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True Sport Moments - 2017 Canada Summer Games

True Sport Alive and Well at Summer Games

The True Sport movement in Canada promotes values-based sport from the playground to the podium and is a reaction to the negative stories so often heard about on the fields and in the stands. True Sport is a medium for sharing stories of good sports because good sports can have a great impact.  Great moments of good sportsmanship exhibiting the True Sport Principles are highlighted and celebrated with a Standing O from members of the True Sport Lives Here Manitoba Committee. Here are some True Sport Moments we've recognized from week one:

True Sport Recognizes Oath-Takers

The first True Sport Moment to be celebrated was for those who took the True Sport Oath at the Opening Ceremonies: Coach Claude Berube (above holding white TS swag bag); track & field athlete Niyah Spencer and Official, Frank Fargey demonstrating the 50th Canada Games are a recognized True Sport event.

Sharing Principles - and Lunch!
When Team Ontario Divers didn't have any lunch at the Pan Pool on July 30th, Team BC Divers - realizing they had time to return to the Athletes Village to eat – gave up their lunches to ensure their fellow athletes had sustenance before competition. Living the TS Principles like playing fair, respecting others, and helping everyone stay healthy, this True Sport Moment belongs to athletes: Bryden Hattie, Ryan Grover, Sam Braun, Nick Nepomuceno, Coral Strugnell, Tanesha Lucoe, Alison Komlos and Jessie Nowotny.   Thanks for reminding us that sport is never neutral – and good sport is just great!

The girls are holding the "Echo the Orca" pins they were given for showing such great True Sport spirit. Photos provided.

4 photos of Athletes who displayed True Sports-manship in Summer Games

Athlete steps up!
While Kristy’s Athletics coach was at the stadium with other coaching staff and competing athletes, Kristy’s teammate had a medical emergency at the Athletes Village. Kristy figured out how to text her teammate's mother to contact their coach at the stadium. That done, Kristy promptly got her teammate to the Polyclinic, and had him checked-in, triaged, and with a doctor by the time the coach arrived.  Kristy exemplified True Sport: she showed a great level of responsibility, and the willingness to put another person's health and safety first. Kristy Alford deserves a Standing O! [Oh, and Kristy won gold in the 100km race, too!]

True Sport Moment from Team Yukon
Team Yukon’s Women’s Basketball Team lost to P.E.I. and are out of contention – so why all the smiles and positive vibes in their post-game huddle? Alongside the team (in grey left – right are Head Coach, Tyler Bradford; Assistant Coach, Deidre Davidson; and Manager/Assistant Coach, Claire Abbott).  What Team Yukon heard from Bradford & staff: “We’re proud of how hard you worked all week and that you played with tenacity and heart.”  A True Sport moment of keeping a positive attitude and losing with grace.

Newfoundland & Labrador Give Back
For the past three years, the athletes of the 2017 Canada Games Newfoundland & Labrador Baseball Team have been involved with supporting youth-oriented sport programs and young athletes. Giving Back is intrinsic - many of the players volunteer with their local minor baseball associations to assist the young athletes of tomorrow. Prior to their departure for the Games, Team NL hosted a development session and invited 30 Pee Wee AAA players to join them on the field. It was another opportunity for players to give back to the associations that helped foster their development as young people, and Canada Games’ athletes. 

Throughout the CG process, Ryan Murphy, their bat boy was treated like a member of the team, and made part of all their activities. Arriving in Winnipeg, Team NL was assigned two wonderful young bat boys - Luca and Jack - who instantly bonded with them, while the players enjoyed making Jack and Luca part of the team. So when team staff learned that Luca’s Pee Wee AAA Provincials were on this week – they made special arrangements to be there to cheer Luca on! 
A big part of the Canada Games, and sport in general, is to create memories that will last a lifetime and to forge relationships that provide a solid foundation for development.  Way to give back, Team N&L Baseball! 

 Girls basketball team huddled together with coaches

Big shout out to Team Manitoba with Women's Basketball Team taking Bronze medal. Way to Go For It!


The Wesmen celebrate True Sport, Friday, February 24th at the Women's and Men's Volleyball Games. Download the special "True Sport" insert in the evening's program [PDF].

The Wesmen Way is the True Sport Way - Watch the Video!

May 17, 2016

The University of Winnipeg Wesmen is proud to announce they are one of seven local organizations that have joined together to launch “True Sports Lives Here Manitoba.”

True Sport is dedicated to creating a good sport experience, based on the values of fairness, excellence, inclusion and fun.  True Sport Lives Here Manitoba is a response to the negative public perception of sport. This comes following the 2015 ‘Attack on Sport’ Forum facilitated by UWinnipeg’s Dr. Glen Bergeron, which explored challenges facing the sport community: increasing reports of bullying, harassment and doping alongside national reports of declining participation in sports, due to related factors.

