2020
ANNUAL
REPORT A Voice For Sport
EVERYONE SHOULD EXPERIENCE QUALITY SPORT
Physical Address 2nd Fl, Nicholas Sheran Arena, 401 Laval Blvd W, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 3W7
Mailing Address
110 Columbia Boulevard West, Box 21090, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 6X4
Phone
403-320-5412 and 403-320-9371
Email Website
2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 2
info@lethbridgesportcouncil.ca lethbridgesportcouncil.ca
WHAT'S INSIDE Message From the Chair Executive Director Report About Us The Lethbridge Sport Council Team Our New Website Roving Gyms Achievement Awards Lethbridge SportFest Living the Legacy of Sport Tourism 2020 Alberta Summer Games Partner Programs
3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 14 15
Lethbridge Plays & Play Summit Sport For Life Pathway to Participation Member Support COVID-19 Sport Surveys Impact of COVID 19 Our Impact 2020 Testimonials Our Members Sponsors Lethbridge Sport History
15 15 16 16 18 19 20 22 23 25 26
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR As the pandemic continues to hamper organized sport and recreational facility use, it hasn’t completely dampened our spirit and hope for a return to regular activities yet. 2020 has been tough on everyone but we are hopeful for what this next year will allow as we slowly figure out what this new normal may look like. We realize not everyone will come out of this unscathed, but just know that the Lethbridge Sport Council will work hard to help local sport find its way. We are grateful we have been able to stay connected through social media. Although meeting in person was not available, the LSC staff have done a terrific job networking with our community, sharing stories of local sport champions and reflecting on past sport achievements. It’s great to see what amazing talent Lethbridge has! Be sure to check out, like and follow our social media handles so you don’t miss out. Lethbridge Sport Council hosted the 2020 AGM on September 22, a four-month delay in hopes of hosting an in-person event. We ultimately hosted a hybrid (in-person and Zoom) event and for the first time since 2008, an election was held to fill four director positions. We welcomed Chantelle Erickson, Chad Chief Moon, Mike Medhurst, and Levi Clampitt to the Board of Directors. Although we were saddened to know that the Alberta Summer Games were no longer going forward in Lethbridge, we appreciate the hard work, dedication & commitment by everyone involved in organizing it. Thank you for your continued support of the Lethbridge Sport Council and sport in southern Alberta. Erin Low
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT Hello and Oki,
It has been a year like no other. We are thankful for the work being done by our frontline workers, City of Lethbridge colleagues, and community volunteers helping to keep Lethbridge connected. As I reflect on the year, I feel privileged and appreciative of the community network that welcomes our ideas, and values what we bring to the conversation. I would like to say thank you. Thank you to our 166 community and sport members for your contributions to help make Lethbridge a vibrant community. We are incredibly pleased to have our membership numbers increase by 29%. This display of support and your feedback through our surveys and anecdotal comments help us achieve our mission to provide leadership and a collective voice for sport in Lethbridge. Everyone in the sport community has felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that many of you are volunteers contributing your time to community sport after your day at work and time with your family. Others are busy running a sport business on top of providing programming to the community. Some of you are doing both. We feel honoured to provide you the latest updates and resources to assist you in your roles. Although health measures have limited in-person contact, the increase in membership numbers and the increased need for timely updates has enhanced our connectivity and knowledge sharing. Thank you to the LSC Board of Directors for their guidance and support, to the LSC team for their creativity, optimism, passion, and hard work, and to our stakeholder partners who worked with us to provide pivoted services and programs to meet the new needs of the community. During a year when sport was forced to close its doors, we wanted to shout from the rooftops that we value sport for its impact on physical, social, emotional, and mental well-being. We published personal stories about local people over six campaigns including Coach Profiles, #MoreThanACoach, Parents in Sport, Sport Official Profiles, From Sport to Leadership – Part One: Women, and we caught up with past Lethbridge Sport Council Achievement Award winners in the series, Where Are They Now? It has been extremely rewarding to share these stories about everyday people. At least that is how they see themselves. But they are heroes to our children, and you are heroes to us. We look forward to continuing our collaborative approach to support sport organizations to thrive, children and youth to be inspired to challenge themselves through sport while having fun, and together with our community partners, continue to have a positive impact on our community. Susan Eymann
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ABOUT US
Lethbridge Sport Council is a not-for-profit organization incorporated March 28, 2008, under the Societies Act of Alberta and is an independent body supported by the City of Lethbridge, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, and managed by three full-time and one part-time staff, dedicated to support the enhancement and development of sport within the Lethbridge community.
OUR VISION Our VISION is to provide quality sport experiences to all.
OUR MISSION Our MISSION is to provide leadership and be a collective voice for sport.
