VIU nursing students are setting out to make sure all kids have the chance to play sports
Shorter (blue jacket) said that throughout their schooling, they have researched the importance of sports and recreation on youth mental health and the benefits (Lauryn Mackenzie/CHLY 101.7FM)
Vancouver Island University nursing students are making sure kids, no matter their background, can still take part in sports.
A group of fourth-year nursing students are working to bridge the gap by increasing access to recreation and sports for youths in the community with a new project called Play it Forward. As part of the project, the group of six students have been taking in donations of new and used sports equipment and gear.
Hannah van Spaendonk and Kylie Shorter are two of the nursing students behind the project. CHLY spoke to them at one of their drop-off events.
Van Spaendonk said this campaign came from a community and leadership class, where their cohort has been going to local elementary schools for weekly sessions, highlighting the importance of being active for children in grades five and six.
“Right now, with grades five and six, which is kind of like a pivotal point in their lives as they're growing up, they're still really interested in trying new things and just getting out there and making friends,” van Spaendonk said. “So this is like the time that we're going in and introducing new activities to help them form healthy habits and just to get involved in recreation and sports.”
The nursing cohort also took students out into the community to try new sports and physical activities, such as rock climbing. Van Spaendonk said that some students would express how much they enjoyed the activities, but would also express how they face barriers in being able to access those activities outside of school due to a lack of funds or equipment needed to participate.
“Often, if they don't have the equipment to play soccer, you need, like, a soccer ball that can be a barrier to them joining those sports,” van Spaendonk said. “So then I think that's our big idea of this play it forward event is that we're trying to cater to that community, to that population that might not have access otherwise.”
Shorter said that throughout their schooling, they have researched the importance of sports and recreation on youth mental health and the benefits it can have going into adulthood if habits are built in the early years.
The group was inspired by similar initiatives on the mainland that donate used sports gear to those in need of it. Over the past few weeks, they have been taking in used sports gear and equipment, including soccer balls and hockey gear.
The nursing cohort’s efforts with Play it Forward will wrap with an event to distribute what was donated on November 27. From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at VIU’s Windsor Plywood Trades Discovery Centre, families are invited to come and look through all the donated gear. Those who pick up an item are encouraged to make a small donation if they can, which will then be given by the nursing cohort to the youth sports initiative KidSports Canada.
Shorter said they hope to see the Initiative continue to support more families in Nanaimo.
“So we're kind of really trying to see if we can start it this year with our project, but hopefully it'll keep going even when we're finished with our nursing program,” Shorter said.
The nursing students are still taking in donations. While no more drop-off events are scheduled, those who wish to donate equipment can reach out to Play it Forward Nanaimo on Facebook or Instagram to schedule a time for pick-up.
Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.