Background
In order to prevent unethical conduct in sport, the positive values we seek must be committed to and prioritized across all stakeholders in the sport system. When sport is values-based it has the power to positively influence behaviour, in turn creating a culture that can instill character, strengthen communities, and increase opportunities for excellence. The Nova Scotia Safe Sport Working Group (SSWG) recognizes True Sport as an approach to foster a sporting culture in the province that will not only protect it from the threats to sport, including maltreatment, but also maximizes its potential as a valued public asset.
Goals and Objectives
The Nova Scotia True Sport Athlete Ambassador Program will engage and inspire a diverse cohort of athletes, who already believe in and live True Sport, to use their voice and influence to share their passion with others. The program will target athletes nominated by Support4Sport vip coaches in the province of Nova Scotia from the playground to the podium, highlighting the power of sport at all levels. The goal of this program is to increase True Sport awareness, understanding and engagement within communities throughout the province by way of influential athletes who are leaders in the activation of True Sport. This project is a component of Nova Scotia’s upstream approach to its commitment to safe sport.
2022 Ambassadors
Sophie Carmichael
AGE: 17
SPORT: Basketball
COMMUNITY: Dartmouth
“To me, True Sport is about balancing my competitive spirit to go for it and play hard while also respecting the other six True Sport Principles. It doesn’t have to be winning OR True Sport, it should be winning THROUGH True Sport. I feel honoured that so many of my teammates, opponents, coaches and officials see it the same way - this is what makes sport great to me.”
Max Teeuwen
AGE: 22
SPORT: Judo
COMMUNITY: Bedford
“True Sport is so closely tied to the values I’ve learned as a Judo athlete. What speaks to me most is the emphasis on mutual benefit and welfare; it’s about including everyone and staying healthy.”
Luke Rideout
AGE: 19
SPORT: Volleyball
COMMUNITY: Wolfville
“My sport experience has not only pushed me to go for it and test my limits athletically but it has underscored how important it is to give back to my community. This has allowed me to develop connections within my community, and has supported my personal growth - this is what True Sport can do!”
Kylee Mansfield
AGE: 20
SPORT: Ringette
COMMUNITY: Halifax
“Sport feels like True Sport to me because when I am at the rink, I feel respected as a player by my teammates, officials and coaches. I’ve worked hard to earn this and am proud of what I have achieved.”
Shelby Prost
AGE: 20
SPORT: Trampoline
COMMUNITY: Greenwood
“I have volunteered at my gym for as long as I can remember - long before I became a coach. I still volunteer my time with the recreational program. Giving back to my sport is an integral part of my sport experience - it has certainly contributed to my personal growth and development as a mentor. I think my commitment to True Sport will help ensure that my contributions are both positive and meaningful for my athletes.”
Mikayla Boucher
AGE: 20
SPORT: Athletics
COMMUNITY: Halifax
“I have participated in track and field for 13 years, and I can confidently say that it has given me the confidence to pursue my dreams on and off the field of play. The True Sport principle of stay healthy speaks to me as sport has helped me understand the needs of my body and how to properly fuel it to maintain a demanding schedule as a student-athlete. Sport can do so much when it is grounded in True Sport.”
Natasha Sexton
AGE: 37
SPORT: Para-swimming
COMMUNITY: Sackville
“My experience in sport has felt like True Sport because I am one of the older athletes on deck at meets and typically the only or one of very few para swimmers, and my teammates and opponents have never treated me differently because of this. My experience has felt very open and accepting and one that has encouraged me to have fun and do my best no matter what that looks like. This inspires me to give back this same positive energy to other athletes and coaches in the community at large. This acceptance means the world to me and I wish this feeling for all who participate in sport.”
Sierra Eshouzadeh
AGE: 17
SPORT: Boxing
COMMUNITY: Sackville
“My experience as a boxer has been grounded in True Sport. As an individual sport, I have the utmost respect for myself, the officials, referees and my opponents and believe this to be critical to my success as an athlete and person.”
Maddie McDonald
AGE: 26
SPORT: Rugby
COMMUNITY: Dartmouth
“My commitment to giving back as a coach is what brings True Sport to life for me! I feel that my involvement in rugby has made such a difference in my life, that I just have to pay it forward. As a coach, I encourage athletes to take care of their physical, mental and emotional health by discussing a variety of health topics and providing them with strength and conditioning programs."