“The principles and values of the True Sport Lives Here Manitoba just make sense,” explains Dr. Bergeron, Acting Dean of the Gupta Faculty of Kinesiology and Applied Health, “Every parent wants his or her child to compete in a positive, character-building environment, which can have a lasting impact. We forget that participating and competing in sport should ultimately be one thing: Fun.  We need to return to respect in sport: respect for each other on the fields, on the ice, and in the stands. ” 
True Sport is a cross-Canada movement that encourages communities and sports-related groups of all ages to combat negative attitudes and behaviours through positive values, actions and awareness about what good sport is, and how it can be accomplished.  

True Sport promotes these seven principles:

      1. Go for it – Always strive for excellence and rise to the challenge, but never at the expense of others. Discover how good you can be.
      2. Play Fair – Play honestly and obey the rules, in letter and spirit. Winning is only meaningful when competition is fair.
      3. Respect Others – Show respect for everyone involved in creating a sporting experience, both on the field and off. Win with dignity and lose with grace.
      4. Keep it Fun – Find the joy and have a good time. Keep a positive attitude and look to make a positive difference, on the field and in your community.
      5. Stay Healthy – Place physical and mental health above all other considerations and avoid unsafe activities. Respect your body and keep in shape.
      6. Include Everyone – Share sport with others, regardless of creed, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or ability. Invite everyone into sport to make it more meaningful for the whole community.
      7. Give Back – Always remember the community that supports your sport and helps make it possible. Find ways to show your appreciation and help others get the most out of sport.

For good sport to really make a difference, the principles need to be in play at all times, working together.  For sport to have the opportunity to make the greatest difference, True Sport teams, clubs, athletes, coaches and teachers commit to these Principles for Sport.
All nine University of Winnipeg Wesmen varsity teams will commit to this initiative and will promote the True Sport Lives Here Manitoba campaign at Wesmen games starting this September.
“Having the Wesmen program become part of the True Sport movement and adhering to the Principles of True Sport was an easy decision. These principles are already reflected in our Wesmen Code of Conduct. We believe these principles should form the basis for all of amateur sport, and the Wesmen program is proud to be a part of True Sport Lives Here Manitoba,” said Dave Crook, The University of Winnipeg’s Acting Athletic Director, “We are happy to say that the Wesmen Way is the True Sport Way.”

Join us! Visit: http://truesportpur.ca/join


True Sport Lives Here Manitoba rooted in UWinnipeg Event

Dr. Glen Bergeron

The origins of the True Sport Movement in Manitoba lie in a discussion forum held at UWinnipeg began by Gupta Faculty of Kinesiology's Dr. Glen Bergeron.  He spear-headed and facilitated "Attack on Sport!" a public discussion forum at UWinnipeg's Eckhart-Gramatté back in February 2015.  True Sport was a response to how to combat and deal with what was negative in community, school, amateur and professional sports.

Dr. Glen Bergeron - Organized and Facilitated the "Attack on Sport!" Discussion Forum in 2015


November 20, 2015

Be part of the Public Forum on the True Sport Manitoba Movement (a follow-up event from the Attack on Sport! Discussion Forum in February 2015).


Too often we hear of the negative aspects of sports in today's media. We need to highlight and promote the true values of sport: sportsmanship, good behaviour, and FUN. How do we make this happen?  Learn more about how you can play a part in the True Sport movement. As Manitoba looks forward to hosting the 2017 Canada Games - catch the True Sport Manitoba wave.  It's time.

True Sport - Save the date, Nov 20th
Sponsored by the City of Winnipeg, the Public Forum on the True Sport Movement is free of charge (but advanced registration is required). The November 20th event takes place at the Centennial Recreation Centre, 90 Sinclair (at Dufferin), refreshments at 5:30pm, formal program at 6:30pm.

This event builds on the interactive public forum held at The University of Winnipeg last February 2015, on the societal impact of sport, and the current challenges facing the sport community.


Attack on Sport! - February 2015, UWinnipeg
"Attack on Sport / Sport: a Changing Landscape" event featured, Paul Melia, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, on the role of sport today. Here is the event video, created by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.

A panel discussion panel followed, facilitated by Dr. Glen Bergeron, Associate Dean of the Gupta Faculty of Kinesiology & Applied Health. The panel included:

  • Alex Gardiner, Head Coach, Canadian Track & Field Team at the 2012 Olympics
  • Sandra Kirby, Ph.D., Professor Emerita, UWinnipeg, former Olympian
  • Jeff Palamar, LLB, Taylor McCaffrey Law Office
  • Jeff Powell, General Manager, Canadian Sports Centre

Click here to download the Attack on Sport proceedings.

The materials generated from the excellent discussions that followed are also available for download.