Play like a pro!

Check out these tips to improve your game, sent to us from Toronto Raptors Basketball Development, just for YouthConnect.ca!

Karen Kain

Throughout my dancing career, I always posted a wonderful quote of Muhammad Ali's in my locker in the studio or on my mirror in my dressing room. It seemed so appropriate for the hours of work it took to get on the stage, but now that I work in an office and run The National Ballet of Canada I find it equally inspiring and I have it on my desk.

I am delighted to share it with you: 'The fight is won... far away from witnesses... behind the scenes, in the gym and out there on the road. Long before I dance under those lights.' Muhammad Ali”

– Karen Kain, Artistic Director, National Ballet of Canada and legendary Canadian ballet dancer

Photo by Christopher Wahl

Our names: Gillian Carmichael and Alana MacLeod, 18-year-olds, from Brockville

Our story: “At the end of rugby season last year, we got into wakeboarding to keep fit. We talked to our friends and someone said, “The river is just for rich kids.” That gave us the idea to start a club so that all kids could wakeboard there.

We started by doing all the paperwork for registration, liability, insurance and let everyone know about the club through news releases and word of mouth. Gillian’s dad drove the boat for us. We planned to wakeboard thrice a week but too many kids showed up on the first day! So we ended up running the program five times a week. Last summer, 82 people between the ages of 5 and 25 were part of the club.

The club is a great way to stay active and also to keep kids out of trouble. Everyone in Brockville has supported us. We want to give kids from Brockville the opportunity to become professional wake boarders. So, we organized a clinic with a pro-wake boarder who shared his tips and also had a “wake-fest” competition to create awareness about the sport. Our management team of eight people is working on fund-raising right now.”

Learning experience: “We never realized how much planning goes into an event. We had a huge relay from Cornwall to Kingston along the St. Lawrence River which raised $3,000 but there was so much to organize. We also held an auction to raise money. The most important thing we learnt is to find reliable people who really help out.”

Get inspired: “People underestimate the power of youth. We were just sitting around and came up with the idea for a club. You can do anything you want. All you have to do is set your mind to it, focus on your goal and work towards it.”

At present, Gillian and Alana are considering post-secondary education next term but are busy planning events for their club. You can check out the Wakeboarding Club of Brockville for more details or their Facebook page.

Dean from Toronto talks about his summer job working for a basketball camp. Hi, my name is Dean. I’m 15 years old and I’m working for the East Toronto Basketball Camp in Scarborough...

 

Are you bored?

Boredom is sweeping the nation. Don't let it sweep you. If you're suffering from boredom, we have the remedy. It's called participation.

Work on your slam dunk, volunteer, read a book, go to the museum, join a youth group, get social... there are tons of fun things to do. If you have this affliction, it's time to do something about it.

Check out these sites, before it's too late!

• How can I get active?

• How can I volunteer?

• What is there to do in my free time?

• Do community centres offer recreation programs?

• Are there any Aboriginal recreation programs?

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• How can I get active?
  
  
  Pause to Play

• Put down the remote and get active.

   

• ACTIVE 2010

  ACTIVE2010 is a new comprehensive strategy to increase participation in sport and physical activity throughout Ontario.

  notgonnakillyou.ca
  notgonnakillyou.ca is all about getting active, eating right, and getting and staying healthy.

  Communities in Action Fund

  CIAF provides funding to local initiatives aimed at increasing physical activity among Ontarians who experience social, cultural and economic barriers to participation.

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• How can I volunteer?

• Volunteer Programs

  Government of Ontario supports a number of initiatives to promote volunteer action across the province.

   






United Way

Program and volunteer information to improve lives in communities across Canada.







CultureLink
A settlement agency for new Canadians, CultureLink is a not-for-profit community-based organization that facilitates the settlement of newcomers to Toronto. Has volunteer opportunities, training and job search information.

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• What is there to do in my free time?

• Ontario Parks

  Guide to Ontario Parks.

  Museums

  Links to community museums.

  Fun Places to Visit

  Fun vacation places to visit in Ontario.

  Libraries

  Everything you want to know about libraries in Ontario.

  
  Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Canada

  Big Brothers and Big Sisters programs are available to young people in over 700 Canadian communities. The site has information on becoming and finding a big brother or sister.
  
  
  

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• Do community centres offer recreation programs?

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  Boys and Girls Clubs of Ontario

  The Boys and Girls Clubs of Ontario is a strategic partnership of strong community clubs committed to developing the potential of Ontario's children and youth.

  YMCA

  Site for youths to join a YMCA in their area. Subsidized memberships are available.

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• Are there any Aboriginal recreation programs?

• Aboriginal Canada Portal

  Provides aboriginal youth with information on education, employment, recreation, culture, health and social services and Aboriginal youth councils, organizations and associations.