Our Mission:

Since 1990, our mission has been to help reduce the numbers and severity of injuries occurring in sport and recreational activities.  By offering our unique sport safety programs, we aim to help educate coaches, trainers, volunteers and the general public in the prevention and first aid care of sport and physical recreation injuries.

Our sport safety programs are offered to more than 1000 participants in Ontario annually.  Our aim is to have our courses run in every municipality across the province.  Although we have a long way to go, with more and more host agencies offering these courses each year, we are confident that this goal is an achievable one. 

History of Sport First Aid:

During the revision and improvement of their Sport Injury Prevention & Care (SIPAC) program, the Sport Alliance of Ontario (SAO) identified a need and desire among the sport community for a first aid certification course focusing specifically on sport. In response, in August 2000, the SAO formed a partnership with the Canadian Red Cross to create a program that would meet the standards of both organizations. The resulting Red Cross Sport First Aid program endeavours to educate coaches, trainers, volunteers and the general public in the prevention and first aid care of injuries occurring in sport.

Sport First Aid is an 18-20 hour program combining the Canadian Red Cross' Standard First Aid and CPRAED certification course with the Sport Alliance's Sport Injury Prevention and Care (SIPAC) workshop. This course brings together the expertise and values of both organizations. The Sport First Aid manual, when used in conjunction with the Canadian Red Cross First Aid and CPR Manual, offers an overview of first aid specifically geared toward sport participants, coaches and trainers at all levels.

Sport Wrapping & Taping Workshops:

For nearly 15 years the Sport Alliance of Ontario has also offered a Sport Wrapping and Taping course which teaches coaches and trainers the proper techniques used in the prevention and treatment of sports injuries.  This full or half-day workshop, taught by a Certified Athletic Therapist, is a hands-on educational experience, offering participants ample opportunity to practice sport wrapping and taping techniques while learning when and how to apply them in a sport environment.