OCAA SHOWCASES STUDENT-ATHLETES ON SPORTS DAY IN CANADA

TORONTO - To help mark this year's Sports Day in Canada, a national celebration of sport from grassroots to high performance levels, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is being showcased in several locations throughout the province on Saturday.

Over 500 student-athletes will be actively participating in regular season competition in five different varsity sports from Sarnia to Kingston.

"Sport can be a powerful and positive influence in our communities," says Kelly Murumets, President and CEO of ParticipACTION, the national voice of physical activity and sport participation in Canada. "Sports Day in Canada is a great opportunity for families and kids of all ages to celebrate their favourite sport or try their hand at something new – it's all part of finding fun, easy ways to live a healthier, more active lifestyle."

Sports Day in Canada, on September 29, demonstrates that sport has the power to build community, fortify national spirit and promote healthy, active living.

"When sport is focused on fairness, excellence, inclusion and fun, it can reduce crime, stimulate the economy and teach important life lessons," says Karri Dawson, Director of True Sport Operations.

The official day caps off a week of more than a thousand local events, and includes a special television broadcast on CBC Sports. Sports Day in Canada is presented by CBC Sports, ParticipACTION and True Sport, working with national sporting organizations and their networks of coaches, athletes and enthusiasts across the country.

"Sports Day in Canada celebrates values which are an integral part of our philosophy," says Blair Webster, OCAA Executive Director. "While sport promotes an active and healthy lifestyle, it also aids in personal development, teaching leadership, integrity, respect and fair play."

Members of the general public are encouraged to attend the following events taking place throughout the OCAA on Saturday.

Women's Fastball
St. Clair at Conestoga (Doubleheader)
1 p.m. - Budd Park, Kitchener

Mohawk at Humber (Doubleheader)
1:30 p.m. - Wildwood Park, Mississauga

Men's Rugby
Georgian at Sheridan
1 p.m. - Trafalgar Campus, Oakville

Fleming at St. Lawrence (K)
3 p.m. - Kingston Campus, Kingston

Loyalist at Trent
5 p.m. - Justin Chiu Stadium, Peterborough

Women's Rugby
Seneca at Sheridan
11 a.m. - Trafalgar Campus, Oakville

Fleming at St. Lawrence (K)
1 p.m. - Kingston Campus, Kingston

Men's Soccer
Algonquin at George Brown
1:30 p.m. - Esther Shiner Stadium, North York

Mohawk at Lambton
2 p.m. - Main Campus, Sarnia

La Cite at Centennial
3 p.m. - Progress Campus, Scarborough

Niagara at Humber
3 p.m. - North Campus, Etobicoke

Cambrian at Durham
4 p.m. - Civic Field, Oshawa

St. Lawrence (K) at Seneca
4:15 p.m. - Newnham Campus, North York

Redeemer at Sheridan
5 p.m. - Trafalgar Campus, Oakville

Women's Soccer
Mohawk at Lambton
12 p.m. - Main Campus, Sarnia

Algonquin at Loyalist
1 p.m. - Main Campus, Belleville

La Cite at Centennial
1 p.m. - Progress Campus, Scarborough

Niagara at Humber
1 p.m. - North Campus, Etobicoke

Cambrian at Durham
2 p.m. - Civic Field, Oshawa

St. Lawrence (K) at Seneca
2 p.m. - Newnham Campus, North York

Redeemer at Sheridan
3 p.m. - Trafalgar Campus, Oakville

- OCAA -

ABOUT SPORTS DAY IN CANADA

Sports Day in Canada, on Saturday, September 29, 2012, is a national celebration of sport, from grassroots to high-performance levels, in communities across Canada. Sports Day in Canada caps off a week of more than a thousand local events and activities, such as community-wide festivals, try-it days, open houses, games, competitions, meet-and-greets, tournaments, fun runs, spectator events and pep rallies, and includes a special television broadcast on CBC Sports. Sports Day in Canada is presented by CBC Sports, ParticipACTION and True Sport, working with national sporting organizations and their networks of coaches, athletes and enthusiasts across the country. Sports Day in Canada is generously supported by Sport Canada, Subway Restaurant, New Balance Canada and B.C.'s Ministry of Health. For more information about Sports Day in Canada, please visit: www.cbcsports.ca/sportsday

ABOUT ONTARIO COLLEGES ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is a recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics in the province, dedicated to student athlete and sport development. The OCAA has 30 members sponsoring 16 league and tournament championships.

For additional information please contact:
Josh Bell-Webster
Marketing and Communications
Ontario Colleges Athletic Association
Tel: 416-426-7041
Fax: 416-426-7308
E-mail: bell-webster@ocaa.com