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Brock Professor researches play opportunities in St. Catharines

September 27, 2006

Associate Professor Philip Sullivan from the Centre for Healthy Development through Sport and Physical Activity at Brock University is currently leading a research project that will summarize the quantity of play services and programs available for youth, aged 13 to 19, in three Ontario cities, including St. Catharines.

Sullivan's research, which is being conducted in collaboration with researchers from Laurentian University, is funded by the Play Works (www.playworkspartnership.ca) initiative of the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Laidlaw Foundation.

This fall, Sullivan will submit a written report summarizing the quantity of recreational services available to adolescents in Sudbury, St. Catharines and Kingsville.

Moreover, a benefit to each specific community, and its parents and youth, will be the production of a comprehensive and exhaustive list of play opportunities for teenagers, ranging from sports and youth activism to music and drama.

In order to achieve these research objectives, and because play activities exist in various forms of differing accessibility, Sullivan is soliciting information from community groups and individuals who wish to be included in the list of St. Catharines play activities. All forms of service providers, be they private, public, not for profit (and/or charitable) or self-generating from the youth themselves, will be considered.

Definition of Play Opportunity - Play Works defines play as any non-school activity that has elements of choice, leads to satisfaction, and encourages progressive learning and enjoyment. They further differentiate the following categories: recreation, sport, leisure, arts, drama, dance, music, civic engagement, youth activism, social clubs, and youth leadership.

The above play types can include (a) programs that are ongoing in nature and generally have been run in the past and will be run in the future, (b) projects that are short term in nature, where the timing may be determined by funding available or by the time it takes to complete the specific event, or (c) activities/events that are singular in nature, although the preparations for it may take a longer period of time.

If you offer such services or know of providers who do, please contact Philip Sullivan, Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Education and Kinesiology, at 905-688-5550, ext. 4787; e- mail: phil.sullivan@brocku.ca

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