[Photo: Northern Store manager Darren Price (left) presents a Healthy Horizons Foundation grant to Jamie Kablutsiak, coordinator of the School Engagement through Sports Program at Qitiqliq Middle School]

Being part of a team can help students feel a sense of belonging at school – and, in turn, want to attend. That’s the goal of the School Engagement Through Sports program at Qitiqliq Middle School in Arviat, NU.

The North West Company's Healthy Horizons Foundation is helping get absent students back into school through this innovative sports program, funding it with a $4,200 grant.  

The program aims to attract students who are not in the habit of attending school by hosting after-school sports programs, including boys’ floor hockey and girls’ soccer . Teachers will volunteer their time, using the program as an opportunity to build relationships with students in the community while promoting important skills such as sportsmanship, team play, fairness and team building.

“We hope word of the hockey and soccer league will spread throughout the community and non-attenders will start coming to school to play in sports,” says Qitiqliq Middle School Vice-Principal Paul McLaughlin. “In doing so, we hope they will feel less intimidated, get to know other students and get to know some teachers in a non-classroom environment.”

The grant will help cover the cost of jerseys and hockey equipment for the program.