News
RNS announces the 2025 Honourary Lifetime Member Award recipient: Mary Lou MacPherson
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“After graduation, I was fortunate to spend five summers working as a recreation leader. It was a full-circle moment—moving from participant to leader—and it confirmed for me that recreation was not only something I loved, but something I wanted to dedicate my life to. Those summers were the true catalyst that led me to a career as a physical educator, where I could continue fostering the same opportunities for others that I had once been given.” - Mary Lou MacPherson
Recreation Nova Scotia’s most prestigious award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding, significant, and consistent contributions to recreation in Nova Scotia for over 20 years, has left full-time association with the field, and is someone the community wishes to acknowledge publicly. RNS is thrilled to announce that this year’s award will be presented to Mary Lou MacPherson at the 2025 RNS Conference taking place in Sydney, Cape Breton on Wednesday, October 22.
Mary Lou MacPherson’s athletic and professional journey is a testament to passion, perseverance, and a trailblazing spirit. Born in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia, she first discovered her love of sport in her backyard, playing baseball with neighbourhood kids. When she was barred from Little League due to gender restrictions, she turned that setback into motivation—embracing opportunities offered by the local summer recreation program.
Those programs quickly became the highlight of her days. Each morning, she would run to the ball field for softball, and in the afternoons, she was in the gym, playing basketball, floor hockey, or whatever activity was on offer. These formative experiences not only provided a safe and welcoming place to play but also sparked a lifelong passion for sport, recreation, and community.
Mary Lou went on to shine in basketball, serving as the starting point guard at Nova Scotia Teachers College, where she majored in physical education. She later earned her Bachelor of Education from St. Francis Xavier University before beginning a 40-year career in education with the Northside and Cape Breton-Victoria School Boards. She served as both a physical education teacher and an Active Healthy Living Consultant, making lasting contributions at the school, district, and provincial levels.
Her career highlights include:
• Innovation & Creativity – initiated and established school-wide theme days that became a beloved tradition, fostering creativity and a strong sense of community. Additionally, created unique opportunities for students to participate in activities they might not otherwise have the chance to experience, encouraging innovation and broadening their horizons.
• Student Connections – Built lifelong bonds with students, such as one Primary child who, after initially refusing PE, became a devoted participant and still visits her today.
• Partnerships – As a champion of Health Promoting Schools in the Cape Breton region, was at the forefront of the partnership for many years, supporting schools in reaching healthy living goals along with partners from Public Health, the provincial government (CCTH) and municipal recreation.
• Coaching Leadership – Coached basketball, softball, and soccer at multiple levels.
• Consultant Work (25 years) – Organized the district-wide torch relay and track and field; pioneered the use of iPads in PE; launched a district-wide curling program; introduced Girls Play 2; and championed initiatives such as Mindfulness in Schools, Restorative Practices, and Active Smarter Kids.
• Professional Leadership – Chaired and presented at Teachers Association for Physical & Health Education (TAPHE) conferences, served on the Quality Daily Physical Education (QDPE) National Committee, and co-authored PE and Health curriculum.
Her excellence has been recognized with numerous honours, including the TAPHE Dorothy Walker Award, the NSTU Teaching in Excellence Award, and induction into the Northside Sports Hall of Fame. As an athlete, she continues to excel—winning the Seaview Golf Club championships 22 times and capturing a gold medal in hockey at the National 55+ Games.
Beyond her career, Mary Lou is an active participant in many sports and activities, including golf, hockey, curling, cross-country skiing, pickleball, and hiking. Her lifelong dedication to recreation has inspired countless students, colleagues, and community members, making her a most deserving recipient of the 2025 Recreation Nova Scotia Honourary Lifetime Member Award.
There are still tickets available to attend the RNS Awards Banquet on October 22. Find details about the 2025 RNS Conference and register for the conference and/or the banquet at https://www.recreationns.ns.ca/rns-annual-conference.html. Registration deadline is this Friday, October 10. Following this date, please email Lisa at
New Recreation Leadership Training - Project Update
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Recreation Nova Scotia (RNS) is excited to launch the first phase of developing a new Recreation Leadership Training Program, a new initiative designed to strengthen leadership capacity and provide high-quality accessible training tools.
Funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage (CCTH), this project will develop a modern, inclusive, and accessible training to support recreation leaders at the community level.
Through extensive sector engagement, collaborative design, and a strong focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging, this work will help ensure that recreation professionals have the tools and confidence to support communities through recreation programming across the province.
To guide the project, RNS has engaged J. Griffin Consulting, in partnership with Ready4 Consulting, as the lead consultant team. Led by Jillian Griffin, the team brings over 40 years of combined experience in recreation leadership training, adult education, inclusive program design, and sector engagement across Nova Scotia.
