Melissa Sullivan, True Sport Coordinator at the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport

As we enter the third year of the Nova Scotia True Sport Athlete Ambassador Program (NSTSAAP), I want to take time to reflect upon and celebrate the impact this program has had on athletes, coaches, and communities across Nova Scotia and Canada. I am extremely grateful for the continued passion and exemplary leadership of Allison Saunders with the Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic, Elana Liberman with Sport Nova Scotia, and the True Sport team with the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.

This program was launched as part of Nova Scotia’s commitment to safe sport and has not only continued, but flourished, into its third year because the partners believe in the connection between True Sport and safe sport. What is the connection between the two? Well, first let me share more about True Sport. 

True Sport is an approach to values-based sport that is underpinned by seven True Sport Principles. When “Go For It, Play Fair, Respect Others, Keep It Fun, Stay Healthy, Include Everyone, and Give Back” are activated in sport environments, it leads to a culture of good sport. So, by setting our intention to ensure that we celebrate athletes who live the True Sport Principles, we’re raising the next generation of leaders who live by their values. 

By intentionally and consistently committing to values-based sport, we can create sport environments that are fair, safe, accessible, and inclusive. The NSTSAAP is one component of values-based sport. To say that I am incredibly proud of this program is an understatement. 

Just read what one 2023 athlete ambassador shared: “… the Nova Scotia True Sport Athlete Ambassador Program has changed my entire perspective on a healthy sport environment, and I am grateful to know how to be a more knowledgeable role model in this community.”

I encourage you to take another moment and reread this athlete’s perspective, this athlete’s experience. Through this program, athletes are given the opportunity to experience and better understand healthy sport environments and their connection to the activation of True Sport. 

Since Year 1, athletes were encouraged to share their sport experiences by posting on Instagram. In Year 2, we created the @TrueSportNS Instagram account. Athletes also have the opportunity to speak at events, give presentations, host outreach booths, and so much more, as a way to bring further awareness to True Sport across the province and the country.  

A component of the program is to have Support4Sport VIP coaches nominate athletes who live the True Sport Principles. Through this process, coaches are instrumental in not only understanding values-based sport, but also activating it within their communities. 

“I feel this program allows us to add so much value to our club to balance out and remind families that sport goes so far beyond the time on the field of play,” said one Support4Sport VIP coach. 

As a means to reclaim the promise of sport, we need to continue to create positive, welcoming, and inclusive sport environments through the intentional work of ensuring sport is values based. Sport has the power to positively influence behaviour and create a culture in sport that instills character, strengthens communities, and increases opportunities for personal excellence. 

I’ll leave you with one last inspiring thought: True Sport can unite and connect communities around a common belief – that good sport can make a great difference.

If you feel moved to get involved, I encourage you to declare your commitment to values-based sport and join True Sport (www.truesportpur.ca/join). And follow along @TrueSportNS and share your True Sport story @TrueSportPur. Be sure to keep an eye out as the nomination process for the 2025 Nova Scotia True Sport Athlete Ambassadors opens in spring 2024!