Madison MacInnis
AGE: 17
SPORT: Rugby
COMMUNITY: Sydney
“Fortunately, my sporting endeavours have always been a True Sport experience and my hope is we can make that a reality for everyone, on and off the field of play. I am passionate about supporting others and encouraging their growth and chances to pursue new experiences. I find great joy and satisfaction in supporting my teammates, and giving all players the respect and acceptance they deserve. I hold the firm belief in fully committing to one’s goals and dreams by doing all you can to achieve them; if you want something, go for it!”
Sophie Carmichael
AGE: 17
SPORT: Basketball
COMMUNITY: Dartmouth
“To me, True Sport is about balancing my competitive spirit to go for it and play hard while also respecting the other six True Sport Principles. It doesn’t have to be winning OR True Sport, it should be winning THROUGH True Sport. I feel honoured that so many of my teammates, opponents, coaches and officials see it the same way - this is what makes sport great to me.”
Kylee Mansfield
AGE: 20
SPORT: Ringette
COMMUNITY: Halifax
“Sport feels like True Sport to me because when I am at the rink, I feel respected as a player by my teammates, officials and coaches. I’ve worked hard to earn this and am proud of what I have achieved.”
Sierra Eshouzadeh
AGE: 17
SPORT: Boxing
COMMUNITY: Sackville
“My experience as a boxer has been grounded in True Sport. As an individual sport, I have the utmost respect for myself, the officials, referees and my opponents and believe this to be critical to my success as an athlete and person.”
Max Teeuwen
AGE: 22
SPORT: Judo
COMMUNITY: Bedford
“True Sport is so closely tied to the values I’ve learned as a Judo athlete. What speaks to me most is the emphasis on mutual benefit and welfare; it’s about including everyone and staying healthy.”
Shelby Prost
AGE: 20
SPORT: Trampoline
COMMUNITY: Greenwood
“I have volunteered at my gym for as long as I can remember - long before I became a coach. I still volunteer my time with the recreational program. Giving back to my sport is an integral part of my sport experience - it has certainly contributed to my personal growth and development as a mentor. I think my commitment to True Sport will help ensure that my contributions are both positive and meaningful for my athletes.”
Maddie McDonald
AGE: 26
SPORT: Rugby
COMMUNITY: Dartmouth
“My commitment to giving back as a coach is what brings True Sport to life for me! I feel that my involvement in rugby has made such a difference in my life, that I just have to pay it forward. As a coach, I encourage athletes to take care of their physical, mental and emotional health by discussing a variety of health topics and providing them with strength and conditioning programs."
Luke Rideout
AGE: 19
SPORT: Volleyball
COMMUNITY: Wolfville
“My sport experience has not only pushed me to go for it and test my limits athletically but it has underscored how important it is to give back to my community. This has allowed me to develop connections within my community, and has supported my personal growth - this is what True Sport can do!”
Mikayla Boucher
AGE: 20
SPORT: Athletics
COMMUNITY: Halifax
“I have participated in track and field for 13 years, and I can confidently say that it has given me the confidence to pursue my dreams on and off the field of play. The True Sport principle of stay healthy speaks to me as sport has helped me understand the needs of my body and how to properly fuel it to maintain a demanding schedule as a student-athlete. Sport can do so much when it is grounded in True Sport.”
Madison MacInnis
AGE: 17
SPORT: Rugby
COMMUNITY: Sydney
“Fortunately, my sporting endeavours have always been a True Sport experience and my hope is we can make that a reality for everyone, on and off the field of play. I am passionate about supporting others and encouraging their growth and chances to pursue new experiences. I find great joy and satisfaction in supporting my teammates, and giving all players the respect and acceptance they deserve. I hold the firm belief in fully committing to one’s goals and dreams by doing all you can to achieve them; if you want something, go for it!”
Natasha Sexton
AGE: 37
SPORT: Para-swimming
COMMUNITY: Sackville
“My experience in sport has felt like True Sport because I am one of the older athletes on deck at meets and typically the only or one of very few para swimmers, and my teammates and opponents have never treated me differently because of this. My experience has felt very open and accepting and one that has encouraged me to have fun and do my best no matter what that looks like. This inspires me to give back this same positive energy to other athletes and coaches in the community at large. This acceptance means the world to me and I wish this feeling for all who participate in sport.”
In the media
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
