Editorial

by Dale Sproule

It may take you weeks or even months to get over that first rush of excitement after arriving in Canada. But sooner or later, the excitement will be replaced by other less desirable side effects of your move including culture shock, homesickness, and increased stress and frustration if your job search goes on for too long. Chances are you’re being careful with your budget and don’t go out much. When things are not going your way, it is easy to slide into depression.

But it is important to make sure you and everyone in your family is eating properly and getting plenty of exercise. Jogging, walking and biking are inexpensive ways to stay fit and healthy while exploring your new home at the same time.

Playing competitive sports is a great outlet for your frustrations. Participating in organized sporting activities and taking your kids to baseball or soccer games are also excellent ways to network and meet new people.

Sports and kids

Sports are important building blocks for good health, promoting fitness, establishing healthy sleeping patterns, and relieving stress. They provide an opportunity for children to learn social skills, like being a good winner or loser. Sports also give children a sense of accomplishment, whether it’s skating all the way around the rink, getting a winning goal or breaking a personal track record.

But sometimes, the actions of parents and coaches can turn sports into a source of psychological and self-confidence problems. Adults often have dreams for their children. It is probably impossible to count all the children around the world who have been pushed and prodded into playing sports from soccer and cricket to figure skating and diving.

A recent York University study found that kids who are involved in a wide range of sports are more likely to enjoy and excel in a number of different sports. Early specialization in a single sport often results in more injuries, less enjoyment and a shorter career.

Letting kids try what they like makes sure that they have fun – reducing stress and the likelihood that they will drop out.

You have to be careful not push your child too hard to do well or to criticize them too much if they don’t – but you shouldn’t take it too lightly either. It’s acceptable for your child to feel badly because they lost. If your child becomes too stressed or anxious about going to games or practices, then it might be time to ask why and even let them quit if they want to.

It is important to be a good role model for your kids. Engage in physical activities with them and get involved in sports and exercise. Make physical activity part of your daily living. When they see that you think it is important, it will become more important to them as well.

Where do you go to get involved?

Wherever you live in Canada, the municipality (town or city) that you live in probably offers activities ranging from swimming and tennis to league sports. Many activities, like swimming, are inexpensive or even free. Most municipalities put out a Sports and Recreation program schedule like Toronto’s Fun Guide. The guide will tell you what courses are available in your area, where and when they are offered and how much the courses cost. Prices range from free to $200 – with most programs at the low end of that scale. In Toronto adults can play drop-in basketball, badminton, volleyball or other drop-in sports for $2.50 per visit or less with an Adult Athletic Membership.

The Fun Guide gives you step-by-step registration instructions and works with Access Toronto to provide help in more than 10 languages (call 416-338-0338). You can find the Fun Guide at most community centers or call 416-388-4FUN to have it delivered to your home.

In Toronto, if you can’t afford to participate because of financial difficulties, no-fee programs are available through designated priority centres. Ask at your local community centre for the priority centre closest to you. Welcome Policy membership gives you free access to paid programs at non-priority centres. Pick up a Welcome Policy application form at your nearest community centre or contact the Welcome Policy information line at 416-338-2000.

Most team sports are not run directly by the city, they are run by community sports associations who rent fields or gym from the municipality. They usually charge a small fee to participants, but most of the costs are covered by small businesses that sponsor the teams. House leagues play against other teams from the same sports association, while rep teams, play against teams from other sports associations. The level of skill required to play on a rep team is higher than that needed to play on a house league team. You can get in touch with a community sports association through your local community centre. And again, the best list of community centers is in the Sports and Receation guides. The sports associations in your community are probably looking for experienced coaches and referees – so donating your time in that capacity is a great way to get volunteer experience in Canada.

Other fitness destinations include local YMCAs and YWCAs, where you can use fitness facilities and play many of your favourite sports for free. A lot of apartment buildings and condos have swimming pools and fitness facilities for residents. Even if you don’t live there, you can often make use of free facilities by accompanying a friend who lives in such a complex.

However you do it, what’s most important is simply that you do it! Stay fit and be ready for any challenges that live – and Canada throw at you.

CNM