Motivate Canada

Motivate Canada is a Canadian non-profit organization that empowers youth through sports and recreation. The organization is based in Ottawa, with offices in Toronto and Winnipeg. Motivate Canada’s approach is based on youth-driven development. This theory assumes that not only is there a bias against youth initiative throughout the world, but removing this bias can have powerful effects on community development. Motivate Canada works with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadian youth to develop their desire and capacity to follow their dreams. Some of the tools used include role-models, leadership and confidence-building, and medium to long-term community support.

The earliest Motivate Canada program was the Esteem Team [1], created in 1994 by Olympic wrestler Chris Wilson. Wilson wanted to inspire young Canadians to follow their dreams and gave motivational presentations in elementary and high-schools throughout British Columbia. In 2001, he was joined by Field Hockey Olympian Ian Bird (field hockey) and World Soke Cup Karate Champion Lisa Ling. Today, the ESTEEM Team counts dozens of Athletes Role Models engaging youth throughout Canada including: Alisha Tatham Brampton, Ontario - Team Canada Basketnall, Amber Konikow - Sudbury, Ontario - National Boxing Champion, Kent Brown Winnipeg Manitoba, National Team Boxer, Corey Robinson - Halifax Nova Scotia, National Team Wrestler, Mark Hatfield - Ottawa, Ontario CIS, CFL & NFL Football, Darin Kyle - Ottawa, Ontario World Dance Champion, Benoit St-Amand - Montreal Quebec, Paralympic Gold Medalist, Sledge Hockey, Brian Nugent, Isabelle Turcotte Baird, Claire Carver-Dias, Olympic Bronze Medalist, Graeme Murray, Rob Cox, Chelsea Lariviere, Josh Vander Vies, Jennifer Joyce - Kamloops British Columbiam, National Team, Athletics (Hammer Throw), Kieran Block - Edmonton, Alberta, Team Canada Sledge Hockey, Keely Brown - Edmonton, Alberta, Team Canada Ringette, Cheryl Bernard- Calgary, Alerbta, Olympic Silver Medalist Curling, Kia Byers - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan National Team Canoe/Kayak, Mike Jones - Squamish, British Columbia, National Team Mountain Bike Adam Kreek - Victoria, British Columbia Olympic Gold Medalist - Rowing, Cheryl Pounder - Mississauga, Ontario, Olympic Gold Medalist - Ice Hockey, Dave Durepos - Fredericton, New Brunswick - Paralympic Gold Medalist, Wheel Chair Basketball