CORE ACTIVITIES Provide leadership for the enhancement and development of sports in Lethbridge. Advocate and promote sport in Lethbridge Attract and promote sports events that have economic and social impact for Lethbridge and region Assist sport organizations and individuals by linking them to, or providing them with, sport-related education and support services Provide benefits to community, including but not limited to: training, volunteer organization assistance, research and information sharing and media awareness Provide input to the Municipal Capital Improvement Program and the Operating Budget by assessing sport needs Communicate to City Council any issues, challenges or initiatives related to sport on an as required basis
THE LETHBRIDGE SPORT COUNCIL AND ITS MEMBERS VALUE Sport for its impact on physical, social, emotional, and mental health
Sport for its impact on community, the economy and society
Integrity, inclusiveness, transparency, equality, and civility in interpersonal relationships
Cooperation, teamwork, and continuous improvement
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EXECUTIVE
The Lethbridge Sport Council Team
Erin Low - Chair Shaun Ward – Past Chair Ryan Westerson – Secretary Dave Sehn – Treasurer
DIRECTORS Dr. Gary Bowie, Founding Chair Neil Langevin, Athletic Director, University of Lethbridge Todd Caughlin, Athletic Director, Lethbridge College Josh Hoetmer Don Gatto Robert Baird Steve Dudas Chantelle Erickson* Chad Chief Moon* Mike Medhurst* Levi Clampitt* * Due to the COVID-19 pandemic our 2020 Annual General Meeting was postponed from the third week in May to September 22, 2020. These Directors were elected at the September 2020 Meeting.
STAFF Susan Eymann, Executive Director Tanya Whipple, Communication Manager Shawn Daye-Finley, Program & Event Coordinator Kim Trotman, Bookkeeper, Part-time Jordan Calladine, Program & Communication Intern Keegan Brantner, Program & Communication Intern
CITY OF LETHBRIDGE LIAISON Travis Grindle Jason Freund
FUNDING SUPPORT RECEIVED FROM 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 6
OUR NEW WEBSITE
In 2020, Lethbridge Sport Council developed a new website to help sport organizations reach out to more of the community. The high-quality content and easy-to-navigate design will serve as a resource for parents, athletes, coaches, and sport leaders. Our website was re-designed with two key audiences in mind:
Sport
ORGANIZATIONS Expanded resource collection for coaches and organizations, enhanced member listings, member support services, and more
Local
FAMILIES Expanded resource collection for parents and athletes, sport directory with enhanced member listings, programs, upcoming events and more
WEBSITE STATISTICS 15,000 unique users in 2020 Top 6 pages in 2020 - Roving Gyms, Sport Directory, Community Room, News, About Us, Achievement Awards Most popular news story - 'More Than a Coach' 45+ resources for parents, athletes, coaches, and organizations 25 links to 'Organizations You’ll Find Useful' – local, provincial and national sport-related website resources 42 news posts since the August 24th, 2020 website launch; 137 carried over from our old website
THE IMPROVED ONLINE SPORT DIRECTORY INCLUDES: 270 Local Sport Organizations
132 Provincial Sport Organizations
131 National Sport Organizations
Enhanced Member Listings
We are excited about the enhanced member listings. Organization members now have the option to include photos, videos, social media links and information about their facilities to their listing. 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 7
… are free, inclusive, play spaces for children five years of age and under and their parents or caregivers. Roving Gyms nurtures physical literacy, the love of movement, and provides an environment for families to connect.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
As a founding member of the Lethbridge Early Years Coalition the Lethbridge Sport Council along with the Lethbridge Public Library and Parents as Teachers, offered a pilot Roving Gyms program at the downtown Lethbridge library branch in 2016. The immediate success saw the program expand to six locations held three times per week for two 10-week long sessions in the fall and winter months. This program was never intended to remain under the Coalition’s management. Rather than see the program’s demise, Lethbridge Sport Council assumed the management and facilitation of Lethbridge Roving Gyms in 2019. With the onset of COVID-19 pandemic and the provincial health measures, Roving Gyms returned as an outdoor program. This was to ensure COVID-19 protocols were in place and clearly communicated to participant families prior to the indoor sessions starting up in the fall. The Gyms turned out to be very important for families with young children as expressed in their testimonials.
