The Power of Athletics: It's for everyone, even those who dislike sports
Completion requirements
The Power of Athletics*: It's for everyone, even those who dislike sports.
When the general public thinks of athletics, they picture trophies, wins, losses and how to earn the 'reward' at the end of a season. The viewpoint that you win or you lose, that you make or miss the shot, that you can or that you can't, drives
the mentality of competitive athletics.
Understanding that athletics provides more opportunity than a ribbon or trophy is an aspect that our society needs to turn our focus towards.
Active living is for everyone. Too often the labels of athlete or non athlete are placed upon people for their ability to succeed in 'sports' like basketball, volleyball or hockey. There is more to athletics than being good at putting a ball over or in a net. Everyone can live an active life.
Often this narrow focus will drive youth away from sport or activities or make those activities less fun.
Understanding that athletics provides more opportunity than a ribbon or trophy is an aspect that our society needs to turn our focus towards.
Active living is for everyone. Too often the labels of athlete or non athlete are placed upon people for their ability to succeed in 'sports' like basketball, volleyball or hockey. There is more to athletics than being good at putting a ball over or in a net. Everyone can live an active life.
Active living contains an amazing amount of power, not only in our own personal lives (physical wellness), but in our society. Athletics/Active Living plays a role in economic, political, and social parts of our society.
*For the purposes of simplicity, please know the term Athletics
is being used to describe both those people who participate in sport and those who participate in athletic activities, sometimes defined outside the word 'sport' like dance, gymnastics, swimming or fitness (yoga, spin, crossfit). This same concept
is also encompassed by the term
Active Living.
Assignment
Below you will find a series of media pieces, from varying sources, which illustrate the 'Power of Athletics'. You do not need to watch all the videos or read all the media pieces. Find a topic that interests you and watch one or more of the videos. In your reflection, you will need to respond/reference at least one of the videos. If through your own research, you find a media piece that you would like to write about, contact your teacher for approval. To use your own media piece, you must be able to provide a link to it to your teacher.
You will be required to write a written response (essay) to the media piece you select. In your response you will need to include:
- the title of the video/media piece(s) you are making reference to. (if you are using a resource not on this page, you will need to include a link to your source or a copy of your source with your essay)
- a personal response/reflection to at least one of the guiding questions and how it relates to the media piece you selected. The personal response MUST include examples from your own experience.
- Minimum of 3 well developed body paragraphs, introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph
Guiding Questions
The guiding questions are provide to give you ideas if you are having troubles of thinking of what to write about.How does media effect your sense of self as an active person or body image?
How do you relate to the media piece?
What are bigger life lessons that can be learned?
*Option: Create your own guiding question. If you chose to create your own guiding question, contact your teacher to approve your question/topic.
Grading
You will be marked using the following rubric. Compare your writing to the rubric prior to submitting your assignment.
Overcoming obstacles:
Unbroken: The Snowboard Life of Mark McMorris
Mark McMorris was on top of the snowboarding world when he suffered a crash at an event in 2016 that left many wondering if his career was over. Overcoming his initial injury was just the beginning of his journey back to the Olympics.
McMorris was able to win a Bronze medal at the 2018 Olympics, less than a year after being in ICU.
Mark McMorris was on top of the snowboarding world when he suffered a crash at an event in 2016 that left many wondering if his career was over. Overcoming his initial injury was just the beginning of his journey back to the Olympics.
McMorris was able to win a Bronze medal at the 2018 Olympics, less than a year after being in ICU.
Invictus Games: Unconquered - Injured military use sports to rehabilitate
W5’s documentary on the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 featuring Canadian military members who have overcome injuries to compete in the games.
W5’s documentary on the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 featuring Canadian military members who have overcome injuries to compete in the games.
One Heavy Medal
National team
goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe was the zenith of her after helping Canada to
a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics. Then the trap door of depression
flew open, swallowing her whole. After some ups and downs - and yoga,
persistence and a slid support group - she has walked back into the
light with a smile on her lips.
Kyle Maynard: climbing mountains:
When Kyle Maynard was 14 years old, he put his own socks on for the first time -- not an easy thing to do for a young man with virtually no arms and no legs. The first sock took him 30 minutes. The second one took him 15 minutes. Facing challenges and succeeding has been the hallmark of the life of Kyle Maynard, who made a name for himself into a high school wrestling champ and now as an adult, looks to inspire others with what he can do.
When Kyle Maynard was 14 years old, he put his own socks on for the first time -- not an easy thing to do for a young man with virtually no arms and no legs. The first sock took him 30 minutes. The second one took him 15 minutes. Facing challenges and succeeding has been the hallmark of the life of Kyle Maynard, who made a name for himself into a high school wrestling champ and now as an adult, looks to inspire others with what he can do.
