ASSINIBOIA — The Toronto Blue Jays are Canada’s only Major League Baseball Team, but that doesn’t mean they have forgotten their grassroots.
Under the direction of 7th Avenue School teacher, Sarah McNutt, an after-school baseball program has benefitted from a donation of equipment and supplies to encourage children to play ball and become more active.
The website says this foundation is levelling the playing field to unlock potential through actions like advancing equitable access, prioritize belonging, providing quality physical activity and building resiliency.
McNutt says they were successful recipients of an entire baseball kit to run their after-school program. The kit included: T batting posts; balls, both baseball and wiffle balls; bats; a set of bases, 10 Blue Jays gloves and batting helmets.
“I undertook training through the Jays Care Fund to implement a one-hour a week after-school baseball program. We had 17 boys and 17 girls take part in this program,” adds McNutt. “The program incorporates brain-based coaching involving connecting students with ice breakers and breathing exercises to start in every practice, in order to calm kids before we start.”
Boys who are participating in an after-school ball program offered by 7th Avenue School with their instructors. | Photo courtesy 7th Avenue School
Seventeen girls are enrolled in the 7th Avenue School after-school ball program.
McNutt expresses their gratitude for this grant, as it was instrumental to the success of the program delivered.
The program is aimed at kids who are not already part of organized sport, with McNutt serving as the program lead. She was assisted by Lisa O’Neil, Shannon Moneo, principal Aaron Hesjedal, Tegan Struble, a Grade 11 career and work student and Kailla Chamberlain.
McNutt says of her experience,” Sport helps keep kids in school and gives them a sense of belonging. I witnessed huge growth as some kids started not being able to catch or hit, and every week, we saw progress. Every kid could hit and catch the ball by the end of the program.”
Erynn Biggar, Health and Wellness Consultant from Ever Active Schools, connected with the Jays Care Foundation adds, “Ever Active Schools and Jays Care Foundation established a partnership in September of 2023 to help deepen the awareness of the Affiliate School programs in Alberta and Saskatchewan as well as provide on the ground support to schools who are running the program in these provinces.
Biggar notes that Ever Active Schools help support educators in both Alberta and Saskatchewan, who are running the Affiliate School programs in their schools.
“A part of that support includes travelling to 25 schools to conduct celebration visits to celebrate the amazing athletes and coaches participating, help support educators with any questions they may have to provide inclusive programming for all and lastly to gather ideas around programming to share with future educators.” Biggar visited Assiniboia’s program on May 1. Along with a colleague, Emily Biggar, Biggar visited 25 schools in both provinces.
“As soon as I met Sarah, I could tell she has a passion for teaching. She has fully embraced the program, making it a fun, inclusive space for her students to have a positive sporting experience. This is exactly what we are wanting with the Jays Care Affiliate School program. Sarah is doing an amazing job, and it was apparent the students were having a great time and they had an immense amount of respect for their teacher,” acknowledged Biggar.
The Jays Care Affiliate Schools Program is a free extracurricular program that helps level the playing field for children and youth across Canada, in inclusive programming that aims to help remove barriers that prevent participation in physical activity.
“Participating schools will receive everything necessary to run a fun and inclusive program in their schools, including free equipment, a best-in-class program manual and t-shirts and hats for all athletes and coaches,” said Biggar
The outcomes proposed for those that benefit from this foundation are a greater love for sport and physical activity, an enhanced sense of belonging, and an increase in life skills like self-regulation, leadership and a positive sense of identity.
This national foundation impacts those who benefit from it by creating stronger, more connected communities, continued engagement in sport and physical activity and enhanced well-being.
More information about how to sign up can be found here: https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/community/jays-care/affiliate-school-program/en.
