Sports enthusiasts from the Lower Mainland are being recruited to work with elementary-school-age children to encourage them to be more active.
SOAR (Sharing Our Activities and Resources) is an initiative developed by Tennis BC, British Columbia Golf and Curl BC.
In partnership with the Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council, the not-for-profit groups are recruiting individuals to be trained in the delivery of three sports programs.
Instructors will go to schools in the Lower Mainland where there are high numbers of First Nations students, but all schools interested in school sports will also be able to request the program.
The training takes place from Jan. 13 to 16 in Coquitlam.
People who want to get involved with their community and promote active living should sign up for the training program being offered. It costs $50 for the classroom instruction on January 13, but participants will be remunerated for each of the practical application days (January 14-16).
Completion of the training program as well as a criminal record check is a prerequisite to working with SOAR.
The instructors will run:
• The Capital One Rocks and Rings program, which is a gym-based curling game for six to 12-year-olds.
• The Playground to Fairway (P2F) School Golf program, which introduces basic golf skills to school-age children with a focus on fun.
• The Learn and Play program, a fun tennis program aimed at younger children which uses mini racquets and foam balls.
The training will be hosted at Ranch Park Elementary School, 2701 Spuraway Avenue, Coquitlam, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The initiative is supported financially by viaSport and the BC Sport Participation Program as well as the Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Partners Council, Curl BC, Tennis BC and British Columbia Golf.
“The programs run by SOAR are really popular with both teachers and students so becoming an instructor is very rewarding,” said Penny Bartel, the participation manager at Curl BC.
“We hope Lower Mainland residents will take advantage of this great opportunity.”
Participants must register in advance.
Anyone who is interested in becoming an instructor should visit www.bcga.bluegolf.com to register.
• For general inquiries about the Capital One Rocks and Rings program, run by Curl BC, please contact Penny Bartel, Participation Manager at Curl BC, at pbartel@curlbc.ca or call 604-333-3620.
• For general inquiries about the Playground to Fairway (P2F) School Golf program, run by British Columbia Golf, please contact Kathy Gook, Director of School Golf, at kathy@bcga.org or call 604-279-2580 x 135.
• For general inquiries about the Learn and Play program, run by Tennis BC, contact Sarah Kadi, director of community cevelopment, at sarah@tennisbc.org or call 604-737-3123.
