our coaching and instructor mentorship program aims to create self-sustainable programming by passing on knowledge and skill sets to locals, empowering them to become instructors in their respective communities. Through these pillars, ActivNation strives to create an inclusive and supportive environment that fosters the development of engaged student-athletes while nurturing sustainable growth within the communities we serve.

Health

Health Issues and Concerns:

At ActivNation, the well-being of children is our top priority. We recognize that Indigenous youth in different communities may face various health issues such as limited access to healthy food options, diabetes, access to drug and alcohol, and the need for mental health and emotional support. With a deep understanding of these concerns, we ensure our programs are tailored to address the specific health needs of each community. By being sensitive to these issues, we create a learning and training environment that promotes the overall health and wellness of our participants.

Creating Healthy Habits:

In the development of our programs, we actively collaborate with the local community and public health organizations in Canada. This collaboration allows us to target specific healthy habits that the community wants our program to reinforce. Through the implementation of policies and tools, we provide students with the means to cultivate and maintain a healthy lifestyle not only during their time in our programs but also in their everyday lives, extending beyond the school environment.

Providing a Positive Outlet:

Our sports and learning environments are intentionally structured to serve as positive spaces for the youth we work with. We understand the importance of providing a safe and supportive outlet for them to release any negative energy accumulated throughout their day. By offering constructive ways to channel and manage negative emotions, we aim to prevent these emotions from being carried over into their homes or schools, fostering a positive and healthy mindset.

Partner Programs:

Through our partnership with CollectivCare, we can extend our support to communities by providing Nurse and Healthcare staffing. This comprehensive approach ensures a 360-degree focus on youth health and wellness within the community. In pilot programs conducted in Eastmain, Quebec, we implemented standardized health testing protocols, which led to the identification of a previously unknown case of diabetes in a youth participant. This collaboration with CollectivCare enhances our ability to address health concerns and provide holistic support to the communities we serve.

To learn more about CollectivCare health staffing, please visit Click Here

Our Approach:

At ActivNation, we prioritize community integration as a key component of our approach. By actively engaging with the local community, we collaborate and work together to promote health and education through sports. By fostering a sense of unity and shared responsibility, we strive to create a happy and healthy life for all.

Proactive Not Reactive:

We take a proactive approach in addressing long-term education and health issues. Our focus is on promoting healthy habits for life and providing participants with coping tools, goals, and positive reinforcement to help them graduate from secondary school. By being proactive, we aim to build a strong foundation of healthy habits rather than simply reacting to issues after they occur.

Empowerment Through Leadership:

ActivNation believes in empowering the local community through leadership training workshops and curriculum development. By equipping members of the community with the skills to engage and monitor participants, we aim to foster self-sustainability. Our ultimate goal is to empower communities to run their own programs even after our involvement ends.

Quality Tools & Process:

We employ purpose-designed tools to enhance our program and strengthen student outcomes. Our HCV app provides a modern learning methodology that resonates with young people, while our instructional design creates a positive learning environment. Our instructors are equipped with the necessary skills and tools to track individual and group progress, ensuring high-quality delivery.

Feedback & Reiteration:

At ActivNation, we value feedback and prioritize ongoing communication. We actively gather input from the community and par ticipants to better align our program with local needs. Monthly reports and regular meetings allow us to continuously improve and exceed community expectations. We understand that feedback is crucial for growth and aim to consistently iterate and enhance our offerings.