A sport that every girl can afford

A study by Mark Tremblay (University of Saskatchewan) and Douglas Willms (Canadian Research Institute for Social Policy, University of New Brunswick) highlights an alarming rise in the incidence of child and youth obesity.

Over half of Canadian children and youth aged five to 17 are not active enough for optimal growth and development and Canadian girls in particular are not getting enough exercise. These statistics coupled with our current tough economic times are just a couple of reasons why families are looking for affordable ways to get their children active.

According to a recent poll by Health Canada; “eighty percent of Canadians said they believe physical activity is ‘as important as nutrition’ to the health of children and teenagers and 16 percent said they consider physical activity ‘more important’."

Kim Bouffard, the President of the Callander Softball Association is on a mission to get young girls active. She recently took over the Callander Softball Association and has formed a committee of youth to help get young girls in rural areas such as Bonfield, East Ferris area, and Powassan involved in softball.

“I was always involved in sports as a kid and in these tough economic times girl’s softball is one of the most affordable sports that parents can get their children involved in," said Bouffard.

"Our leagues first priority is to keep the price of registration low and to reach out to the youth in the rural communities that surround us.”

The price to play softball this year with the Callander Softball Association is $80.00. The Callander Softball Association will be at the North Bay Mall on April 18th ,19th, 25th, and 26th and at the Callander Legion on April 25th, 26th, May 2nd and 3rd to sign up interested girls between the ages of 9th and 20th.

For more information about the league call Kim at 472-5369 or send an email to [email protected]