Engaging Women in Active Living: Workshop Series
Learn how to apply strategies to increase the participation of adult women in active living programs.
This interactive 6-part series, in partnership with the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, will provide recreation and sport leaders with practical information on how to get and keep adult women active. The presenters will highlight the diversity of adult women and their many intersecting identities with specific considerations provided to engage women 55+, new mothers, Indigenous women and newcomer women.
In each 90-minute session, participants will learn about what motivates women to participate, and how to apply strategies to increase the participation of adult women in active living programs. Each presentation will highlight unique programs as case studies and feature regional guest speakers with expertise in leading successful recreation and sport programs for women. This workshop series has been made possible by the Government of Canada.
See details and registration below.
Session 1: New Ideas to Get Moving
Tue, November 16, 2021 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM EST | Presented in English
Guest speakers for this session
Shelley Callaghan will provide information on adult women in Canada and highlight what we have found works well to engage women in active living.
Bree Thorlakson, Pemberton Off-Road Cycling Association and Sandy Ward, Indigenous Women Outdoors will present on how effective partnerships can encourage more women to get involved in Mountain biking.
With a growing interest in pickleball among women, Karen Rust (President) Pickleball Canada, Bryna Kopelow (Board Member) Pickleball Canada and Beverly DeHaitre, Victoria Regional Pickleball Association will providing information and examples of how programs can be developed to be more inclusive and welcoming.
This session is presented by the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, in partnership with Canadian Women & Sport and BC Recreation and Parks Association.
Session 2: Établir des liens sociaux
jeu., 18 novembre 2021 | 12:00 – 13:30 EST | Presented in French
Présentateurs
Françoise Uwamariya fournira des informations sur les femmes adultes au Canada et soulignera ce que nous avons trouvé qui fonctionne bien pour engager les femmes dans la vie active.
Pauline Kamugisha de la Fédération du sport francophone de l’Alberta présentera ElleBouge 55+, une campagne qui vise à encourager les femmes à devenir plus actives physiquement. La présentation mettra en vedette des femmes francophones de 55+ qui ont surmonté leur peur d’être jugées et ont trouvé leur propre façon de faire de l’activité physique.
Dominique Perrault de Femmes-Relais Saint-Michel présentera un programme d’activité physique pour les femmes nouvellement arrivées et partagera comment le programme les a aidées à rencontrer des amis et à créer des réseaux pour maintenir un mode de vie actif.
Cette séance est présentée par l’Association canadienne des parcs et loisirs, en partenariat avec Femmes et sport au Canada et l’Association québécoise du loisir municipal.
Session 3: Ideas to Engage Your Community
Wed, December 8, 2021 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM EST | Presented in English
Guest Presenters
Shelley Callaghan will provide information on adult women in Canada and highlight what we have found works well to engage women in active living.
Valerie Fitzpatrick from Immigrant & Refugee Services Association PEI (IRSA) will explore the benefits of their women’s dance and fitness program as well as their experience coordinating with local partners to get the entire community active together through Fresh Air Fun Events.
Sally O’Neill and Lilly Selvaraj will dive into their Ladies Only Trail Building Weekend and Active Pictou County’s Welcome Winter Project highlighting the importance of partnerships and personal connections in getting and keeping women active.
This session is presented by the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, in partnership with Canadian Women & Sport, Recreation NB, Recreation Nova Scotia, Recreation NL, and Recreation PEI.
Session 4: Inclusive & Welcoming Programs
Thu, February 3, 2022 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EST | Presented in English
Guest Presenters
Gabriella Permell is a Kinesiology graduate from the University of Toronto, Personal Trainer for 8+ years, field hockey player, weightlifter and mother of two. For the past 5 years she has specialized in Prenatal fitness and Postpartum recovery. Her inclusive style of training aims to remove existing barriers to provide a safe and nonjudgmental environment whether that is through individuals’ pre-habilitation, rehabilitation or overall health and fitness.
Erin Harris is a 25-year-old entrepreneur living in Ottawa, Ontario. She was introduced to yoga at a very young age while watching her mom teach in studios most of her life. Yoga became Erin’s passion throughout high school and university, and a few months after graduating she opened her first studio, SoulSpeak Yoga. This winter a second location of SoulSpeak Yoga will open in Kingston, Erin’s home town, where her mom will teach. This full circle moment makes Erin “feel lucky every day to go to work doing what I love”.
Peggy Holden spent most of her life residing in South Georgian Bay with her family and three children. Most of her time was dedicated to raising her children, running them to the rink and volunteering with the Athletic Association. Passing their summers in Northwestern Ontario, as a family they spent a lot of time on the water, fishing, swimming and paddling. In response to her “empty nest”, Peggy sought out more opportunities for physical activity and sport, including downhill skiing, curling, aquafit, snowshoeing and skating. These activities have been important not only for her physical health but also in developing new social and community connections.
Becky Holden grew up moving between South Georgian Bay area and Lake of the Woods and now resides in Northwestern Ontario in Treaty #3 Territory. She currently works part-time for the Association of Ontario Midwives and teaching at a post secondary institution. Becky has previously been involved in work with Canadian Women and Sport – including the Women 55+ project and On the Move. Outside of work, she loves spending time on the water, being on my yoga mat and hiking with her dog, Mawkoose.
This session is presented by the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, in partnership with Canadian Women & Sport and Parks and Recreation Ontario.
Session 5: Flexible Programs for Max. Participation
Tue, February 8, 2022 | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM EST | Presented in English
Details coming soon!
Session 6: Creating Opportunities for Wellness
Thurs, February 24, 2022 | 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM EST | Presented in English
Details coming soon!