(Vancouver, British Columbia) – On Wednesday, August 29 2012, Dr. Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, announced on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, support for two projects to increase awareness and prevent injury in sports and recreation activities among children and youth.
“Today’s investments will increase opportunities for children and youth to participate in sports and recreational activities that are safe, fun, fair and healthy,” said Parliamentary Secretary Carrie.
The first project, Sport Safety and Injury Prevention in Community Sport, will increase injury prevention knowledge among sport and recreational leaders of children and youth ages 5 to 19 who are involved in community soccer programs through the development of information, resources and tools.
The program, SportSmart, will be led by SportMedBC.
“Parents and coaches play an important role in helping children and youth learn ways to stay safe from injury,” said Lynda Cannell, President and CEO of SportMedBC. “With soccer being one of the highest participation sports in British Columbia, this project is well positioned to reduce the risk of injury among young players.”
The second project, You’re Probably Not Expecting to Need a Helmet Today, will develop an awareness campaign to reduce the number and severity of injuries sustained by youth aged 13 to 19 by promoting helmet use in individual sports and recreational activities where helmet compliance is low.
“Young Canadians who participate in sporting and recreational activities don’t always wear a helmet,” said Dr. Ian Pike, Co-Executive Director of Preventable. “This project engages youth to help their peers understand the benefits of wearing a helmet whenever they cycle, mountain bike, skateboard, ski or snowboard.”
Through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Active and Safe initiative, the federal government supports a number of projects that focus on preventing injuries among children and youth by reaching Canadians in the communities where they live and play. Active and Safe encourages community level action to increase sport and recreation safety awareness.
