Alphonso Davies is a World Cup soccer star with a story
As families tune in to the FIFA World Cup, it’s worth knowing Canadian player Alphonso Davies’ incredible journey in soccer.
8 reasons to watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will offer teachable and inspiring moments for kids and parents alike. Here’s why you should tune in.
Best physical activities for kids at every age
Kids need plenty of active play to develop gross motor skills in their early years. We put together a list of activities for kids at every age to help with their physical literacy.
1 volleyball, 6 fun games
Sometimes it’s nice to have things to do that are light on equipment. These games are super fun and require only a volleyball!
9 low-cost sports: Keep your kids moving without breaking the bank
Kids’ sports can be expensive, but there are some low-cost options out there! Check out this list of affordable sports your child can try.
Olympic soccer powerhouse Karina LeBlanc on finding her voice
Olympic soccer star Karina LeBlanc has inspired international change with her powerful and passionate advocacy for girls in sport.
Book review: “What Size Balls Do I Need?” offers advice for sports parents
Steve Morris offers advice and insights to parents as they navigate the world of youth sports.
Does putting too much pressure on young kids risk killing their love of the game?
By dialling down the pressure we put on young athletes, we can help them foster a love of sport and a desire to play simply because it’s fun.
8 Summer Olympics-themed sports games for young kids
Celebrate Paris 2024 and have some Olympic-inspired fun with your children this summer with these kid-friendly takes on Olympic sports.
Coaches get creative to stay connected with young athletes at home
During COVID-19, coaches have had to evolve fast to keep athletes engaged and active while they’re apart from their teammates.
6 active games kids can play with a pair of socks
Kids can play these simple, fun games indoors with limited space and equipment.
15 signs that your child is physically literate
One key indicator is showing confidence while attempting new activities
Is competition in sports healthy for kids?
Many parents have asked me if I think competition is healthy for kids. Is it healthy? Is it “toxic”? Does it diminish self-confidence?
Are youth sports too serious?
As parents and coaches, we must make youth sports fun for kids. Tim Hortons’ latest advertisement highlights this.
Local athlete excelling thanks to multisport background
Caleigh MacPherson, a soccer player for the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers, fell in love with the sport from a very young age. She was just four years old when she first started playing soccer, but she said the fact that she spent time spent playing other sports too is what helped her become the high-performing athlete … Continued
Film review: “The Cost of Winning” addresses problems in youth sport culture
From early specialization to costly programs to hyper-competition, this documentary tells its story through the voices of people directly involved: parents, coaches, and teachers.
Fight for your right to play
Casual sport and neighbourhood play are important. But as our urban centres grow, competition for our public spaces increases as well.
Why I decided I’d never yell when my kids play hockey
It’s important to understand how yelling in the stands might affect your child’s focus and his or her overall enjoyment of the game.
Coaching girls? Here are three ways to help them get more out of the game
“Any questions?” This well-meaning phrase, when posed to a group of young female athletes, often results in 10 or more hands shooting up, and you as a coach end up standing there fielding questions like you’ve just entered your own personal press conference. You may be thinking to yourself, “Well that’s just how kids are.” … Continued
New playground features aim to keep tweens active in parks
Playgrounds and unstructured free play have always been my go-to options for my two boys’ exercise and entertainment. But as they’ve grown in height, they’ve also been growing apart in terms of their interests, as well as their physical and social skills. Despite their five-year age difference, when they were younger both would happily play … Continued
Free soccer program gives kids a place to play
There is a lot of money in kids’ sports. In Canada alone, recent research suggests that youth sport has become an industry worth $8.7 billion per year. Unfortunately, amid this flow of dollars, and the sometimes astronomical cost for parents, many kids from lower-income homes are getting left on the sidelines. Enter Tim Adams with … Continued
Free multisport program helps more kids develop physical literacy
A new free multisport program in Nova Scotia is helping more Cape Breton Island children develop physical literacy while learning how to play various sports. Capers in the Community launched this summer and is being offered at no cost in towns throughout the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM). The four-day camp gives children ages five to … Continued
This ad campaign seeks to empower women in soccer
We don’t sell commercial ad space on Active for Life, but once in a while, we recognize advertising campaigns that promote important messages. This is the case with the Visa ad campaign developed for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which started earlier this month. The campaign video shows a series of female soccer players … Continued
Nike’s FIFA Women’s World Cup ad encourages girls to dream big
Don’t change your dream. Change the world. That’s the messaging behind Nike’s newest ad, highlighting girls and the game of soccer. In the three-minute video, a young female player realizes her potential by running alongside the game’s biggest names. From shooting a video game cover with Brazil’s Andressa Alves to coaching alongside former English … Continued