Are you ready to make a difference through sport for newcomers to Canada, especially newcomer girls? Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your skills for a career in the Canadian sport sector? Commonwealth Sport Canada is searching for an aspiring sport leader to join the SportWORKS Sport for Newcomers Initiative in partnership with YMCA Hamilton Burlington Brantford. Apply today for this exciting opportunity! 

 

 

 

Background: 

 

A key part of CSC’s Mission is to “enhance the lives of youth across the Commonwealth”.  Commonwealth Sport Canada’s (CSC) SportWORKS Program has a 25-year history of enhancing the lives of Commonwealth youth, 2 million and counting.  Using the success of the SportWORKS program model, CSC is creating an initiative focused on Commonwealth youth in Canada. The Sport for Newcomers Initiative is designed to build and enhance the capacity of Newcomer Service Support Organizations (NSSOs) in Canada leading to increased sport frequency rates and retention of Newcomer Youth. 

 

The Initiative aims to build NSSO organizational capacity through internship placements of SportWORKS Officers, who assist with the transfer of knowledge and capacity building at NSSOs for staff and volunteers, by developing resources/materials, building partnerships with local sport organizations, seeking local program funding opportunities and by assisting with the accumulation of data for baseline results of pilot monitoring and evaluation for future programming and longitudinal indicators. 

 

Key Tasks / Projects: 

 

The SportWORKS Officer makes an 8-month, full-time commitment, assisting a host NSSO in building capacity through training, advice, guidance, mentorship, coaching and support within the areas of need identified by stakeholders.

 

The key tasks and projects may be focused on the areas of need listed below. Please note that key tasks and projects are listed as a guide only and are contingent upon the unique needs of each host NSSO.  

 

Partnership Development:

Communication:

Programming:

Monitoring and Evaluation:

 

Placement Location: YMCA Hamilton Burlington Brantford (Hamilton, ON)

 

Eligibility Requirements: 

 

• Post secondary education or a senior university student in the field of Sport Management, Sport Administration, Health, Physical Education, Kinesiology, Human Kinetics, Recreation or related experience 

• Passion for sport and sport for development  

• Flexibility, creativity, compassion, understanding and patience  

• Cultural sensitivity 

• Canadian citizen or landed immigrant 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive)

• Full-time commitment for 8 months 

 

Desired Skills / Experience:

 

• Strong attention to detail 

• Quality program and curriculum development skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to interact with a wide variety of stakeholders 

• Excellent administrative and report writing skills 

• Ability to motivate others and to impart knowledge through 1-on-1 sessions or through group training sessions 

• Ability to work unsupervised and remain self-motivated 

• Working with diverse populations including age, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic status 

• Knowledge or understanding of working with Newcomers, especially girls, and their barriers 

 

SportWORKS Officers must provide an Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC) or Vulnerable Sector Check and complete online training, including Respect in the Workplace, Respect in Sport and other provided training modules prior to beginning placements. 

 

To apply, please submit the following: 

 

1. Cover Letter: As part of your cover letter, please address the following: 

a. Why you decided to apply for the opportunity

b. Your involvement in sport (as athlete, coach, official, volunteer, administrator, etc.) 

c. Other experience (work, study, travel, etc.) 

 

2. Current Resume: Must include three (3) references including both phone and email contact information. 

 

 

Please submit applications to: 

 

Ryan Pelley

SportWORKS Program Manager

Commonwealth Sport Canada

Subject line: “YOUR NAME - SportWORKS Officer Placement”

 

1. Are these placements paid positions?
SportWORKS Officer placements are volunteer internships, however, CSC will cover some costs by
providing a modest monthly living allowance of $1500. In addition to a living allowance, CSC will cover
the costs associated with training in Ottawa and travel-related expenses. Please note that any additional
expenses (i.e. Student debt payments, personal travel, entertainment) are the responsibility of the
SportWORKS Officer.

2. What time commitment is asked of me?
This placement is set to begin on November 1st, 2021, with a placement completion date
scheduled for June 30th, 2022. Please note that all dates and timelines are tentative based on health
authority information. Applicants must be able to commit to the full 8-month placement. Placement
duration is not flexible and only those who can fully commit should apply. 

3. Can I choose which location I am placed in?
If more than one placement location is offered, you can identify which of the available placement opportunities you are interested in applying for.
Ultimately, however, successful candidates will be placed based on their skills/experience match with
each host NSSO’s needs. Please note that applicants who apply for both locations will be viewed
favourably.

4. What are you looking for in applicants?
Successful applicants in the past have had:
• a passion for sport at all levels and an interest in applying their passion and knowledge in an
intercultural context;
• a diverse sport background, including experience as an athlete, coach, official, administrator,
etc.;
• a flexible, easygoing, attitude with a willingness to work hard for 8 months to make the most of
this unique opportunity.

5. Where does the Sport for Newcomers Initiative fit within Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC)?
The Sport for Newcomers Initiative is part of CSC’s SportWORKS Program, which sends Canadian sport
leaders to host organizations in Canada and throughout the Commonwealth to deliver sustainable sport
programs and build sport system capacity. SportWORKS prides itself on “Making a Difference and
Becoming Different.” The Sport for Newcomers Initiative aims to not only assist NSSOs and Newcomers
to Canada, but also to make a difference in the lives and careers of SportWORKS officers.

 

For more information, please visit www.commonwealthsport.ca.

 

Watch the pilot recap of Sport for Newcomers here.