Quality intramural programs support every student in experiencing the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical benefits from participating in, contributing to, and/or leading intramural activities at school. For years, educators and school leaders across Ontario have accessed resources from Ophea’s Raise the Bar Intramurals Program for support in developing intramurals tailored to the unique needs of each school community. Ophea is proud to announce the launch of a new resource, Play for All: Strategies for Inclusive Intramurals, that includes adaptations of much of the tools, strategies, and planning supports that educators have become familiar with through the Raise the Bar program.
Providing students with the opportunity to lead an intramural program is a tremendous opportunity and creates a culture of ownership and inclusion. For over 20 years, Raise the Bar has been advocating for and supporting the delivery of inclusive intramural opportunities. This has been in an effort to provide students the chance to lead and engage in a variety of activities to support propelling them towards a lifelong appreciation of and participation in physical activity. I’m looking forward to the future growth of this movement through expanding the reach of meaningful, inclusive intramural opportunities for every student across Ontario's school communities with Play for All. Intramural programs offer students the chance to engage as both participants and leaders. Engaging students in this manner leads to a program that welcomes every student regardless of their experience or skill level.
Steve Friesen, Raise the Bar Founder and Consultant, Ophea; HPE Teacher/Department Head (retired);
Recreation Leader, City of Guelph
The exciting sneak peek launch of Play for All includes seven activity cards (adapted from Ophea’s PlaySport resource) that may be used to support a range of approaches to intramurals to accommodate different groupings of participants (e.g., individuals, pairs, small or large groups), and the focus of the activity (e.g., competitive or cooperative). Intramural organizers can select activities based on factors specific to their intramural program, such as the number of participants, participants developmental stage (i.e., primary, junior, intermediate, or senior students), student input, available time, equipment, and location.
The full launch of Play for All: Strategies for Inclusive Intramurals (coming in Fall 2023!) will contain:
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Intramural planning resources;
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Inclusive approaches to consider when developing intramural programs;
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Activities curated for use in diverse intramural settings, and,
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A resource database to provide educators with additional tools to support the planning and facilitation of quality intramurals, including links to partner resources and additional ideas for physical activities.
Play for All: Strategies for Inclusive Intramurals was developed in collaboration with educators, students, and interest holders, and with the input of a consulting panel with experts in education, intramurals, gender and sexual diversity, racial diversity, and accessibility and inclusion. Play for All’s Guiding Principles to Intramurals provide a foundation to review, reflect on, and re-imagine an intramural program that recognizes equity-centred practices and promotes a sense of belonging for every student.
The Re-imagining Intramurals project has provided an incredible opportunity to reinforce the importance of creating physical activity spaces that are inclusive for all students. The Play For All resource was developed through a collaborative process giving students, teachers and activity leaders the freedom to break-away from traditional guidelines for intramurals and rebuild a resource that provides a variety of activities that are fun, meaningful and engaging for each individual. The resource emphasizes the need for students to be actively involved in the design, development, and implementation of school-based activities enabling all student to develop a broader sense of belonging in their school community.
Kelly Kasper, Director, Sport & Recreation, Abilities Centre
Explore the sneak peek launch today and stay tuned for the full launch of Play for All: Strategies for Inclusive Intramurals, available in Fall 2023!
How is Play for All helping to re-imagine intramurals?
Play for All maintains the legacy of student engagement and leadership opportunities that were so pivotal to the success of Raise the Bar and expands upon the strategies and planning supports geared towards expansive, non-traditional intramural programming. Developed in consultation with subject matter experts, Play for All content reflects current identity-affirming and inclusive strategies to ensure that every student has the chance to experience the host of physiological, social, and emotional benefits associated with intramural participation.
As we navigate post-pandemic school environments, educators across the province are searching for ways to foster stronger, more connected communities. Inclusive Intramural programming is a powerful tool to achieve this goal, as it promotes student well-being, builds community, and encourages physical activity. The Play for All project provides practical, relevant principles that can be tailored to meet the unique needs of any school community, and I'm thrilled to have contributed to its development. With student well-being at the forefront of Ontario Education, Intramurals are an ideal starting point to create positive change.
Madelyn Gaskell, Ontario Student Trustee Association
What are inclusive intramurals?
Inclusive intramural programming considers the needs of the school community and of every student. Inclusive intramurals seek to provide entry points to physical activity throughout the school day by providing opportunities for a range of intramural activities, including expanded non-traditional offerings. Providing opportunities for every student to participate in physical activity through intramurals can help students experience a sense of belonging in their school community, which can positively impact their overall well-being and learning. These opportunities are especially important for those students who are typically underserved, not physically active at school, and/or have little access to physical activity experiences beyond their school day.
Non-traditional intramurals may involve cooperative (as opposed to competitive) games, as well as any activity encouraging physical activity that prioritizes student interest and fun. By considering and meaningfully planning for activities suitable for a range of abilities, identities, and interests, intramural leaders can develop intramural programming that is engaging and affirming for every student.
Play for All: Strategies for Inclusive Intramurals has been developed to provide educators with access to resources to enhance their capacity to implement inclusive, meaningful, safe, and fun intramural programming that meets the needs of every student in the school community. The resource’s Guiding Principles encourage educators to consider the unique needs of every student and provide a framework from which intramural leaders can examine and reflect on their school’s intramural offerings from a perspective that centers student voice, choice, and need.
Will I still be able to access Raise the Bar resources?
As of January 2024, the Raise the Bar website will be unavailable and Raise the Bar resources will no longer be offered for download in their current form. Much of the content will be adapted and included with the full launch of Play for All: Strategies for Inclusive Intramurals, but if there are any Raise the Bar resources that are integral parts of your practice, we encourage you to download them today!
Raise the Bar virtual workshops and consultations will be available until August 31, 2023. If your school community would benefit from a workshop after that date, please explore Ophea’s Professional Learning offerings, including Intramurals: Including Everyone in Physical Activity.
Explore the sneak peek launch of Play for All: Strategies for Inclusive Intramurals today!