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PARENT TESTIMONIALS
THE STATS
WINTER INDOOR PROGRAM 24 sessions, 330 participants
SUMMER OUTDOOR PROGRAM 12 sessions, 433 participants
FALL INDOOR PROGRAM 17 sessions, 599 participants
ADAPTING TO THE PANDEMIC The COVID-19 pandemic led the Lethbridge Sport Council to implement a number of new protocols to the Roving Gyms program, to ensure the safety of the participants and staff. We implemented cohorts, daily health screening, contact tracing, enhanced cleaning, distancing, and the use of personal protective equipment. 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 9
In 2009, the results of a community sport survey clearly indicated our community wanted us to host annual sport awards. Since 2010, 135 individuals, teams, sport organizations, and businesses have been recognized for their achievements and for their spirit, drive, and commitment on and off the field of play. Thank you to the 2020 LSCAA Sponsors: Horn's Hockey Alumni, Lethbridge College Kodiaks, Servus Credit Union, University of Lethbridge Pronghorns, Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame, Jeff's OnTarget Painting, ENMAX Centre, and Tourism Lethbridge.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2019 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Senior Male Athlete
Junior Male Athlete
Junior Female Athlete
Bryce Gallup (Taewondo)
Angelina EllisToddington (Wrestling)
Kaleb Muller (speed skating)
Amateur Team
Coaching Excellence
Volunteer in Sport
Nanette Dupont Rink (Curling)
Pat Selk (Wrestling)
Staci Muller (Speed Skating)
Dr. Gary Bowie Sport Excellence Chinook Open Lethbridge Skating Club
Sport Administrator
Sport Organization
Todd Caughlin (Lethbridge College Kodiaks)
Lethbridge Speed Skating Association
Shaun Ward Sport Champion
Servus Credit Union Outstanding Sport Citizen
Knud Petersen Spirit in Sport Award
Mary Dyck (Multi-sport)
Shelby Smith (Archery)
Lethbridge Steel Football Association
Senior Female Athlete Sandra Latrace (Athletics)
Special Olympic Athlete
Moriah Van’t Land (Figure Skating)
Business and Sport Excellence
SLP Industries (Skateboarding)
In 2020, we took a look back with a series called Where Are they Now following up on past award recipients. Many are still involved in sport, although not always the same one. It is especially satisfying to hear how the lessons learned from sport has continued to influence their lives. Head over to the News section of our website to read their stories. 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 10
SportFest is an interactive community event to showcase local sport, physical activity, and active recreation organizations and businesses. Families and individuals have an opportunity to meet with organization volunteers and staff, learn about the many sport choices in Lethbridge, and try a new-to-them sport at one of our come-try-it zones – synthetic ice, sport court, and turf.
VIRTUAL SPORTFEST - A PIVOT PROJECT The in-person 2020 SportFest was cancelled in its usual format and replaced with SportFest 2020 Virtual Edition. Local sport organizations and businesses had the opportunity to work with Lethbridge Sport Council to produce promotional materials including a 60 second video, a 5-minute video, and an online magazine based on the videos.
The videos and online magazine could then be used on their website and social media, as well as linked to their enhanced member listing on the Lethbridge Sport Council website.
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LIVING THE LEGACY OF SPORT TOURISM Lethbridge and southwestern Alberta have a history of great partnerships; in hosting sport events this dates back to the 1975 Canada Winter Games where 27 Mayors and Reeves signed the bid submission resolution. In 1998, the Lethbridge Sports Bid Committee was created for the purpose of assisting local sport organizations in their bid to host major sport competitions. In 2007, City Council directed an initiative to develop a sport and recreation policy since the bidding and hosting delivery system is closely tied to sport development. Within the new Sport and Recreation Policy, a “unified voice for sport” was identified as an important component of the local sport delivery model, with the formation of the Lethbridge Sport Council being a key recommendation. The Lethbridge Sport Council values and embraces the partnerships fostered during the first 10-years of our mission to provide leadership and a collective voice for sport in Lethbridge and beyond. In 2018, the mandate to attract and promote sport events shifted with the creation of Tourism Lethbridge.
