WemeThe University of Winnipeg Wesmen is proud to announce they are one of seven local organizations that have joined together to launch “True Sports Lives Here Manitoba.”
True Sport is dedicated to creating a good sport experience, based on the values of fairness, excellence, inclusion and fun. True Sport Lives Here Manitoba is a response to the negative public perception of sport. This comes following the 2015 ‘Attack on Sport’ Forum facilitated by UWinnipeg’s Dr. Glen Bergeron, which explored challenges facing the sport community: increasing reports of bullying, harassment and doping alongside national reports of declining participation in sports, due to related factors.
“The principles and values of the True Sport Lives Here Manitoba just make sense,” explains Dr. Bergeron, Acting Dean of the Gupta Faculty of Kinesiology and Applied Health, “Every parent wants his or her child to compete in a positive, character-building environment, which can have a lasting impact. We forget that participating and competing in sport should ultimately be one thing: Fun. We need to return to respect in sport: respect for each other on the fields, on the ice, and in the stands. ”
True Sport is a cross-Canada movement that encourages communities and sports-related groups of all ages to combat negative attitudes and behaviours through positive values, actions and awareness about what good sport is, and how it can be accomplished.
True Sport promotes these seven principles:
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- Go for it – Always strive for excellence and rise to the challenge, but never at the expense of others. Discover how good you can be.
- Play Fair – Play honestly and obey the rules, in letter and spirit. Winning is only meaningful when competition is fair.
- Respect Others – Show respect for everyone involved in creating a sporting experience, both on the field and off. Win with dignity and lose with grace.
- Keep it Fun – Find the joy and have a good time. Keep a positive attitude and look to make a positive difference, on the field and in your community.
- Stay Healthy – Place physical and mental health above all other considerations and avoid unsafe activities. Respect your body and keep in shape.
- Include Everyone – Share sport with others, regardless of creed, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or ability. Invite everyone into sport to make it more meaningful for the whole community.
- Give Back – Always remember the community that supports your sport and helps make it possible. Find ways to show your appreciation and help others get the most out of sport.
For good sport to really make a difference, the principles need to be in play at all times, working together. For sport to have the opportunity to make the greatest difference, True Sport teams, clubs, athletes, coaches and teachers commit to these Principles for Sport.
All nine University of Winnipeg Wesmen varsity teams will commit to this initiative and will promote the True Sport Lives Here Manitoba campaign at Wesmen games starting this September.
“Having the Wesmen program become part of the True Sport movement and adhering to the Principles of True Sport was an easy decision. These principles are already reflected in our Wesmen Code of Conduct. We believe these principles should form the basis for all of amateur sport, and the Wesmen program is proud to be a part of True Sport Lives Here Manitoba,” said Dave Crook, The University of Winnipeg’s Acting Athletic Director, “We are happy to say that the Wesmen Way is the True Sport Way.”
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