Clearwater County Highlights October/November | Page 10

10 | NOV. 2016 P.L.A.Y. - Physical Literacy And You PLAY West Country When we incorporate quality physical activity into our daily lives through sport or recreational activities, we are more likely to be physically, socially, emotionally and mentally healthy. Within Clearwater County there are a multitude of sport organizations and recreational programs to engage in. One of the Clearwater region’s greatest resources is the wide range of easily accessible outdoor activities. We have everything from town walking paths to hiking trails within the David Thompson Corridor; urban bike paths to exciting off-road bike or ski trails; canoeing or kayaking our many lakes to rafting and fishing the rivers; “playing” outside is truly right out our “back door”. There is an activity everyone. WEST for COUNTRY Physical Literacy andmotivation You The to participate in these activities comes from the competence and confidence to do so. This is physical literacy. Much like reading literacy, if you don’t have it, you tend to withdraw and not engage. WEST COUNTRY Without physical literacy, your physical, Physical Literacy and You emotional, social and mental health suffer. The physical literacy coalition, PLAY West Country, believes recreation, sports and active living are integral to the health and well-being of Clearwater County residents. Bringing together recreation, education, health, sport, parks, First Nations and media, PLAY WC aims to provide an avenue for these partners to work together. The purpose is to increase the awareness, training, promotion, implementation and measurement of programs and services that foster active lifestyles in Clearwater County. PLAY West Country is the 13th PLAY group of its kind across Alberta. Communities throughout the province are supporting PLAY PLAY www.clearwatercounty.ca active living strategies in order to improve the quality of life and health of their populations. The Clearwater region has the unique opportunity of fostering physical literacy through quality recreation and sport but also through outdoor activity. The physical literacy movement has a grassroots approach - engaging community stakeholders that have a vested interest in active living. It also has a “grass-tops” approach - involving national and provincial organizations and ministries. PLAY West Country, an example of the grassroots campaign, follows a “road map” outlined by Canadian Sport for Life and is supported by the many national and provincial organizations. Essentially, progress towards the health and wellness of Clearwater residents is enhanced by these collaborations and open communication. Sharing is key to having an effective approach to addressing barriers to increased physical activity. In aligning with the Alberta Government’s Active Alberta Policy, PLAY West Country’s priorities include partnerships, inclusion and access, communication and connecting people and nature. The crucial elements of enjoying “improved health and wellness, strong communities, economic benefits and personal fulfilment through recreation, active living and sport” (Active Alberta Policy 2011-2021) are fundamental to a high quality of life in Clearwater County. In the Clearwater region, experiencing high quality sport, recreation and outdoor activity can be a part of EVERY resident’s daily living. PLAY West Country knows that supporting EVERY person’s physical literacy journey, developing their confidence, competence and motivation, will benefit ALL of our communities. Let’s remember to PLAY. Submitted by: PLAY West Country For more information on physical literacy please visit www.physicalliteracy.ca or email [email protected] to learn about PLAY West Country.