| Leadership in our Canadian youth is pervasive and | | | | 5. Greg Joy - Silver Medalist and world record for high |
| active. As a volunteer, I was witness and observer | | | | jumping 1976 Montreal Olympics. |
| to an extraordinary 4-day conference hosted by the | | | | 6. Marc Leger - 2005 Canadian delegate at the |
| University of Ottawa (May 11-14). This year's theme | | | | International Olympic Academy in Greece. |
| was "Making a Difference". The delegates to this | | | | 7. Dr. Gene Sutton, Chair OOYA and National Olympic |
| 2006 Ontario Olympic Youth Academy, were fifteen | | | | Academy, Director of the COC Board, and Canada's |
| Ontario students representing their high schools. | | | | Chef de Mission for the 2003 Pan American Games |
| These students confirmed that our youth will bring a | | | | team. |
| new order of leadership to this country, their | | | | 8. Michael Chambers - President Canadian Olympic |
| province and their communities. | | | | Committee (COC). |
| OOYA is sponsored by Sport Alliance of Ontario, | | | | These speakers had a profound impact on the |
| OFSAA, and the Canadian Olympic Committee. The | | | | delegates. The Academy ended on a high note with |
| Ontario Olympic Youth Academy is held each year | | | | an emotional closing ceremony during which each |
| and serves 2 purposes: | | | | delegate lit a candle from the 1988 Calgary Olympic |
| 1. To share the magic of The Olympic Games in a | | | | Winter Games Torch! |
| 'hands on' format by debating, discussing, discovering, | | | | However subtle, a key message was woven |
| meeting, networking, playing, laughing in an active | | | | throughout the conference presentations by the |
| & dynamic 4-day conference. | | | | Canadian Olympic athletes, Olympic coaches, and |
| 2. To meet Olympic athletes, coaches, organizers and | | | | Sports executives. And that message: to have these |
| managers and hear them speak about the impact | | | | future leaders consider sports management, sports |
| The Olympic Games has had on their lives. | | | | coaching, and sports education as career options. This |
| Working long hours, this group of engaging teenagers | | | | message was effectively introduced and appreciated |
| were involved in interactive presentations and group | | | | by the delegates. Some delegates openly shared their |
| workshops. Through the team sports of Dragon Boat | | | | renewed consideration for sports education |
| Racing and a modified Olympic Games event, the | | | | management as a career choice. |
| group showed their ability to focus as a unit and | | | | Currently, there are a number of active Provincial |
| meet goals. The delegates developed Sports and | | | | Territorial (PTOAs) Olympic Youth Academy |
| Exercise programs that can easily and immediately be | | | | Programs: |
| introduced in their respective schools and | | | | 1. Quebec Youth Olympic Academy |
| communities. Programs are like: | | | | 2. Ontario Olympic Youth Academy |
| 1. "Clean Play Starts with a Clean Place to Play", | | | | 3. Alberta Youth Olympic Symposium |
| 2. "Mini Olympic Days" to promote a healthy and | | | | 4. BC Olympic & Paralympic Youth Leadership |
| active lifestyle to Grades 5 & 6, are designed | | | | Academy |
| for both athletes and non-athletes and help shape | | | | 5. Nunavut Youth Olympic Academy |
| high school students into leaders. | | | | As a youth sport educational forum, the various |
| Appearance by guest speakers included: | | | | Olympic Youth Academies, are an excellent way to |
| 1. Sue Holloway, Honorary Chair of OOYA - Silver and | | | | introduce Canadian Youth to career and volunteer |
| Bronze Olympic Medalist for kayaking (1980-Los | | | | opportunities and rewards associated with national, |
| Angeles). Ms. Holloway is the first female to compete | | | | provincial, community sports management/coaching, |
| in both the Summer and Winter Olympics (1976 - | | | | and sports education. The Olympic Youth Academies |
| kayaking and cross-country skiing). | | | | provide an expanded opportunity to share the |
| 2. Shaunna Burke - second Canadian female to reach | | | | Canadian Olympic Dream whether as an athlete, a |
| the summit of Mount Everest (spring 2005). | | | | coach, an organizer or a volunteer. |
| 3. Pierre Lafontaine, CEO Swimming Canada - | | | | Expanding and funding the Olympic Youth Academy |
| recently, Head coach for Australian Institute of Sport, | | | | Programs to each and every Canadian Province and |
| and before that the Phoenix Swim Club of Arizona. | | | | Territory has been an ongoing initiative of the |
| Mr. Lafontaine led 4 and 8 medal swimmers to | | | | Canadian Olympic Committee (COC). Each province |
| Olympic victories in 2004 and 2000 respectively. | | | | should now embrace this youth leadership forum. It is |
| 4. Marg McGregor - Chef de Mission 2002 | | | | a perfect program to parallel the COC initiative, Own |
| Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England. | | | | the Podium 2010. |