The 2019 OFSAA CONFERENCE took place on May 9 & 10, 2019 at Durham College/University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa. Teacher-coaches, athletic directors and physical education teachers from across the province found professional development learning opportunities across the classroom, gymnasium and lecture theatre.
The conference incorporated the following areas of focus: coaching skills and drills, ankle taping, setting the culture in the locker room, JOGA, Pickleball, DBL Ball, Ultimate, KIN-Ball, Run Jump Throw Wheel, building smart muscles and CIAAA and CIOS courses.
The attendees enjoyed taking part in the inspirational keynote address by Krista Van Slingerland, founder of the Canadian Centre For Mental Health and Sport. Her presentation focused on “Mental Health And The Student-Athlete: What Is A Coach’s Role?”. Her inter-action with the conference delegates in the audience led to meaningful discussion on a topic that is extremely prevalent in today’s society, inside and outside of sport.
The afternoon on day one of the OFSAA Conference was capped off by a discussion and Q & A with the Athlete Panel. Canadian Olympian Brittany Crew (Shot Put) and past two-time Canadian Olympian Anson Henry (Sprinter) were extremely forthcoming over the 90-minute session. Both talked openly about their personal success and adversity on the path towards athletic glory on the global stage and they also reminisced about their OFSAA experiences and influences in high school. Anson and Brittany were both gracious with their time for photographs and casual conversation with attendees and OFSAA staff.
It was a busy, productive and engaging couple of days and we couldn’t have done it without the tremendous contributions of our presenters and speakers. Thank you to Mike Kennelly, Richard Lachance, Marc-André Laliberté, James Levesque, Maria Mountain, Cathy Johnson, Jim Hinkson, Jim Catton, Renee Rees, Alison Chasczewski, Rob Pacas, Michele Van Bargen, Derek Morgan, Jeff Morgan, and the CIAAA.
Thank you to Marchants for providing Champion T-shirts to all of our attendees and staff.
OFSAA would also like to extend a special thank you to the vendors of the sports organizations and retail suppliers that supported and comprised our Tradeshow on day two. They are as follows: Marchants, OES Scoreboards, The Scoreboard Man, Lionheart, KIN-Ball Canada, Grace College, InnVest Hotels, Pegasus School Images, Gymnasium and Health Equipment Ltd., Promo-Shan Corp and the Residence & Conference Centre of Durham College.
We would like to thank our hard-working organizing committee consisting of Michele Van Bargen, Cathy Johnson, Simon Crew and OFSAA staff members Denise Perrier, Beth Hubbard, Doug Gellatly, Shamus Bourdon, Pat Park and Mathieu Richer-Vane.