LETHBRIDGE'S TEAM, THE NATIVE SONS, REPRESENTED TEAM ALBERTA AND WON GOLD AT THE 1975 CANADA WINTER GAMES ALBERTA HOCKEY SPORTS HALL OF FAME 2020 INDUCTEE
We strive to be the voice for sport as we assist, support, and connect sport with Tourism Lethbridge and other stakeholders ensuring that the vision of local sport organizations and local sport development remains an important factor when assessing which sport events to attract to Lethbridge. We continue to provide sport bidding and hosting consultation to local bidding and hosting committees to provide expertise acquired over the 23 years since the Lethbridge Sports Bid Committee was formalized. 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 12
LIVING THE LEGACY OF SPORT TOURISM In 2020, sport event support and consultation were provided to: ENMAX Centre Lethbridge Wrestling Association Lethbridge Lightning Senior AA Hockey Lethbridge Paradise Canyon Open PGA Tour Lethbridge Skating Club 2020 Lethbridge Alberta Summer Games Lethbridge Curling Club
GAMES LEGACY FUND CONTRIBUTES TO LOCAL SPORT CLUBS LONG-TERM PLANS In preparation for the 2020 Lethbridge Alberta Summer Games, local sport organizations involved in one of the fourteen Games sports were invited to submit proposals requesting funds from the 2012 Games Legacy for short- and long- term development projects. Nine proposals were received. Each was awarded between $2,000 and $4,320 depending on their request; 50% of the funds were distributed to help the organizations begin their project and 50% will be distributed on receipt of the final report. The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed or halted the work on many of these projects. Some have adjusted their projects to reflect their new reality. LOCAL SPORT ORGANIZATION Lethbridge Minor Softball Lethbridge Minor Football Lethbridge BMX Lethbridge Track and Field Lethbridge Amateur Swim Club Lethbridge Minor Basketball Lethbridge Lacrosse Lethbridge Soccer ASDC Southwest
PROPOSAL - DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Game and player equipment Member recruitment – promotion and marketing Loaner equipment, marketing to grow membership Equipment – high jump mat Coach education and training Coach development Coach/official development, new member recruitment Coach education, equipment – soccer balls Athlete development program for local sports
AWARDED $4,320 $4,320 $4,320 $4,320 $3,300 $4,320 $4,320 $2,000 $2,000
Lethbridge Minor Softball proposal outlined the need for game and player equipment. A quote from their final report speaks to the importance of having good equipment available: "The impact of this project has already been seen in the excitement of our players that are going to be able to use and see that having good equipment can make a big difference in performance not only in achievements of the players but in safety in doing so. (An example being), having a proper catcher’s mitt allows for beginner catchers to protect their hands and fingers. Having updated bases that don’t have rips or tears in them allows for players to feel safe in running the bases.”
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LIVING THE LEGACY OF SPORT TOURISM 2020 ALBERTA SUMMER GAMES
In 2018 Lethbridge Sport Council led the successful bid to host the 2020 Games. Staff continued to be involved with the Games organizing committee, both at an executive level as a sport and community liaison and at the board level as the Protocol Director and Facilites Director. Thank you to the Games planning Board of Directors, Rick Blakeley, Games President Chris Witkowski, Games Vice-Chair Dean Leuzinger, Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne Konayenbelt, Executive Director Allan Friesen, Executive Director Christine Lee, Accommodations Co- Director Mark Deboer, Accommodations Co- Director Adan Zanomi, Administration Director Suzanne Lint, Culture Director Sherry Hazelaar, Facilities Director Brian Wickers, Food Services Director Joel Snodgrass, Friends of the Game Director
Jeremy McPherson, Promotions Director Jillian Bracken, Ceremonies Director Tanya Whipple, Protocol Director Chirs Mabie, Registration & Results Co- Director Linzey Mabie, Registration & Results Co- Director Deb Marek, Sport Co- Director Ilsa Wong, Sport Co- Director Kathleen Sheppard, Sustainability Director Darrell Alexander, Transportation Director Stephanie Wierl, Volunteer Director Diane Shanks, Safety & Communications Director
To show our tremendous appreciation to the 2020 Games planning volunteers, many of who committed two years of planning, the Lethbridge Sport Council in partnership with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and the ENMAX Centre hosted an appreciation evening for 75 volunteers and their partners. The evening began with a buffet menu served by the ENMAX Centre, messages of appreciation for the 2-year commitment from Erin Low, Lethbridge Sport Council Chair, Rick Blakeley, Games Chair, and Mayor Chris Spearman, and the evening wrapped up with the Lethbridge Hurricanes taking on the Red Deer Rebels. In March 2020, the Lethbridge Alberta Summer Games Society announced the Games would be postponed to July 2021, and then ultimately the Games were cancelled in January 2021.
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PARTNER PROGRAMS LETHBRIDGE PLAYS AND PLAY SUMMIT
The Play Summit hosted in January 2020 is a half-day annual development opportunity for local stakeholders with the unifying belief in the importance and benefits of play. We are a stakeholder of Lethbridge Plays and the Play Summit, as well as provide marketing, planning, and technical support. The LSC team presented a 5-minute 'lightning’ presentation about Roving Gyms. When the pandemic affected the normally scheduled sport and recreation activities, Lethbridge Sport Council partnered with Lethbridge Plays to provide families an accessible, free, and fun new way to play. Summer Fun Bins are large hockey bags full of simple objects from sponges and buckets to balls and pool noodles that can be loaned one week at a time.
