Background

When sport is values-based it has the power to positively influence behaviour, in turn creating a good sport culture that instills character, strengthens communities, and increases opportunities for personal excellence. In 2022, the True Sport Athlete Ambassador Program launched in Nova Scotia, as a partnership between Sport Nova Scotia, Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic (CSI Atlantic) and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES). Sport Nova Scotia recognizes True Sport as an approach to foster a positive sport culture and this program is a component of its upstream approach to safe sport.

Goals and Objectives

The program will engage and inspire a diverse cohort of athletes who believe in and live the True Sport Principles. They will use their voices and influence to share their passion for good sport with others. The program will identify support4sport vip coach-nominated athletes participating at all levels, from the playground to the podium to highlight the power of sport at all levels. The goal of this program is to increase awareness of the positive impact the True Sport Principles can have on the sport experience and to engage with communities by way of influential athletes who are leaders in activating True Sport.

During their scheduled month, the athlete will share their sport experience aligned with the True Sport Principles on social media. Athlete ambassadors are also encouraged to provide leadership within their sport community to activate True Sport. After the one-year commitment, athlete ambassadors become part of the alumni program, where they continue to promote and lead True Sport activation.

2025 Ambassadors

Rebecca Regan
January
I have grown up playing many sports and have always enjoyed competing and working alongside my teammates. From the time I began curling 11 years ago, I loved building friendships with my teammates and opponents and promoting True Sport Principles in my curling community. The True Sport Principles that are most important to me are “Play Fair” and “Keep It Fun”. These principles remind me why I love to curl and what drives me to compete in my sport.

Myah Payne Landon
February
Growing up, I participated in many sports that helped me to experience all of the True Sport Principles. My favourite True Sport Principles are “Go For It” and “Give Back.” For me, “Go For It” means setting goals for myself and putting my best effort into everything I do. As a coach “Give Back” means supporting the community that helped me along the way. As an athlete, I strive to demonstrate the True Sport Principles on and off the ice. As a coach, I use the True Sport Principles to create a welcoming environment for young athletes.

Sean Giffin
March
I have been a Special Olympics athlete for 22 years. I started teaching special needs people how to curl and then was asked if I would like to be skip of the curling team. Next came Special Olympics golf. My time is divided up with many things besides my sports as well: I am a 30-year member of the Royal Canadian Legion in Chester, Nova Scotia and have been actively involved with the Legion Color Party for 28 of those years. I am also a Special Olympics Athlete Ambassador and a certified motivational speaker.  Doing what you love and loving what you do go hand in hand.

David Pedraza
April
Judo wasn’t always my sport. I’ve swapped around a lot and tested the waters but it has been the only one that has given me opportunities such as this one. Judo is everything to me and is what keeps my world spinning, so it’s safe to say that it’s going to stick around for a while. During my time as a True Sport Athlete Ambassador, I want to share this feeling with others and try to convince people that everyone can, and should, participate in sport during their time on this earth. (And hopefully, make a few of you laugh along the way!)

Katie Lear
May
I always loved being active and playing sports, but it wasn’t until 2017 that I discovered sledge hockey. Sledge (para) hockey is such an inclusive and welcoming sport, and the para community always makes sure to “Include Everyone” and “Keep It Fun”. I later got involved with a developmental speed sledge program, where I helped to “Give Back” by improving this grassroots program in Nova Scotia. Sledge hockey is my ultimate passion in life, and it allows me to “Stay Healthy” and “Go For It” by competing with Team Atlantic Para Hockey at Para Hockey Championship against athletes from all across Canada. As a 2025 True Sport Athlete Ambassador, I hope to grow not only parasport, but inclusive and safe sport for everyone.
 
Stephanie Atherton
June
I grew up around curling. This meant that I quickly developed a community around me because it is a very small sport. I was lucky to have so many amazing mentors who showed me all of the amazing things that were possible through my curling, both on and off the ice. I am thrilled to be a True Sport Athlete Ambassador so that I can share my love of sport through the True Sport Principles and inspire as many people as I can, just as I was once inspired.
 
Freddy Lynch
July
The True Sport Principles have always been an important part of my experiences in sport. "Go For It" has allowed me to do my best, which contributes to the enjoyment of sport and the "Keep It Fun” principle. I am excited to be a True Sport Athlete Ambassador so that I can promote the True Sport Principles and ensure that everyone has access to fair, respectful, and fun sport experiences.
 
Kyanna Hope
August
Growing up as a multi-sport athlete, I found my passion in paddling at the age of five and have continued to follow my passion. Paddling has provided me with many opportunities; from national championships to Florida training camps the sport has shaped who I am. The True Sport Principle that has always stuck with me is “Include Everyone” because I'm from a small town and I believe everyone should have access to sport, no matter who they are.

Angelo Maskine
September
Sport has been a part of my life since I was three years old. Over the years, I’ve tried many, including taekwondo, soccer, baseball, hockey, rugby and most recently surfing. I’ve had the honour of competing in the North American Indigenous Games and look forward to competing in the Mi’kmaw Summer Games each summer. The main thing my sports l have in common are the core values and life lessons they’ve taught me. I value and practice all the True Sport Principles, but “Respect Others” has always been my main focus because I believe when we respect everyone, the other principles are easily achieved.
 
Caden Lee
October
Sport has been a large part of my life for as long as I can remember. The people I’ve met and the memories I've made along the way have had a major impact on the person I am today. As I began competing at the collegiate level, I learned how important the True Sport Principles are to a sport community. "Keep It Fun" has been the most impactful in my life to date. Track and cross country are unique sports because all the work put in is behind closed doors. The nature of these sports has helped me learn to trust the process and have fun in the training journey. I have learn that a happy runner is a fast runner, and I bring this mindset to all my coaching endeavors.
 
Isabella Gouthro
November
As a multi-sport athlete, the True Sport Principles have shaped my journey both in and out of sport, influencing my experiences as an athlete and coach. Growing up, I was fortunate enough to have coaches who embodied these values, I aim to be the same example for the next generation of athletes. I am committed to the True Sport Principles and hope to inspire those around me to uphold them as well.

Sadie Delorey & Divjot Kalsi
December
Growing up as best friends, we bonded the most over our love for sports. We deeply connect with the True Sport Principle “Go For It” because that’s what we’ve been pushing each other to do since we were young. Now that we’re older and no longer play as many sports together, the encouragement we have given each other over the years still helps us achieve the goals that we’ve dreamed of achieving. As True Sport Athlete Ambassadors, we’re so excited to have the opportunity to share more of our story and help others connect to the True Sport Principles.
 

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