Love is Stronger: Aftermath of Charleston shooting
The night after his mother and eight others were killed in a Charleston, South Carolina, church, Chris Singleton, 19, delivered a powerful message to the nation: "Love is stronger than hate."
The night after his mother and eight others were killed in a Charleston, South Carolina, church, Chris Singleton, 19, delivered a powerful message to the nation: "Love is stronger than hate."
Butterfly Child
14-year-old Jonathan Pitre is an avid hockey fan who suffers from Epidermolysis Bullosa, one of the most painful conditions known to modern medicine. But his courage and determination to live is unlike anything in sports.
14-year-old Jonathan Pitre is an avid hockey fan who suffers from Epidermolysis Bullosa, one of the most painful conditions known to modern medicine. But his courage and determination to live is unlike anything in sports.
Moving Forward
USA Hockey player Hilary Knight tells the heartbreaking story of Boston Pride forward Denna Laing, who was paralyzed at the 2016 Winter Classic and is now on the road to recovery.
USA Hockey player Hilary Knight tells the heartbreaking story of Boston Pride forward Denna Laing, who was paralyzed at the 2016 Winter Classic and is now on the road to recovery.
As Long As I Breathe
Rosie MacLennan is a two-time Olympic champion. She is also battling anxiety. But through the years, Rosie learned healing actions, catered to her wellness and performance. In collaboration with Team Canada, here is the TSN Original-
"As Long as I breathe".
Sport is Diverse
A Kid from Nowhere
Last season there were only six players in the NHL of Aboriginal descent and Brady Keeper was one of them. He's from Cross Lake, Manitoba, a remote Cree community still recovering from a youth suicide crisis just three short years ago. He beat the odds is providing hope to the kids in his community.
Last season there were only six players in the NHL of Aboriginal descent and Brady Keeper was one of them. He's from Cross Lake, Manitoba, a remote Cree community still recovering from a youth suicide crisis just three short years ago. He beat the odds is providing hope to the kids in his community.
Matt Dawkins' incredible journey
E:60 shares the remarkable journey of a transgender high-school track star.
E:60 shares the remarkable journey of a transgender high-school track star.
The Doctor Is In
Haley Wickenheiser is a renaissance woman: Olympic and world champion, Maple Leafs assistant director of player personnel, and medical student. After leading the national team for more than two decades, se is on her way to becoming an emergency room doctor.
Haley Wickenheiser is a renaissance woman: Olympic and world champion, Maple Leafs assistant director of player personnel, and medical student. After leading the national team for more than two decades, se is on her way to becoming an emergency room doctor.
Deaf School football: Silent Night Lights
In this excerpt E:60 tells the remarkable story of a deaf high-school football team in Northern California that doesn't just overcome, they overpower.
In this excerpt E:60 tells the remarkable story of a deaf high-school football team in Northern California that doesn't just overcome, they overpower.
Radical Play: 2 Part series.
Part 1: German Boxing club owner believes his sport can help Middle Eastern refugees resist the lure of radical extremist groups.
Part 2: Soccer: Diverse City FC is helping young women dispel stereotypes about Muslims and gain the confidence to voice their opposition to radical extremism.
Part 1: German Boxing club owner believes his sport can help Middle Eastern refugees resist the lure of radical extremist groups.
Part 2: Soccer: Diverse City FC is helping young women dispel stereotypes about Muslims and gain the confidence to voice their opposition to radical extremism.
Devon Berry a Football player
Devon Berry was born with cerebral palsy, yet on Friday nights, Devon leaves his walker on the sideline, crawls onto the football field and plays the game he loves.
Devon Berry was born with cerebral palsy, yet on Friday nights, Devon leaves his walker on the sideline, crawls onto the football field and plays the game he loves.
When I Play
espnW's women-created and produced short film gives voice to every woman and girl who sees their movement as a movement.
espnW's women-created and produced short film gives voice to every woman and girl who sees their movement as a movement.
Lifted
Not expected to live past the age of 2, Special Olympics world champion powerlifter Chevi Peters has found his true strength. Tom Rinaldi examines Peters' journey to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games.
Not expected to live past the age of 2, Special Olympics world champion powerlifter Chevi Peters has found his true strength. Tom Rinaldi examines Peters' journey to the 2015 Special Olympics World Games.
The Legacy of 261
Fifty years ago, Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon. Her bib number, 261, is now a source of inspiration for women around the world.
Fifty years ago, Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon. Her bib number, 261, is now a source of inspiration for women around the world.
