Welcome to Fall 2022 !
Contents
Land Acknowledgement
1. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30
2. National Coaches Week – Sept 17th – 25th
3. Concussion Awareness Week Sept 26th to Oct 2nd
4. Green Sports Day Canada (October 6th)
5. Goalball
6. In-Person Fitness Classes
7. Online Programs
8. Celebration of Life for Don Steen, previous BC Blind Sports President
9. For more information:
Land Acknowledgement
BC Blind Sports and Recreation Association (BC Blind Sports) is grateful to play, train, compete, and carry out activities throughout British Columbia, 95 percent of which is unceded First Nations traditional territory. BC Blind Sports representatives also honour the traditional lands and homelands of all indigenous peoples and communities across Canada, including First Nations, Inuit and Metis living both on and off reserve, in rural and urban communities, as we travel, train, work, and compete on these lands.
The BC Blind Sports office is in the City of Burnaby which is located on the ancestral and unceded homelands of the Hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (Halkomelem) and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) speaking peoples. We are grateful for the opportunity to be on this territory.
1. National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30
On September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Canadians were encouraged to wear orange to raise awareness of the very tragic legacy of residential schools, and to honour the thousands of Survivors, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. Reconciliation is important to the sport, physical activity, and recreation community in BC, as part of that community, BC Blind Sports acknowledges this and recognizes the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action #87 and #91 which focus on Sport and public education.
Additional information on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (also known as Orange Shirt Day) can be found at this link.
2. National Coaches Week – Sept 17th – 25th
Coaches’ week has come and gone. However, while we celebrate our coaches all the time we are taking this opportunity to particularly celebrate the fantastic work our coaches do year round for our athletes across the province. Our coaches work hard to ensure not only fun, but great performance, being inclusive to all and ensuring the safety for all our members who are working with coaches. Thanks Coaches!
3. Concussion Awareness Week Sept 26th to Oct 2nd
“A concussion is a brain injury that can’t be seen on routine X-rays, CT scans or MRIs. It affects the way a person may think and remember things and can cause a variety of symptoms. Any blow to the head, face or neck, or a blow to the body that jars your head, could cause a concussion.” (from Parachute Canada 2022 10).
Resources on Concussion can be found at the following links:
• Canadian Blind Sports Concussion and Vision Impairment Resources
• Coaching Association of Canada’s free NCCP Making Head Way Concussion eLearning Series.
• Concussion Awareness Training Tool for athletes, coaches, parents, and others from the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit.
If you would like more information about concussions, please contact the office and we will be happy to assist you. If you have any difficulty accessing any of these resources or links, please let us know.
4. Green Sports Day Canada (October 6th)
Sport organizations and athletes are becoming more aware of their environmental impact and October 6th is the first Green Sports Day in Canada. For more information about Green Sports Day and how your sport can be more environmentally responsible, please see the following link: Green Sports Day Canada (greensportsverts.ca)
5. Goalball
We are running practices on Sundays from 1pm to 4:30pm and Tuesday 7pm to 8pm. We welcome new players and are looking for volunteers to help with practices and coaching. National team testing is coming up in November for Men (along with a tournament in Halifax) and December for Women (in Calgary), for additional information contact the BC Blind Sports office.
6. In-Person Fitness Classes
We have two in-person classes running now and are working to have a third class up and running in Chilliwack. Our in-person programs are designed to help build on your goals of keeping active. The program will help with body movement, balance, strength, and endurance, set with your individual level in mind. All classes are for all adult members at any level of fitness Theses classes can be a regular class for you or drop in.
Come join us for the fitness and meet up with old friends and build new friends. If you are interested all you need to do is be a member with BC Blind Sports and register with Susan by emailing susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca
The following in person classes are available:
Kelowna – classes with Cindy are 5pm to 6pm on Thursdays. Location – French Cultural Centre.
Nanaimo – classes with Brian class will start up on Monday October 17th from 3pm to 4pm. Location – Bowen Recreation Centre.
Chilliwack – In person Chair Yoga
We are now looking for a new Yoga/fitness instructor for the Chilliwack group. As soon as we have an instructor in place we will re open the program. In the meantime, Candice continues to do our online program.
To register for the classes or get additional information, please contact susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca
7. Online Programs
We will be continuing our online programs as they have proven to be a wonderful success.
These programs have made it possible for those in remote and local areas to join in and be active. For some they are learning more about getting to know their bodies and their body movement and for some it’s about getting a workout and keeping active. Members have reconnected with old friends and created new friends.
If you would like to join in the fun contact Susan at the office at 604-325-8638 or email susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca
Full Schedule – Online Classes:
• Chair Yoga with Candice – Sundays 6pm and Thursdays 12pm
• Dragon Boat Fitness with Cindy – Monday 7pm
• Fitness with Brian – Wednesday 2pm and Thursdays 7pm
• BC Blind Sports Active Living Network – Meets once every 4 to 5 weeks.
8. Celebration of Life for Don Steen, previous BC Blind Sports President
The celebration of Life for Don Steen will be held on Sunday October 30 starting at 1:00 p.m. at Burnaby South Secondary School at 5455 Rumble Street in Burnaby. There will be a service in the north gym followed by a reception in the cafeteria with light refreshments and an informal opportunity to share storied about Don.
Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP at the following link:
https://www.eventcreate.com/e/don-steen-celebration-of-life
If you have any questions, please contact the BC Blind Sports office.
9. For more information:
For information on any of our programs and activities, please email susan@bcblindsports.bc.ca or call the office at 604-325-8638 or 1-877-604-8638.