SPORT FOR LIFE
We welcomed Sport for Life to Lethbridge early in the year to host two workshops, Quality Sport for Communities and Clubs and Physical Literacy Movement Preparation. The Sport for Life Society is a National not-for-profit organization that has evolved from a decade of work supporting the expansive Canadian Sport for Life movement. They aim to connect sectors and align community, provincial, and national programming. A few months into the pandemic we joined an all Alberta virtual panel hosted by Sport for Life, Quality Sport for Communities and Clubs – The Future of Alberta where we shared the challenges community sport was facing, how we evaluated and modified our programs and events, and the results from the COVID-19 check-in survey with sport organizations. We continue to embrace the sport for life model and promote an understanding in a collaborative approach to strengthen community sport. LETHBRIDGE SPORT COUNCIL CONNECTIONS MODEL USED TO DEMONSTRATE OUR CURRENT COLLABORATIONS BY SECTOR
2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 15
Funded by the Recreation and Physical Activity Project Macro Grant Program, Recreation & Physical Activity Branch, Alberta Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women.
Lethbridge Sport Council's support to engage urban Indigenous youth and their families in sport and active recreation began in 2017 following conversations with Treena Tallow. The Pathway to Participation (P2P) project began with a vision to identify and enhance welcoming pathways to participation in sport, physical activity, and active recreation in Lethbridge. The P2P project which began in 2019 has received an extension to December 31, 2022. In January and February we hosted a Sport for life Movement Preparation workshop and seven Come-Try-Lacrosse events hosted in partnerships between the Lethbridge Sport Council, Chad Chief Moon, Sik-Ooh-Kitoki Friendship Centre, Lethbridge College, and the Lethbridge Lacrosse Association. Come-Try-It events are open to all skill levels while the age range is determined by each sport organization. Come-Try-It participants receive information about the local club, program schedule, registration details, and fee subsidy information for registration and equipment. The Sik-Ooh-Kotoki - Sport Connection - Lethbridge Facebook Group was created in June 2020 to help community members stay connected and share sport and physical activity opportunities and news from in and around the land that is Lethbridge, called SikOoh-Kotoki by the Blackfoot people. The 71 member group had 67 posts with 194 engagements. Lethbridge Sport Council and our community partners value sport for its impacts physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally. No other domain of community life has demonstrated sport’s capacity to connect so many young people to positive adult role models and mentors, opportunities for positive development, and help to acquire critical life skills. 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 16
MEMBER SUPPORT
In 2020 we began providing consultation under our new Member Support Services initiative. Services include: Organizational Planning AGM Assistance Policy and Procedure Primer Website Audit Social Media Lesson Support to Form a Not-For-Profit Media Relations Volunteer Management Award Nomination Writing Support Community Connections Letters of Support Grant Writing Support, and Sport Event Bidding & Hosting Consultation & Support
Through our Member Support Services initiative we were able to support many local organizations and committees, including: 1974-75 Lethbridge Native Sons 1983 Schwartz Angels ACE Volleyball Club Adaptable Outdoors Recreation Society Alberta Summer Games Brier Bid Committee Canadian Gaelic Athletic Association Cor Van Raay YMCA Dragon Boat Association of Southern Alberta ENMAX Centre Field Hockey Alberta Lethbridge Amateur Wrestling Association Lethbridge Bulls Baseball Lethbridge Judo Lethbridge Lacrosse Association Lethbridge Paradise Canyon Open PGA Tour Lethbridge Pickleball Club Lethbridge River Recreation Society
A MEMBER SUPPORT TESTIMONIAL "Dragonboat Association of Southern Alberta (DASA) is immensely grateful for the services and support provided by Lethbridge Sport Council. In the past two years, they helped our board unite and grow through various activities, including facilitating team building sessions, AGMs, board elections, town halls, and by-laws, especially with the transition to a virtual format. Lethbridge Sport Council’s support has enabled our board to handle what’s in front of us now and be better prepared to face our future." Leanne DuMontier, President, Dragonboat Association of Southern Alberta
Lethbridge Skating Club Lethbridge Soccer Association Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame Lethbridge Steamers Wheelchair Basketball Team Lethbridge Viper Football Club Lethbridge Vipers Football Club Lethbridge Volleyball Club Pass Powderkeg Ski Area Sport Tourism Canada
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COVID-19 SPORT SURVEYS
At the start of the pandemic, Lethbridge Sport Council sent out a survey to local sport organizations to hear how they were being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We had 37 survey responses representing 15,000 members and 1,500 community sport volunteers. Lethbridge Sport Council members anticipated reduced registrations and revenue streams, feared families would not have funds to participate once restrictions lifted, and wondered how teams would be able to modify their game to account for the mandatory health measures. In the meantime, organizations were being creative to stay connected to their members and to keep children involved and active. Board of directors were hosting virtual meetings while coaches were hosting online training sessions and linking to online resources.
