Students in ÎçÒ¹av’s Sport and Leisure Management program are working toward three Aboriginal coaching modules under the supervision of a graduate of the program, Richard Lush, who will facilitate the certifications on behalf of the .
The introduction of the certifications was made possible through a grant from the college’s President’s Innovation Fund. Sport and Leisure Management instructor Cory Thomas sees them as a natural fit for the program.
“Our program is committed to ensuring that our students have a firm foundation of knowledge of Canadian Culture, multiculturalism, and ethnicity. These coaching certifications will provide our students with skills that they will be able to use not only if they are working with Indigenous athletes, but with all athletes. We were delighted to find out that one of our own graduates would lead the training,” he said.
The Aboriginal Coaching Modules include A Holistic Approach to Coaching, Dealing with Racism in Sport, and Individual and Community Wellness. The modules are an essential resource for those who coach, supervise, and work with Aboriginal youth in sport, physical activity, and recreation. The National Coaching Certification Program modules are a collaboration of the Government of Canada, the Aboriginal Sport Circle, provincial and territorial Aboriginal sport bodies, and the Coaching Association of Canada.
Lush, who graduated from the program in 2012 and was class valedictorian, is well known in the sports and cultural communities on Prince Edward Island.
"Our Sacred Teachings almost always reflect on circles, and the circles of life. It's really amazing to have my circle take a full loop and bring me back to the place that started my career path. I am very thankful to have this opportunity to teach the next generation of students at ÎçÒ¹av." ~ Richard Lush
The Aboriginal Coaching Module reference material was developed in order to improve the understanding of the application of Aboriginal culture in sport and coaching, provide a culturally relevant learning experience for Aboriginal coaches and athletes, increase the capacity of non-native coaches to coach Aboriginal athletes, improve the quality of the sport experience for Aboriginal athletes, increase the number of Aboriginal certified coaches, and to make the wisdom of Aboriginal culture available to mainstream sport.
For more information regarding the Aboriginal Sport Circle, please contact Richard Lush by phone at 1(902) 439-8184 or by email at Rlush@mcpei.ca. For more information about the Sport and Leisure Management program, or other ÎçÒ¹av programs, visit hollandcollege.com, email info@hollandcollege, or call 1-800-446-5265.
In this picture: Sport and Leisure Management alumnus Richard Lush, centre, reviews material from the Aboriginal Coaching Modules with current students Breanna Cormier and Shawn Fraser.
For more information about this release, please contact:
Sara Underwood, Media and Communications Officer
Tel: 902-566-9695
Date: Monday, February 10, 2020
