Lethbridge Roving Gyms Helping Develop Physical Literacy
First published in the Lethbridge Herald on Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Lethbridge Sport Council believes that everyone should experience quality sport.
We value and embrace the many partnerships we have made over the last ten years in our mission to provide leadership and a collective voice for sport in Lethbridge.
Since 2008, Lethbridge Sport Council has helped local sport organizations get connected, helped parents be more informed, and celebrated sport achievements.
But before athletes can reach the podium, they must learn how to move.
As Lethbridge prepares to host athletes from across the province at next summer’s Alberta Summer Games, Lethbridge Sport Council is focusing on getting more preschool-age children moving.
Like reading, writing and math skills, physical literacy needs to be actively developed. We can not assume children will develop movement skills naturally.
Lethbridge Roving Gyms began as a pilot project in 2015 to provide indoor play spaces throughout Lethbridge during the colder months. This program continues today under the management of the Lethbridge Sport Council.
Roving Gyms are free one-hour sessions with morning, evening, and weekend times. Parents do not sit on the sidelines. They play with their children to help develop a love of movement in an environment where families can connect.
The development of physical literacy spans a lifetime. Susan Eymann, Executive Director, Lethbridge Sport Council said, “We would like all children to learn fundamental movement skills, so they have the choice to be active at any stage of their life.”
Eymann goes on to say, “They will have the confidence to join their friends to play birthday party games and activities. They will also have the capability to take part in active recreation or play sports. They may even choose to try-out for the Alberta Summer Games.”
To find out more about the Roving Gym program or other local sport information visit www.lethbridgesportcouncil.ca
Posted October 30, 2019