89%
of sport organizations reported they were forced to temporarily close
11%
were open with modifications offering virtual coaching and training sessions
65%
are not eligible for provincial or federal subsidy or support programs
89%
have seen a reduction in income from membership fees and sales
91%
have seen a reduction in income from fundraising, events, grants, & sponsorships
IMPACTS OF COVID-19 ON LOCAL FAMILIES As restrictions were being lifted in July, families with children were invited to share their COVID-19 experiences. Survey results provided information on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their participation in sport, physical activity, and recreation during the shutdown and through the relaunch. “It is incredibly important to community decision-making that we have data and information about the local sport sector. Sport and recreation reflect a community's values and are tremendous contributors to economic development.” Amanda Jensen, Executive Director, Volunteer Lethbridge "Thank you for the sport participation statistics and the COVID-19 sport and parent survey results. It is exactly what I needed for my research and proposal." Infographic published August 2020
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Tobi Lyons, Director, Lethbridge Soccer Association
IMPACTS OF COVID-19
A CHANGE IN HOW SPORT COUNCIL OPERATES In an effort to continue to meet the needs of the community through the pandemic, we changed how we provide our services to our members and community. The chart below provides an overview of how our services were adjusted.
Program and event plans Pre-COVID-19 Southern Alberta Summer Games – Team Lethbridge
Action Taken CANCELLED
Alternate COVID-19 Programs & Resources Active @ Home through Active Recreation and Sport
Fast and Female Champ Chat
CANCEL AND PIVOT
Active Girls @ Home, From Sport to Leadership Women Series
2020 Lethbridge Alberta Summer Games
POSTPONED THEN CANCELLED
Sport Training @ Home
Board Leadership Lethbridge
CANCELLED
Education and Training @ Home Traditional Games and Dance @ Home, Formed a Facebook Group to share active opportunities
Pathway to Participation for Lethbridge Indigenous Families
PIVOT
Lethbridge Plays
NEW PROGRAM
Loanable Summer Fun Bins
Roving Gyms
NEW PROGRAM
Outdoor Roving Gyms
Achievement Awards
PIVOT
Virtual Presentation Video
SportFest
CANCEL AND PIVOT
Virtual SportFest
2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 19
OUR IMPACT 2020 OUR TEAM
3 Full-time and 1 part-time Staff 4 - 16-Week Student-Athletes Internships 15 Volunteer Board of Directors 23 volunteers, 199 Volunteer hours 166 Members: 90 Sport Organization, 29 Associate, and 47 Individual Members PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES 2075 Total Program Participants Roving Gyms: 55 sessions and 1362 participants 71 members on the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki - Sport Connection – Lethbridge Facebook group 50 at Play Summit 13 Movement Preparation workshop 55 Sport for Life Webinar Alberta Panel 184 Participants and 14 session, Pathway to Participation for Lethbridge Indigenous Families WE ARE THERE WHEN YOU NEED US Supported 61 local sport organizations 48 community partnerships Consulted with 34 regional, provincial, and national organizations 49 COVID-19 communications to our membership Active member on 12 community boards and committees PROJECT GRANTS Venture for Canada - 4 x 4-month Program and Communication Internships for Student-athletes City of Lethbridge Event Grant for 2020 Play Summit Alberta Physical Activity & Recreation Branch - Pathway to Participation for Lethbridge Indigenous Families Community Choosewell, Alberta Recreation & Parks Association - Loanable Sport and Activity Kits LSC COMMUNITY ROOM 116 Bookings 380 Hours booked
2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 20
OUR IMPACT 2020 (con't) BIDDING & HOSTING SUPPORT 2020 Lethbridge Paradise Canyon Open PGA Tour 2020 Southern Alberta Summer Games 2020 Lethbridge Alberta Summer Games 2022 Tim Horton’s Brier 2020 Alberta Senior Hockey AA Provincials 2020 Chinook Open STARSkate Invitational ENMAX Centre
