The Aboriginal RunWalk program improves the health and fitness of members of the Aboriginal communities in British Columbia by implementing a comprehensive program consisting of leadership training and province-wide RunWalk training opportunities leading up to participation in a 10K event and/or distance.
The program first started in 2007 as a partnership between SportMedBC and the BC Ministry of Health. Since then 383 leaders have been trained to deliver programming to over 7627 number of participants living in 226 number of communities across the province.
This year, with the support of the Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council, we will be providing training and support to community leaders and facilitate 13-weeks of RunWalk training starting up on January 14th, 2012.
How Do I Sign Up as a Program Leader?
If you are interested in returning as a leader or for individuals wishing to join the program as a new leader, please contact Susan Nguyen at susann@sportmedbc.com. Leaders must be confirmed prior to October 31st so that we can begin the participant registration process. The deadline to apply as a leader is OCTOBER 31ST, 2011.
Leader Training
There will be six regional training sessions offered for leaders – leaders are required to attend 1 of the 6 training days (Scheduled for November & December,):
Vancouver Coastal Region – Vancouver
Vancouver Island Region – Campbell River
Fraser Region – Chilliiwack
Interior Region – Kamloops
Northwest Region – Terrace
Northeast Region – Prince George
All confirmed leaders MUST attend the leader training workshop and pre-registration in the training workshop in your region is required. Training workshop dates, agendas and travel subsidy guidelines will be available shortly.
When Can PARTICIPANTS Start Signing Up?
Program registration for participants will begin December 1st and continue through to February 3rd. Participants will need to sign up online through SportMedBC and will be asked to identify the leader with whom they will be training.
All participants this year will receive:
RunWalk training program brochure and training logbook
Access to HealthBeat - a pre/post health screening program - which will be offered in selected communities (TBA)
Weekly training tips emailed directly to your inbox
Access to online educational sessions - the next webinar is February 15th, 2012 at 12:00 pm. More information to come.
Grants and Financial Support
We are pleased to announce that leaders will be eligible to apply for the Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council Community Grants. The deadline for application has been extended to January 27th, 2012.
For more information on grants please visit: http://sportmedbc.com/sites/default/files/resources/Guidelines_Final.pdf