June 2008 - Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations

OFSAA NewsThe Bulletin | June 2008Try Day Funding Continues in 2008-09The Ontario TrilliumFoundation will again fundTry Day grants for new ornon-traditional sport andphysical activity programs in 140 high schools in 2009.Take advantage of this excellent opportunity to boostyour school activity program. Apply for Try Day fundingtoday!If your school would like to:• Introduce a new sport to your program• Try a non-traditional sport• Develop a fitness club• Provide a special activity day• Rejuvenate your intramural program• Take advantage of special activity programs withinthe community• Introduce students to activities which they maycontinue throughout their lives• Provide an opportunity to impart the values and funcomponents of activity to all your Grade 9 studentsBut:You need help with fundingfor equipment, clinics/clinicians, transportation,participant fees...Then read the enclosedflyer carefully!Decide upon a programyou would like toinstitute, and submit yourregistration form to theOFSAA office NOW!Registrations are acceptedon a first-come, first-servedbasis.Try Day information andregistration forms can alsobe found on the OFSAAwebsite under Conferencesand Events.OFSAA’s 2008 Women’s Sport School a Great SuccessDelegates strap on theirfloorball gear in the gym.On May 8 and 9, 150women elementary and highschool teachers, coachesand athletic directors,attended the OFSAAWomen’s Sport Schoolconference at DurhamCollege/UOIT in Oshawa.Over the course of the twodayevent, participants hadthe opportunity to attendteaching sessions led byexperienced professionals.The sessions includedfloorball, badminton, discgolf, yoga in the classroom, fun warm-ups, fitness testing101, hip hop for beginners, self defence, utilizing theweight room, addressing sensitive issues with students,mental health, and many others. The interactive sessionsunited teacher-coaches across the province and allowedparticipants to ask questions, network and discover new/unconventional sports and teaching methods to pass on totheir students.During the conference, OFSAA hosted a tradeshow,which gave sponsors the opportunity to display and sellprograms, products and services, while interacting withconference participants. There were a wide variety ofbooths to visit, as well as many prizes to be won.Following the tradeshow, a social was held for allconference attendees in the campus pub, which hadeveryonemingling,dancing anddoing the limbo.Even tradeshowvendors and pubstaff could bespotted in theconga line.Everyone showed a lot of spirit and had agreat time at the social.OFSAA wouldlike to thank all organizers, presenters, participants andtradeshow vendors for making the 2008 Women’s SportSchool so much fun and such a great success! Keepchecking our website and Bulletin for information on the2009 Coaching Symposium.Fiona MacGregor shows the ladies individual defence atone of the Volleyball sessions.Grade 9 Try Day a SuccessOver 75 schools around the provincereceived up to $800 in Try Day fundingfrom the Ministry of Health Promotion inthe 2007-08 school year.Over 9,000 Grade 9 students wereintroduced to a tremendous variety of newand non-traditional sports, and gainedgreat enjoyment from participation.More than 700 teachers and supervisorsconducted active programs which mostschools plan to continue in the future.There is the possibility that these funds,designated specifically for Grade 9student activities, may be available againin 2008-09, so watch the OFSAA websiteand fall Bulletin for Grade 9 Try Daynews!OFSAA Unveiling New Logo in the FallA new logo for OFSAA?was approved at the AprilExecutive Council meeting andwill be officially launched inSeptember.The decision for OFSAA tohave a new logo comes afteran extensive decision making process, and the final logo was chosenfrom a selection of two after much deliberation.OFSAA’s new brand and logo will demonstrate OFSAA movingtowards the future. It will reflect the amazing volunteers and studentathletes that shape our OFSAA community. The new logo will soonbe even more recognizable than the current one.Watch OFSAA’s website and the fall Bulletin for the unveiling of thenew logo!6 www.ofsaa.on.cawww.ofsaa.on.ca 7