ONLINE ENGAGEMENT 15,639 website visits 15 Constant Contact newsletters (45% open rate; 12% click rate) 706 Newsletter subscribers 2,622 Twitter followers 1,604 Twitter engagements 335 average Twitter daily impressions 1,390 Facebook likes 7,180 Facebook engagements 1, 050 Instagram followers 721 Instagram engagements 165 LinkedIn followers 9,728 total social media engagements 33+ Traditional media reports; 14 stories 650 YouTube Achievement Award views QUALITY SPORT PEOPLE Coach Profiles featuring Greg Gibos, Heidi Shaw, Joe Carroll, Larry Steinke, Dave Waknuk, Kami Makar, Shaelin Westerson, JJ Ondrus, Mitchell Dornblut, Scott Rathwell, Jaime Thomas, Jill Tataryn, Simon Schaerz, Olea Taboulchanas, Randy Bardock, Shawn Daye-Finley, Nash Shipton, Sue Stevenson, Suzanne Harris, Anna Schwark, Neil Langevin, Russ Gallant, Dallas Ducheminsky, Karen Johnson, Lee Mein, Randy Hyland, Brad Dersch, Jimi Pearce, Megan Robbins, Tim Cooney, Caroline Reimer, Patrick Selk, and Ryan Heggie. MoreThanACoach featuring Jaime Thomas and Ric Suggitt Parents in Sport profiles featuring Blayne and Lisa Harvey, Darren Williams, Sheila-Rae Olivieri, and Deborah Williams. Sport Official Profiles featuring Charlene Kitt, Deirdre Coburn, Jennifer Parker, Katrina Brandt, Kimberley Edmonds, Leah Murphy, Michael Barwegen, Mitch Ball, and Raymond de Mateo. From Sport to Leadership - Part One: Women stories featuring Keegan Brantner, Paula Burns, Maria Fitzpatrick, and Kara Hagan. Where Are They Now? profiles of past LSC Achievement Awards winners featuring Kaleb Muller, Mitch Maxwell, Knud Petersen, Tim Takahashi, Kent Aitchison, Deborah Williams, Rachel Nicol, and the 2011-2012 Wilson Middle School Boys Basketball Team. 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 21
TESTIMONIALS Thank you for all of your support to help develop news releases for our new organization and for helping connect us with the local media. Anthony Parker, Lethbridge Vipers Football Club The Lethbridge Sport Council has gone over and beyond in helping my organization with questions on a regular basis in regards to COVID-19 and facilitate any other questions or concerns my organization has had over this past year. Your Council continues to be a great asset to our organization and we appreciate everything that you have done for us and your ongoing updates not only in our community but provincially as well. Thank you! Brandi Merritt-Miyanaga, Indomitable Spirit Taekwon-Do Foundation
It is very much appreciated along with all the work and support you do! :) Couldn't do this without your help or your passion for helping out all the sport teams here in Lethbridge!!! :) Jennifer Drader, President, Lethbridge Minor Softball Association
Working at the LSC provided me an opportunity to better understand the value of sport for a community. I was able to see how the cancellation of sport affected people. I saw strong commitment, dedication, and hard work put in by organizations to provide sport again. During my internship, I was encouraged to contribute ideas to the team. I had the freedom and guidance to pursue projects I found valuable and was passionate about, like the Sport to Leadership series. Keegan Brantner, Studeent-Athlete Program and Communication Intern
The skills they (Lethbridge Sport Council staff) instilled in me have since transferred through my subsequent employment positions and education. There was always great energy in the office, and Susan and Tanya are incredibly knowledgeable in their respective fields, appropriately creating tasks and opportunities for growth for all their employees! Jordan Calladine, Student-Athlete Program and Communication Intern
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OUR MEMBERS
Organization member receives timely sport news about funding opportunities, training and education, sport related resources, and access to our comprehensive range of support services.
SPORT ORGANIZATION MEMBERS ACE Volleyball Club Adaptable Outdoor Recreation Society Alberta Field Hockey Association Alberta Sport Development Centre SW Alberta Whitewater Association BikeBridge Cycling Association Blind Bowling Braves Hockey Bridge City Gunner Disc Golf Association Cirque Sensation Champion Taekwon-Do Chinook Country Shooters Club Cor Van Raay YMCA Coulee Climbing Dragonboat Association of Southern AB FUEL Lifestyle and Performance G.S Lakie Middle School Headwinds Cycling Club High Level Canoes and Kayaks High Performance Hockey Immanuel Christian Secondary School Indomitable Spirit Taekwon-Do Foundation Kinetic Indoor Cycle & Fitness LA Hotshot Target Shooting Club Lane Archery Legacy Tae Kwon-Do Schools Lethbridge Alberta Cycling Association Lethbridge Amateur Swim Club Lethbridge Amateur Wrestling Association Lethbridge American Legion Baseball Lethbridge BMX Association Lethbridge Bowbenders Lethbridge Boxing Club Lethbridge Bulls Baseball Club Lethbridge Children's Learn to Skate Lethbridge Curling Club Lethbridge Diving Club Lethbridge Fish and Game Association Lethbridge Gymnastics Academy Lethbridge Junior Badminton Club Lethbridge Vipers Football Club Lethbridge College Kodiaks Lethbridge Kung Fu Lethbridge Kyodokan Judo Club Lethbridge Lawn Bowling Club Lethbridge Lacrosse Association Lethbridge Lightning Senior AA Hockey
