Trying Something New: Caribbean Hub Kids Connect Through Sport
At Caribbean Hub, we’re always looking for opportunities to expose our children and families to new experiences, build connections, and get involved in the wider community.
This September, some of our Caribbean Hub children and families had the opportunity to participate in Connected by Sport, an initiative bringing Indigenous and newcomer communities together through sport, cultural exchange, and shared experiences.
Thanks to the wonderful organizations behind this initiative, our kids got to try new sports, meet new people, and take part in activities they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to experience.
For us, that made being involved especially meaningful!
New Experiences for Our Caribbean Hub Kids
Our members participated in two Connected by Sport activities during September, each offering something different.
Our first experience took place in the Greater Victoria area, around the Gorge Waterway, where Caribbean Hub children and families joined other participants for activities including ultimate frisbee, canoeing, and kayaking.
It was a chance for our kids to get outdoors, try something new, learn alongside others, and simply enjoy being part of a larger community experience.
On September 27, we headed to Long Lake in Nanaimo for another opportunity to connect and learn.
This time, participants experienced Indigenous canoeing and kayak polo, before attending the BC Indigenous Canoe & Kayak Championships. They had the opportunity to watch competitive races and experience the excitement surrounding the event.
For our kids, these weren’t just fun outings. They were opportunities to discover new interests, gain confidence, learn about Indigenous sporting traditions, and connect with other children and families.
Why Opportunities Like These Matter
Our Caribbean community on Vancouver Island is relatively small, and many of the families we connect with are newcomers to Canada.
Sometimes, it’s not a lack of interest that prevents families from participating in sports and recreational activities. It’s simply not knowing what’s available, where to start, or how to access these opportunities.
Transportation, equipment costs, registration fees, and unfamiliarity with certain activities can also create barriers.
That’s why initiatives like Connected by Sport are so valuable.
They open doors for children and families to experience something new in a welcoming and supportive environment.
As an organization, we want our Caribbean Hub children to feel connected to their cultural roots, but we also want them to feel connected to the wider community they are growing up in.
We want them to try new things, build friendships, learn from other cultures, and feel that they belong in all kinds of community spaces.
Having organizations actively include our members in opportunities like these makes a real difference.
Learning and Connecting with Indigenous Communities
Another meaningful part of these experiences was the opportunity for our members to connect with Indigenous communities.
Through sport, shared activities, and cultural learning, our children and families were able to participate in experiences that encouraged curiosity, respect, and understanding.
Our Nanaimo visit also took place during Truth and Reconciliation Week, making the opportunity to learn and build relationships particularly meaningful.
We recognize the importance of creating opportunities for newcomer and Caribbean families to learn about the Indigenous Peoples and communities of the lands we now call home.
Experiences like these provide a starting point for building those connections through participation, listening, and shared learning.
Thank You for Including Our Community!
We want to extend a BIG thank you to Sport for Life, the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC), the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA), Canoe Kayak BC, Ultimate Spirit, and all the organizers, facilitators, Indigenous community members, and volunteers who made these experiences possible.
Most importantly, thank you for including Caribbean Hub and giving our children and families the opportunity to participate.
We’re grateful to be connected with organizations that recognize the importance of making community programs accessible and welcoming to families from different cultural backgrounds.
We hope to continue building these relationships and introducing our members to more opportunities throughout Vancouver Island and beyond.
Because for us, building community isn’t only about bringing people into our own events and programs. It’s also about showing up, supporting others, and making sure our members have opportunities to experience everything our wider community has to offer.
Photo credit: Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA). Learn more about the Connected by Sport initiative through Sport for Life.