Ernestine Shepard: 77 year old bodybuilder
Do healthy, ripped bodies only belong to the young? Not if you're Ernestine Shepherd. At 77, she's the world's oldest female bodybuilder and in our original documentary short, we follow a day in her life.
Do healthy, ripped bodies only belong to the young? Not if you're Ernestine Shepherd. At 77, she's the world's oldest female bodybuilder and in our original documentary short, we follow a day in her life.
Olga Kotelko: 93 year old Track and Field Athlete
Olga began her Track and Field career at the age of 70. Olga is living proof that it is never too late to begin a new activity.
Olga began her Track and Field career at the age of 70. Olga is living proof that it is never too late to begin a new activity.
Reborn: Basketball & Reconciliation in Rwanda
A generation ago, Rwanda was torn apart by a genocide. Today, the country is thriving and Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri is helping Rwanda build up its basketball program.
A generation ago, Rwanda was torn apart by a genocide. Today, the country is thriving and Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri is helping Rwanda build up its basketball program.
Girls and Sport: A girl's index impact report
*note: once at the website, click on the Girls &Sports image to download report.
The report outlines findings a study of over 10 thousand junior/senior high students in the US, and examined the relationship between participation in sport and personal, social academic and relationship outcomes.
*note: once at the website, click on the Girls &Sports image to download report.
The report outlines findings a study of over 10 thousand junior/senior high students in the US, and examined the relationship between participation in sport and personal, social academic and relationship outcomes.
I Will What I Want
Misty Copeland is a barrier breaking ballet dancer who has had to overcome the stereotypes of African American body types in the world of ballet.
Misty Copeland is a barrier breaking ballet dancer who has had to overcome the stereotypes of African American body types in the world of ballet.
Mixed Topics
Iowa Hawkeyes (Football): New Tradition
Tom Rinaldi takes a deeper look into how much the Iowa Hawkeyes' new traition of waving to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital means to each kid looking on.
Tom Rinaldi takes a deeper look into how much the Iowa Hawkeyes' new traition of waving to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital means to each kid looking on.
Arthur the dog: Adventure Race World Championship
A distance of 6,455 miles doesn't begin to measure the journey one dog named Arthur made to join a team and find a family.
A distance of 6,455 miles doesn't begin to measure the journey one dog named Arthur made to join a team and find a family.
Kevin Hart (Comedian):
Comedian Kevin Hart has reached an astronomical level of celebrity and is using his influence to inspire his fans to stay fit.
Comedian Kevin Hart has reached an astronomical level of celebrity and is using his influence to inspire his fans to stay fit.
Hometown Hockey: Brigette Lacqutte
Brigette Lacquette plays for the Calgary Inferno and is one of Canada’s top female defensive players. Like so many in sport, Lacquette faced racism at a young age. She chose to rise above the abuse.
Lacquette is the first Indigenous hockey player to be selected to Canada's National Women's Hockey Team.
Brigette Lacquette plays for the Calgary Inferno and is one of Canada’s top female defensive players. Like so many in sport, Lacquette faced racism at a young age. She chose to rise above the abuse.
Lacquette is the first Indigenous hockey player to be selected to Canada's National Women's Hockey Team.
All Heart
Craig Cunningham was the personification of hard work. He was seemingly in perfect health. Until the 26-year old NHL/AHL player suddenly suffered a cardiac arrest on the ice in 2016. But less than a year later, Craig is forging a new legacy in hockey.
Craig Cunningham was the personification of hard work. He was seemingly in perfect health. Until the 26-year old NHL/AHL player suddenly suffered a cardiac arrest on the ice in 2016. But less than a year later, Craig is forging a new legacy in hockey.
29 Forever - Humboldt Broncos
The Humboldt Broncos bus crash plunged a town, a province and a country into mourning. Families forever changed. One year later, this is their journey.
The Humboldt Broncos bus crash plunged a town, a province and a country into mourning. Families forever changed. One year later, this is their journey.
From Gamer to Race Car Driver
SC Featured chronicles Super Formula driver Jann Mardenborough's journey from Gran Turismo video gamer to professional race car driver.
SC Featured chronicles Super Formula driver Jann Mardenborough's journey from Gran Turismo video gamer to professional race car driver.
Barn 1
While the Queen's Plate has produced some of the most dramatic moments, it was a race back in January where Woodbine yet again served as the stage for a very important race. One that came on the heels of an event that shook the horse racing community not just across Canada, but around the world
While the Queen's Plate has produced some of the most dramatic moments, it was a race back in January where Woodbine yet again served as the stage for a very important race. One that came on the heels of an event that shook the horse racing community not just across Canada, but around the world