Lethbridge Little League Baseball Lethbridge Midget T5 Hurricanes 2019/20 Lethbridge Minor Basketball Association Lethbridge Minor Football Association Lethbridge Minor Hockey Association Lethbridge Minor Softball Association Lethbridge & Area Rec Hockey Club Lethbridge Pickleball Club Lethbridge Rams Football Lethbridge Ringette Association Lethbridge Roller Derby Guild Lethbridge Rugby Club Lethbridge Pronghorns Lethbridge Skating Club Lethbridge Soccer Association Lethbridge Shotokan Karate Lethbridge Speed Skating Association Lethbridge Steel Lethbridge Synchrobelles Lethbridge Tennis Club Lethbridge Track and Field Club Lethbridge Volleyball Club Lethbridge Wheelchair Basketball Assoc. LFGA Shooting Sports Facility ORCAS - Lethbridge Summer Swim Club Parkrun Canada Perfect Storm Athletics Pass Powderkeg Ski Area Prairie Baseball Academy Progressive Fighting Academy Pure Power Wrestling Runner’s Soul Roller Hockey Association of Lethbridge Southern Alberta Bowhunting Association Southern AB Firearms Education Society Southern Alberta Inline Southern Alberta Skating Academy Special Olympics Lethbridge Strength Camp Alberta Tailwind Equestrian The Lethbridge Squash Association U of Lethbridge Pronghorn Men's Hockey U of Lethbridge Pronghorns Ringette U of Lethbridge Pronghorns Women's Hockey Val Matteotti Golden Hawks West Wind Gymnastics Club
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OUR MEMBERS
Associate members are non-voting members who have interest in sport in Lethbridge as part of their mandate or operations but it is not their primary focus or activity. Individual members are non-voting members who are interested in sport in Lethbridge and support the Lethbridge Sport Council mandate.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Alberta Recreation and Parks Association Be Fit For Life - Lethbridge College Bottles4Boulet Jeff's On-Target Painting Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame MPP Photography Spinal Cord Injury Alberta The Tetra Society of North America Lethbridge Chapter The Bridge Sports Therapy & Training Volunteer Lethbridge Association Adapt Chiropractic Blood Tribe Recreation Lethbridge Lodging Association Team Lethbridge – S. AB. Summer Games Bowls Alberta Canadian Gaelic Athletic Association Elite Sports Medicine Horns Hockey Alumni Association Integral Hockey Lethbridge Lethbridge 2020 Alberta Summer Games Lethbridge College Kodiaks Reeltrekk South Region - Skate Canada - AB/ NWT/NUN SteepleJAC Athletics Swim Alberta Tourism Lethbridge The Gym In The North Under the Lights Entertainment University of Lethbridge Pronghorns
2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 24
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS Angela Bruce Brandi Merritt-Miyanaga Chad Chief Moon Chantelle Erickson Charlotte Dziendzielowski Cherise Eaves Craig Burrows-Johnson Crystal Scheit Dave Sehn David Wildman Don Gatto Erin Low Francisca Badilla Gordon Hunter Hayley Wall Heather Mathur Henry Peters Jason Freund Jonathan Dick Jordan Calladine Josh Hoetmer Kelsey Rathwell Knud Petersen Lacie Daniels Levi Clampitt Lori Harasem Lucie Mayer-Wegelin Malcom Kano Mike kennedy Mike Medhurst Rob Baird Ryan Westerson Sandra McGrath Shaun Ward Shawn Daye-Finley Sherry Hazelaar Susan Eymann Susan Gouw Tanya Whipple Todd Caughlin Todd Peterson Travis Grindle Trevor Sakatch Gary Bowie Steve Dudas Neil Langevin Keegan Brantner
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
HOCKEY ALUMNI
THANK YOU TO OUR GRANT PROVIDERS
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DID YOU KNOW?
LETHBRIDGE SPORT HISTORY Lethbridge is proud of our sporting DNA. In the 1880’s, as the community of Lethbridge was being formed, some of the very first organizations in the community were sport associations. Sports in Lethbridge in the 1880s involved everything from bullets to baseballs, as associations representing various athletic endeavours sprang up to nurture their growth in the budding community. LETHBRIDGE VS CALGARY BASEBALL GAME IN GALT GARDENS 1906
The first, the Lethbridge Rifle Association, was formed in 1886 with Sir Alexander Galt, a father of Confederation, as its patron. In a quaint tradition, married men competed against bachelors, with the winners treated to dinner. Thus, the first reception associated with a sporting event became a tradition linked to many future events. Galt’s association with sport led him to donate a tract of land in the business district, known historically as Galt Park (now sport-free Galt Garden) and, in the early days, as the Square. It was here Lethbridge teams competed in a pantheon of sports, including baseball, soccer, lacrosse, cricket and rugby, and, elsewhere in the community, horse racing, polo, track and field, cycling, tennis, curling, skating, gymnastics, boxing, wrestling, golf, and more. Teams from Lethbridge made their mark throughout the Northwest Territories, the formation of Alberta still two decades away. 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 26
GALT GARDENS FOOT RACE 1906
CHINOOK BICYCLE CLUB 1894-1900