Newcomer Sport Program in Victoria

Linking into community sport and accessing the resources available is often complex, yet sport can play a vital role in newcomers’ sense of belonging. The Newcomer Sport Program in Victoria, BC has helped get newcomer (refugee and immigrant) children and youth into existing quality sport and physical activity programs as soon as basic needs such as housing and health are addressed. The goal has been to help connect them to their new community, develop physical literacy, and have positive and successful sport experiences resulting in lifelong participation. In collaboration with the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria and a local Sport Coordinator, and with financial support from the Victoria Foundation and KidSport Greater Victoria, this program has helped newcomer children and youth find the right fit for sport in their community, access registration and equipment funding, and receive ongoing culturally tailored support throughout the program. It has also provided local sport and recreation leaders with cultural sensitivity training to assist them in welcoming newcomers in their programs. 

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