In the case of the environment across the 2025 Canada Video games in St. John’s, there’s solely room for one kind of angle: Good Vibes Solely.
That’s not only a catchphrase, it’s the title of the group’s protected sport consciousness marketing campaign.
Canada Video games president and CEO Kelly-Ann Paul mentioned the theme is a part of her staff’s effort to alter how individuals view protected sport coverage, which is about making a taking part in discipline freed from harassment, abuse and discrimination.
“[With] safe sports, there’s a lot of negative connotation about where things have come from, right? You know, ‘don’t do this. You can’t say that. No more harassment, no more bullying, no more bad language. No more hazing,’” Paul mentioned.
“There’s been a lot of, ‘don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t, don’t,’ and not a lot of explanation of what to do, how to treat people, how sports should feel.”
The Good Vibes Solely marketing campaign contains video messaging that encourages individuals to talk up for protected sport. The primary video options outstanding Canada Video games alumni Kylie Masse, Charles Hamelin, Allison Forsyth and Woody Belfort.
Paul mentioned the Canada Video games Council has been working with Era Protected — a protected sport training group began by Olympic alpine skier Forsyth, who grew to become an advocate after residing by means of her personal sexual abuse within the sport system.
“To have an impact, we have to call out maltreatment when we see it,” Forsyth mentioned in an announcement. “Canada Games participants are at a key stage in their development and athletic journeys, and this campaign will elevate their awareness about maltreatment in sport. As a community — athletes, parents, coaches, officials and administrators — we loudly need to expect better and rally together to keep sport safe for all.”
Stream reside motion from the 2025 Canada Video games on CBCSports.ca, CBC Gem and the CBC Sports activities YouTube channel. Examine the published schedule for full particulars.
Due to venture funding from the federal authorities and Canadian Olympic Committee, Paul mentioned they’re working to “flip the tone” about protected sport. Meaning utilizing constructive messaging to succeed in a brand new technology of athletes on the Canada Video games.
“The Good Vibes Only campaign is exactly meant to explain to these 5,000-plus [athletes and coaches] about how sports should feel, how it should look, how it should feel safe,” Paul mentioned.
The messaging shall be unattainable to overlook for anybody competing at, attending or following the 2025 Canada Video games on-line. Paul mentioned marketing campaign movies have been posted to the Canada Video games social media channels, and snippets shall be performed in-venue throughout competitors and through each opening and shutting ceremonies.
There may be additionally a model that focuses on what position followers play in making a protected sport atmosphere. The video options Canada Video games alumni Élodie Tessier and Shanice Marcelle, Canada Video games Future Official Jake Wiseman, and the dad and mom of Canada Video games alum Audrey Leduc.
“We’ve been fortunate to receive additional funding from the Canadian Olympic Committee and Government of Canada … to build a more tailored message directly to parents and spectators about ‘Good Vibes Only’ and what it means when you’re in the stands,” Paul mentioned.
Together with a coaching program for each volunteer on the Canada Video games, efforts additionally included simplifying what had been a complicated and tough course of to submit a grievance.
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The occasions kick off Aug. 8-25 in St. John’s, N.L. and shall be streamed on CBC Sports activities and CBC Gem.
“If there does end up being a safe sport complaint, where to go is very complicated, so we’ve built a website that helps direct the complainant to the right mechanism to launch a complaint,” Paul mentioned.
The step-by-step course of affords complainants choices on who the grievance is about and can direct them on who particularly to contact to handle their considerations.
‘More than just words’
The Canada Video games Host Society CEO, Karen Sherriffs, mentioned that St. John’s 2025 was dedicated to creating the fitting atmosphere for athletes to flourish, and that ‘Good Vibes Only’ is all about security, respect and inclusion.
“This campaign is about more than just words, it’s a call to action. We want every participant, from athletes to volunteers, to feel supported, valued, and empowered to speak up,” Sherriffs mentioned in an announcement. “Together, we’re building an environment where only good vibes thrive at the Games and long after.”
Paul mentioned the hope is that this marketing campaign will attain greater than these on the 2025 Video games, and that the ‘good vibes’ will keep on for years to return.
“I have to commend the leadership with 2025 for really having committed to the cause, which is using our platform and our potential to build the right type of programming for the ’25 Games and also for beyond,” Paul mentioned. “Our hope is what we’ve built is evergreen and will be carried through 2027 in Quebec, in 2029 in New Brunswick, and so on.”
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Watch CBC Sports activities’ Anastasia Bucsis check athletes’ data on the Canada Video games.