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By Bob FergusonUrgency, anticipation and enthusiasm all are labels which could be affixed the atmosphere engulfing the sports in Canada today.Never was it more evident than during the recent Canadian Amateur Sports Federation (that’s the umbrella organization which includes in its ranks representatives from almost every sports governing body in this nation) meeting in Ottawa.Delegates from all sectors of the country recognized the urgent need for action — it’s time to cut the conversation and get on with the job.” The air of anticipation of seeing that job — a positive approach to the continued growth of sports and recreation in Canada — done and the enthusiasm with which all accepted their role in this growing culture permeated themeeting place.Amateur eliminatedA new constitution which abandoned the obsolete and impractical (except in the eyes of Avery Brundage and others of his ilk) term amateur” from its title, was adopted subject to approval by the minister of consumer and corporate affairs.“It’s not the amateur philosophy we object to,” explained DonJesse, executive director of the now Sports Federation of Canada, “but so many of our members who have no Olympic involvement, found the word offensive to their concepts that we decided to drop it. We’re simply coming into line with most of the world on that subject.”Opening the doorThe new constitution also opened the door for a wider membership, including now sports and recreation organizations, government, private business and, in fact, virtually anyone interested in and involved in sports and recreation in Canada.We’d been accused of dragging our feet,” Jesse explained. If SFC has a role to play we must do it now and that means leadership.”Proof of intent can be found in introduction of a national sports insurance plan which would bring insurance for all athletes within the reach of all sports, big and small, at nominal cost.Accepted too as projects were a records management plan and an encyclopedia of sports with which I have the pleasure of being involved.A sports lottery, based on the successful Manitoba Sportoto program, to be conducted on a national basis once legal ramifications are studied and necessary steps taken, was also unanimously approved.“Sports and recreation in Canada can’t always remain in the shadow of the federal government waiting like expectantfathers for word of a new arrival of funds. The sooner outside financing for many projects can be obtained the better for all concerned since we all pay taxes,” Jesse observed.New blood added to the national executive bodes well for the continued growth of the SFC. For the first time Fitness and Amateur Sport of Sport Canada ( call it what you will) is part of the scene ( a direct part with Lou Lefaive on the board). Other i board members include Frank Bain and Robert Spray, both of' Vancouver; Clint Ward, Richard Gaul and Fred Oberlander, allof Montreal, Dorothy Forsyth and Bill McEwen of Ottawa — the latter soon to shift sites to Vancouver and Gavin Young of Thunder Bay. Others from different parts of the country and other walks of sport and recreational life will be added and head various committees.“For years we suffered under the stigma attached to amateur sports,” Jesse related. “The feeling was that because a sport persued the amateur philosophy its administration was , amateurish. The emphasis today is on a professional, business-f like approach to sport administration — the Administrative} Centre for Sports and Recreation is a prime example — and, oni the basis for our recent mandate from our members, I knowi SFC can play a leading role.The only question left appears to be, how high can we fly?
Newspaper Details
Dauphin Herald
Dauphin, Manitoba, CA
Wed, Feb 02, 1972
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Jason P.
USA 03 Dec 2018
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