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Board of Education Chair Laurae McNally and City of Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts witnessed a number of Right to Play Athlete Ambassadors capture the attention of 1,000 cheering high school students at Sullivan Heights Secondary as the Right to Play (RTP) program -- a program which embraces the Olympic ideals of global citizenry -- kicked off in the Surrey School District.
The RTP Athlete Ambassadors Kyle Shewfelt (2004 Olympic gold medalist, gymnastics), Anna Rice (two-time Olympian, badminton), and Adam Kreek (2008 Olympic gold medalist, rowing) captivated students with personal stories of their Olympic experience or visits with kids from other countries.
The athletes are supporters of Right To Play; the Canada-based international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play programs to improve health, develop life skills, and foster peace for children and communities in the most disadvantaged areas of the world. Every week over 600,000 children participate in Right To Play programs in 23 countries around the world. The programs are delivered by over 13,000 volunteer leaders/coaches.
In addition to receiving inspiring and motivating presentations with an Olympic theme, Surrey students along the way learn important lessons and messages that emphasize: hope, respect, social responsibility, goal setting, leadership, teamwork, the importance of active living, sport, and healthy play. The program will inspire and encourage children in Surrey to be more physically active while promoting ideals of fair play and cooperation.
"Right To Play touches on so many important values for youth and for education; leadership, sport, social responsibility, respect and much more," says Surrey Board of Education Chair Laurae McNally. "Students are enjoying and learning from the presentations and our board is proud to be able to bring it into our schools in partnership with the City of Surrey."
The program will continue through to the 2010 Winter Games. During school visits by RTP Athlete Ambassadors, students are issued a challenge to do their own thing in support of Right To Play. A portion of funds raised go to children around the world and another portion remains in student programs permanent to Surrey.
Last Updated: September 28, 2009
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 click to enlarge photo
(from right to left) Linda Hepner, Chair of Mayor’s Task Force on 2010, Kyle Shewfelt (2004 Olympic gold medalist, gymnastics), Surrey Board of Education Chair Laurae McNally, Adam Kreek (2008 Olympic gold medalist, rowing), Sullivan Heights Student Council President, City of Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts, and Anna Rice (two-time Olympian, badminton).
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