“This project is an important step in supporting the future of recreation leadership training in Nova Scotia,” said Graham Mounsey, Executive Director of Recreation Nova Scotia.
“With the support of CCTH and the expertise of J. Griffin Consulting and Ready4 Consulting, we’re excited for the process underway and the resultant training that meets the demand for the sector in Nova Scotia”
Phase One of the project will include convening a steering committee, an environmental scan, and engagement via focus groups with recreation leaders and other interested groups, including at the RNS Annual Conference. Knowledge and input will be gathered to design a practical, outcome-driven training that meets the needs of recreation professionals across diverse contexts.
The first phase is expected to conclude in early 2026 with implementation planning taking place in Spring 2026 before a launch in May-June 2026.
By investing in leadership development, and with the continued support of the Province of Nova Scotia, RNS aims to ensure the recreation sector continues to grow, adapt, and deliver inclusive, high-quality recreation experiences for all in Nova Scotia.
Sharing Back: What We Heard from Nova Scotia in the Renewal of the Framework for Recreation in Canada
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In October 2024, during 'CPRA Day' at the RNS Conference, Recreation Nova Scotia members shared their views to help shape the renewal of the Framework for Recreation in Canada. This large in-person consultation in Antigonish, led by Canadian Parks & Recreation Association, added to data from subsequent surveys as well as focus groups focused on emerging priorities and specific sub-groups. Nova Scotia was represented in focus groups on topics such as the arts within recreation and recreation's role in responding to emergencies such as wildfires.
Nova Scotia voices played an important role in identifying the opportunities and challenges facing our sector today. This makes up a part of the national consultation process that engaged more than 2,500 participants. Through this process, several messages emerged:
- The renewed Framework must be practical and actionable—with tools and examples that front-line practitioners can use.
- There is strong support for shared national measurements that demonstrate the value of recreation and help align our work with public health, education, and climate priorities.
- Participants emphasised the need to strengthen collaboration across sectors—from housing and health to education and the environment.
- Recreation must be recognized and funded as a vital public service, not just an optional add-on.
- Equity, belonging, and accessibility need to be built in from the start, ensuring that programs, spaces, and staffing reflect the diversity of our communities.
- The Framework must be flexible and adaptable, ready to respond to challenges like climate change, mental wellness, workforce development, and affordability.
- Lastly, there was an importance placed on both land and water-based recreation, affordable access to facilities, and understanding and emphasising the essential role recreation plays in supporting community health and resilience
These contributions are now shaping the next phase of the Framework renewal, which will focus on creating tools, shared measurements, and a model to help make this information actionable for the sector.
We extend our thanks to all who participated in-person and online. You are helping to ensure that the renewed Framework reflects both national priorities and the unique realities of recreation and parks in Nova Scotia.
Access the pdf Full Summary of Findings(9.81 MB)
Stay up to date on the Renewal of the Framework for Recreation in Canada
Help Us Bring Your Recreation Stories to Parliament Hill
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We can't do this without your voice!
On behalf of RNS, Graham & Rachel (RNS Exec. Director and CPRA Board Rep.) will be joining colleagues from across the country for a coordinated day of federal advocacy in Ottawa this November. As part of this important effort, delegates will meet with Ministers, Members of Parliament, and senior federal officials to advance the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association’s (CPRA) pre-budget recommendations.
We’re looking to bring real stories from Nova Scotia to the table. Stories that illustrate how CPRA’s recommendations resonate in your community and how national action could support local impact.
Our Ask:
We want to hear about your community’s "emblems” - a story, facility, person, or program that symbolizes the role of recreation in your area.
We’re collecting local examples to support national priorities:
- Recreation infrastructure renewal
- Crisis response & recovery
- Youth employment through recreation
- A national strategy for parks & recreation
Any questions?
Email Fawn at
EDIA Highlight: The Nova Scotia Junior Girls Surf Program
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"Our daughter had such an incredible experience with Girls on Boards this year. This was her second year learning to surf, and it was so special to see her confidence grow—not only in her own surfing, but also in her ability to support others through the Youth Mentor Clinic. Being able to help teach girls really boosted her awareness of the ocean and her belief in herself. She always looks forward to the next surf night or clinic at the beautiful Mavillette Beach, and she loves being in the water surrounded by such a positive group of girls. I especially value how the multi-age group setting shows that girls of all ages can learn from one another, no matter their experience or age." - Parent
The Surfing Association of Nova Scotia (SANS), founded in 1987, is a community-based, non-profit organization dedicated to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and enjoyable surf culture throughout the province. As a Nova Scotia, Mi'kma'ki, recognized Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) and Provincial Recreation Organization (PRO), SANS supports both recreational and competitive surfing, as well as coastal stewardship and improved access to Nova Scotia's beaches.
