Empowering new beginnings: A holistic evaluation of a community-developed multi-sports program for new-to-Canada refugee youths and its impact on physical literacy, mental wellbeing and social health
Abstract
Notes
Community organizations: Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS)
Future research / gaps identified:
Evaluate long-term effects of the program.
Integration timeline: mean of 1.19 months since arrival in Canada
Key findings:
1) Positive changes, particularly for those who participated frequently, included improved fundamental movement skills, boosted confidence, and influenced their motivation to participate in sports and PA.
2) More importantly, the program fostered social connections and a sense of belonging, contributing positively to their mental wellbeing.
3) Participants also benefitted from access to well-equipped facilities, structured programs with qualified coaches, and valuable resources within the community.
4) Logistical difficulties like competing schedules and lack of awareness about the program, along with unmet gender specific needs, hindered consistent participation.
Location: Calgary, AB
Open access: Yes
Key population: refugee youth in a sport program in Calgary
Key recommendations:
Develop private, female-specific programming to decrease the gender disparity between boys and girls participating in programs like this.