About Us
Mission Statement
To promote active and healthy living in our provincial student body by developing and organizing non-competitive sports events which encourage participation and fun above all else.
Vision
To provide an opportunity for every student within the province to experience a fun sport environment without the pressures of winning, but rather the enjoyment of the game itself and the reward that comes from simply participating.
About The Program
The SSNL Participation Nation Program was created largely in response to the alarmingly high obesity rates in both Canadian and Newfoundland & Labrador youth discovered in the past decade, therefore creating a tremendous need for a program that targeted these young students. The problem with obesity, however, is not just in a physical state of being, but also in the dangers of inactivity. Inactivity amongst youth today contributes to health risks even in those children that are not obese. It is here that the PN Program aims to implement one of its main goals: To lower existing and future health risks to students in grade 4-9 through various sports and activities that promote healthy living. Through these objectives we will help create healthier community members who will not only live longer, but will produce a healthier attitude towards life that will be shared with future generations.
School Sports NL created the Participation Nation program which is a strictly non-competitive program that prides itself on a "cut-free" environment where no student who wishes to play a sport or activity will be "cut" from a team. Our program is getting students who normally only particpate in required physical exercise to not only be more active, but feel good about participation. To do this requires a safe and enjoyable sport environment free from criticism of skill levels and pressures to succeed both by "making teams" and winning. All schools across the province have made an amiable agreement that all teams will be as evenly balanced as possible to ensure the maximum amount of enjoyable play.
Whether at the school or regional level we are able to create a tournament atmosphere for players that normally would not have had the opportunity to experience such an event. With no play-offs or championship games and in many cases, no scorekeeping, and a province wide push to play more simplified and non-traditional sports, players and teams find themselves on a more even playing field that rewards participation instead of winning.
The need for a more healthy and active lifestyle for our youth is being made a priority by our province and schools so we must all make our best efforts to both support and encourage every person, business, and community to take an active role in helping to produce results.
Our Participation Nation program has been succesful outside the province as well. The program was shared with the Calgary Board of Education. They are in the fourth year of implementation.