SANS also plays a role in expanding access to surfing for underserved communities. Throughout recent years, their programming, supported by national and provincial funding, brought surf and ocean literacy sessions to Mi'kmaw, Black, and newcomer youth across regions, including Unama'ki, Kespukwik, and Kjipuktuk. Additionally, this past summer, SANS launched a junior girls' surf program, supported by Canadian Women & Sport, to foster gender equity in sport—creating opportunities for young female and non-binary surfers to build skills and confidence.
Over several weeks, participants engaged in a series of surf practices that went beyond skill-building in the water. These consistent gatherings enabled youth to form deep bonds, steadily improve their surfing skills, and develop both self-confidence and a sense of empowerment over time. Each session was facilitated by EDIA and ISA Adaptive Surf Instruction-certified SANS Board Members, who each brought expertise in both technical coaching and inclusive mentorship. The youth in Kespukwik were trained as Youth Surf Mentors and helped plan and lead surfing activities for other girls, youth, and organizations in their community (namely SHYFT House and Autism NS).
Participants were provided with equipment, food, water, and program supplies—including changing ponchos to facilitate frequent changes between wetsuits and dry clothes. Reflection activities and group discussions encouraged personal growth, while shared meals and gatherings fostered connection and celebration.
This program culminated in a weekend surf retreat in Unama'ki, where families were invited to join. This retreat offered intensive skill development, furthered peer bonding, and maximized impact through community connection. For some youth, the program also included earning Bronze Star certifications and ILS Surf and Ocean Rescue certification, equipping them with nationally recognized lifesaving and leadership skills.
Programs such as this are vital: in Canadian university sport, women account for only 26% of head coaches for women's teams, 18% of mixed-gender teams, and just 3% of men's teams. By centering equity and empowerment at the grassroots level, SANS is helping to shift these systemic disparities and inspire the next generation of diverse surf and recreation leaders in Mi'kma'ki.
The junior girls' and non-binary youth surf program fostered growth in participants both on and off the waves. Youth were able to gain confidence not only in surfing techniques but also in expressing themselves socially within the group. Providing a consistent, safe and inclusive space was central to the program's success. By ensuring that participants felt respected, supported, and seen, SANS created a space where youth could explore leadership, decision-making, and teamwork without fear of judgement or bias. This nurturing environment strengthened participants' sense of belonging, highlighting the importance of community and peer support in sustaining engagement with sport.
The program also made women and non-male leaders visible in action. Seeing SANS' women board members actively guiding, coaching, and mentoring demonstrated to youth that leadership is attainable and not confined by gender. This modeling presented participants with new possibilities for themselves, encouraging them to envision future roles in surf culture and beyond.
SANS was able to deliver the junior girls' surf program through partnerships with: Clare Girls On Boards/The Good Wave Project, Richmond County Recreation, Autism NS Southwest Chapter and SHYFT House, resources from Canadian Women & Sport – Gender Equity in Coaching and Playbook; and funding from Canadian Women & Sport, the Province of Nova Scotia's Active Community Fund and Canadian Tire JumpStart.
For those looking to facilitate similar recreation programs, the SANS leaders shared the following advice: "Start by listening to and consulting with the youth and the communities you intend to serve. Too often, programs are designed based on assumptions rather than actual needs, which can unintentionally create gaps, insensitivity, or barriers to participation. Engaging participants in co-design—asking them what support, resources, and experiences would be most meaningful—ensures the program is relevant, accessible, and empowering from the outset."
It is also crucial to provide safe and inclusive spaces where participants feel respected and empowered to take risks, make mistakes, and express themselves genuinely. Prioritizing flexibility, reflection, and responsiveness throughout programming cultivates an ongoing dialogue with participants, ensuring that their evolving needs are met.
Do you have a promising practice or success story you would like to share with the recreation sector? Contact Kerri Jack at
Survey - Community Use of Schools
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With leadership from colleagues in the South Shore, Valley, and CCTH, Recreation Nova Scotia is gathering insights on community use of schools.
Our goal is to better understand the challenges and differences in how recreation departments and groups can access school facilities. In order to build a clear picture across the province, we are looking for municipal recreation departments to complete a survey for schools in their area.
To capture these differences effectively, we ask that that this survey is completed once per school.
By building a clear picture across the province, collectively we can work to identify solutions to improve access. Data will be collected by RNS and shared with regions upon request. Deadline for submissions is 31st October 2025.