Articles from:April 2022

  • Brock prof launches digital book on safe sport movement in Canada

    Tuesday, April 19, 2022 | By

    MEDIA RELEASE: 19 April 2022 – R0043

    A new book by a Brock University Sport Management professor aims to continue the important discussion around safe sport.

    Launched Tuesday, April 5, Safe Sport: Critical Issues and Practices is an open-access, edited digital book providing timely and relevant content on the past, present and future of the safe sport movement in Canada, and critical insight for researchers, sport leaders and policy-makers.

    The book is edited by Julie Stevens, Associate Professor in the Department of Sport Management and Director of the Centre for Sport Capacity (CSC) at Brock University. The Safe Sport book follows the Athletes First: The Promotion of Safe Sport in Canada forum hosted by the CSC in April 2021.

    Stevens says the forum’s athlete-centred focus remains an important priority in the new resource.

    “I believe we have finally reached the tipping point where stakeholders are ready to address the long-term negative ramifications of the failure to ensure safe sport for athletes at all levels of the Canadian sport system,” says Stevens. “With an athlete-centred approach, Safe Sport: Critical Issues and Practices provides evidence-based insight and practical case studies to inform discussion and action moving forward.”

    As editor, Stevens brought together a diverse group of academic and sector experts to examine the possibilities and limitations of the safe sport movement. Content addresses a range of key issues including athlete advocacy; the role of coaches and officials; governance, policy and human rights; legal considerations; organization cases; and systems and culture change.

    The free digital book features 18 chapters from 21 contributors, including researchers from Brock University, the University of Toronto and Ontario Tech University, as well as sport leaders from a number of organizations including AthletesCAN, the Coaching Association of Canada, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport and Gymnastics Canada.

    The intended audience for Safe Sport: Critical Issues and Practices is far-reaching, Stevens says.

    The content’s thought leadership and latest evidence is presented through short chapters in plain language, complemented by practical case studies and textbook-style learning features.

    “This ensures the content can be applied by sport leaders, policy-makers and researchers to enhance sport in Canada,” she says. “The book is also great for students. These future leaders must understand the multiple dimensions of creating and maintaining a safe sport system for lasting change.”

    An abridged version of the digital book has also been produced in French. Sport sécuritaire: enjeux et pratiques critiques includes seven chapters from 11 contributors.

    Safe Sport: Critical Issues and Practices was made possible with funding by the Government of Ontario and through eCampusOntario’s support of the Virtual Learning Strategy.

    For more information and to download a digital copy, visit the CSC Safe Sport web page.

    Julie Stevens, Associate Professor in the Department of Sport Management and Director of the Centre for Sport Capacity at Brock University is available for media interviews.

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

    * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University [email protected] or 905-347-1970

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    Categories: Media releases

  • Seeds on loan to community at Brock Library

    Monday, April 18, 2022 | By

    MEDIA RELEASE: 18 April 2022 – R0042

    The list of items you can borrow from the Brock University Library is growing.

    On Tuesday, April 19, the James A. Gibson Library will open the Brock University Seed Library to the community.

    The initiative, which allows people to “borrow” seeds for planting, was the brainchild of Brock Master of Sustainability candidates Alexandra Cotrufo and Madison Lepp.

    When the pair learned about WWF-Canada’s Go Wild School Grants, they decided to apply in hopes of bringing their vision for a community seed library to life.

    The WWF-Canada Go Wild School Grant program funds projects that are focused on protecting or restoring nature in schools and on campuses. While most recipients receive grant amounts of $1,000, Cotrufo and Lepp were fortunate to receive $2,500 to plan, build and execute their project.

    A one-year trial collaboration between the Brock University Project Charter and the Brock University Library, the seed library will offer free seeds to community members to “borrow” and plant during the spring and summer seasons.

    The program functions like a library as participants are asked to later return a new batch of seeds from their gardens.

    “The Brock Library is excited about this partnership. It’s a natural fit with the borrowing services we already support,” said Andrew Colgoni, Associate University Librarian, Student Success.

    “Seed libraries have been growing in popularity, particularly among public libraries, including many in the Niagara region. We’re pleased to be able to make it easy for the campus community to access a rich catalogue of seeds through our ‘Ask Us’ desk in James A. Gibson Library.”

    Seed libraries are an effective mechanism for collecting and distributing a variety of rare, endangered, native and/or culturally important seeds. They aim to protect genetic diversity in our food system and promote public access to seeds.

    “Seed libraries help create a culture of sharing and abundance within a community while preserving seed lineages, stewarding a region’s biodiversity and supporting those who are new to gardening,” said Amanda Smits, Centre Administrator in Brock’s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre. “We could not be more proud of both Alexandra and Madison for spearheading this exciting new initiative.”

    Significant threats to pollinator populations and the ecosystems that depend on these pollinators have been noted around the world. Seed libraries contribute to increasing native and endangered plant species while supporting pollinator populations.

    This initiative will aid Brock and the greater community to grow local plants in the hopes of conserving healthy ecosystems, encouraging growth and fostering community engagement.

    All visitors are reminded that as part of Brock’s COVID-19 vaccine policy, a vaccine mandate is in effect for all individuals involved in any in-person activities on campus. In addition to showing proof of vaccination, visitors will be required to complete the Brock Safety screening tool and show confirmation at the screening desk.

    To learn more about the seed library and how to participate, please visit brocku.ca/sustainability/seed-library

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

    * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University [email protected] or 905-347-1970

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    Categories: Media releases

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