The Alnaas Community & Youth Development Association started its sports program in 2021. It began as open gym sessions and is now structured sessions with instructors focusing on various sports. The program encourages women and girls to come and try sports in an environment focused on making them feel included and comfortable.
As the initiative gained popularity, the association partnered with organizations to expand its offerings. The program now includes a diverse range of sports, such as lacrosse, lacrosse, sailing, swimming, surfing, kayaking, and canoeing, which are now part of the twelve sessions per year.
“We started with some sessions of basketball and volleyball, bringing on female coaches to ensure participants felt comfortable,” said Saida Gazie, board member of Alnaas Community & Youth Development Association. “After that, we branched out to swimming, which has seen over 30 women and girls learn to swim.”
Each program varies in length and changes throughout the year. However, each session can accommodate up to 30 individuals, with swimming being the exception of only 10 participants per session. Most programs run out of St. Andrews Community Centre, with swimming out of the Needham Recreation Centre and lacrosse at the Gray Arena.
The support from Lacrosse NS, Life Saving Society of Nova Scotia, the Surfing Association of Nova Scotia, and Nova Scotia Sea School has been crucial to the growth and success of the sessions. These organizations offer the sessions for free, significantly reducing the access barrier and allowing more parents and youth to participate.
This winter and spring, the group plans to offer lacrosse, swimming, open gym, skiing, and surfing sessions. For those interested in attending, volunteering, or learning more about the program, email alnaasyouth@gmail.com. To stay current on upcoming programming or to register, head to their Facebook Page.
The success of the Alnass Community & Youth Development Sport Program was made possible by Sport Nova Scotia’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility grant. Check out our Sport Fund eligibility for more information about how Sport Nova Scotia can support your community sport initiative.
