Olympian Beckie Scott to give keynote address at the 2019 Sport for Life Canadian Summit

There is no denying the lasting, positive effects sport and play can have on a person’s life. But what are the factors that encourage sport and play? What are the barriers that prevent it? These are key concepts that will be explored at the 2019 Sport for Life Canadian Summit, held in Gatineau, QC on January 22–24. Sport for Life is proud to announce Beckie Scott, a leader in community sport in Canada, as one of our keynote speakers.

This year’s Summit theme, Moving to Action, will focus on inspiring leaders to move a nation to action across sport, recreation, health and education from the community club through to international arenas. From new ideas and developments, the goal is to encourage leaders to motivate others through the power of sport. Scott embodies these concepts with her work as President and CEO of Spirit North, an organization that aims to improve the lives of Indigenous children and youth through the transformative power of sport and play.

A former Canadian national team cross-country skier and three-time Olympian, Scott broke barriers in 2002 when she became the first North American woman to win an Olympic gold in cross-country skiing. She followed that success in 2006 with a silver. Scott retired in 2006, but not before she added 17 World Cup podium finishes to her name, making her the most decorated cross-country-skier in Canadian history.

Scott’s own personal journey has given her invaluable insight into the power of sport and play, while her post-competition endeavours have provided her with a unique inside look into the structure of sport in Canada. Aside from her illustrious skiing career and work with Spirit North, Scott also serves as the Chair of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Athlete Committee, and actively advocates for clean, fair sport. She is a member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame. She also holds an honourary Doctorate of Law from the University of Alberta.

Learn more about the Summit at sportforlifesummit.ca. View the Summit program here. Early-bird registration for the Summit will be open until November 23. Register here.