Health and Wellness

Highlighting the Benefits of Sports on CAF Sports Day

Cyndi Mills - Owner | Publisher CMF Magazine October 18, 2023

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Above image: Left, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship REGINA’s Personnel Support Program Representative, Mrs. Amélie Côté, runs a morning yoga class for the ship’s crew during Operation PROJECTION in the Indian Ocean, June 1, 2019. Photo by: Corporal Stuart Evans, BORDEN Imaging Services. For other images, see below.

This year marks the 11th edition of the National Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Sports Day. It is a day dedicated to celebrating the power of sports.

According to CANFORGEN 121/23, CAF Sports Day will be held on October 19th with Personnel Support Programs (PSP) and units across the CAF, home and abroad, organizing various activities throughout October to mark the occasion.

Members of HMCS FREDERICTON participate in a sports day during Operation REASSURANCE, on 26 March 2023 in Souda Bay, Greece. Photo by: Cpl Noé Marchon, Canadian Armed Forces Photo.

Importance of Sports

The CANFORGEN noted, “the Chief of the Defence Staff guidance to the CAF highlights in the CAF Sports Strategy that whether at home or abroad, it is important to leverage sports” as it:

improves fitness,
foster’s mental wellness,
builds morale.

Plus, sports develop core military attributes like teamwork, self-discipline, leadership, esprit de corps, perseverance, and resilience.

Canadians deployed on Operation REASSURANCE along with members from the United States join members of the Latvian National Armed Forces in a series of Friendly Exhibition Games in Valmiera, Latvia on April 22, 2023. Photo by: Corporal Darren McDonald, TFL HQ, Canadian Armed Forces photo.

Benefits of Well-Balanced Sports Program

“A well-balanced sports program helps improve physical, social, and mental health, promotes community integration, and builds family relationships,” stated the CANFORGEN. Hence, “sports are seen as a critical enabler to achieving this aim while also contributing to the continued development of CAF personnel.”

The Chief of Military Personnel noted in the CANFORGEN, “I encourage all CAF leaders, members, their families, and the extended defence team to participate in sport activities at your location. For more information on CAF Sports Day 2023, please contact your local PSP Staff.”