The Grande Prairie Regional Sport Connection’s Try It Day is back for its Fall session, boasting more than 30 sports for parents and kids to try out before committing to a full season of play.
This time around, the usual sports such as karate, ringette, and gymnastics will return, but new this year, arm wrestling and bowling will be available for those looking to try something new, which GPRSC Marketing and Communications Coordinator Heather Llewellyn says is what the day is all about.
“It showcases some of the over 80 sports that we have in town because a lot of people don’t realize we have over 80 different sports available and there’s something for everybody,” she says.
Llewellyn says the day is so attractive to parents and kids as it allows young people to try before committing to a full season in a sport they may not prefer. She says getting a feel for a new sport before committing to it allows kids to get active while having fun in activities they know they like.
“Once you sign your kids up, they’re committed for a season and sometimes you don’t know if they’re going to love it or not,” she says. “They come, they try it, the parents get a feel for the sport, the kids get a feel for the sport, so you can try it before you buy it.”
The Marketing Coordinator adds that the choice to include some sports that would otherwise go unnoticed by the general public is intentional. She says the more typical sports like hockey and soccer, while fun for some, are “not for everyone.”
“Not every kid wants to play hockey or soccer, which are huge in our community and are also very good, but they’re not necessarily for everybody,” she says. “It’s a way to try non-mainstream sports, you’ll find your niche.”
Ultimately, Llewelyn says the day really comes down to getting kids active in a fun and lighthearted setting. Try It Day is scheduled for September 14th and is open for free for youth aged six to 17.
