From the Field to the Court - Suburban FC & Sobeys Atlantic Tennis Centre Establish Cross-Sport Partnership
Suburban FC & the Sobeys Atlantic Tennis Centre (SATC) are thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in promoting holistic athletic growth and well-being within our community.
Our partnership is inspired by findings from the Copenhagen City Heart Study, which evaluated the differential improvements in life expectancy associated with participation in various sports & activities. The study followed 8577 participants for up to 25 years. It highlighted that engaging in specific sports/activities, with tennis (1st) and soccer (3rd), can significantly enhance life expectancy and overall well-being. Suburban FC and the Sobeys Atlantic Tennis Centre are committed to bringing these benefits to our members, athletes, and the wider community by fostering a multi-sport environment.
The primary vision behind this partnership is to create Healthier Communities through the power of sports and unity. By combining our resources and expertise, we aim to provide athletes of all ages and skill levels with opportunities to develop their talents across multiple sports, thereby enhancing their overall physical and mental health.
Here are some of the key initiatives that will be at the forefront of the partnership.
1. Building a Healthier Community
The Copenhagan City Heart Study from the Mayo Clinic (Schnohr P, O'Keefe, et al., 2018) found that tennis & soccer were two of the top three sports that directly contributed to improved life expectancy. This partnership will launch initiatives to improve our community members' health and wellness. In a time when our healthcare systems and the overall general health of our communities are in a challenging space, we have the power to use our sports as a vehicle to make a positive impact.
2. Multi-Sport Athlete Development:
Suburban FC and the Sobeys Atlantic Tennis Centre will offer integrated training programs that encourage soccer and tennis participation. This approach promotes physical fitness and helps develop versatile athletic skills, reduce the risk of injury, and keep athletes engaged and motivated.
3. Facility Access, Share & Development
Athletes from both clubs will have access to a wider range of facilities, including soccer fields and tennis courts. This shared access will enable better scheduling flexibility and provide more opportunities for practice and competition. Further, our organizations will work together on future building & development projects in the region.
A Message from Our Leaders:
Jessie: “I am very much looking forward to this partnership with the Sobeys Atlantic Tennis Centre. We have worked well together for the past 4 years with integrating our sports together and this solidifies our relationship. Tennis and Soccer are great supplementary & complementary sports, but overall I am more excited about the holistic development of these athletes as it relates to their long-term health! I look forward to all the benefits that this partnership will bring to our growing community.”
Brad: I firmly believe that bringing SATC and Suburban closer together will help foster a vibrant and healthy community. We aim to cultivate a culture of athleticism, teamwork, healthy living, and inclusivity that transcends boundaries. This collaboration represents a significant step towards building a stronger, more interconnected community where everyone can thrive and excel both on and off the field/court." Tennis NS will use this project as a pilot and hopes to expand partnerships throughout NS communities.
Join us in celebrating this groundbreaking partnership as we work together to create healthier, more vibrant communities through the unity of soccer and tennis. Stay tuned for more details on upcoming programs and events.
For more information, please contact:
Jessie Burgins
Executive Director, Suburban FC
E: jessie.burgins@suburbanfc.ca
Brad Lawlor
CEO, Sobeys Atlantic Tennis Centre & Tennis NS
E: bradlawlor@tennisnovascotia.com
REFERENCES:
Schnohr P, O'Keefe JH, Holtermann A, Lavie CJ, Lange P, Jensen GB, Marott JL. Various Leisure-Time Physical Activities Associated With Widely Divergent Life Expectancies: The Copenhagen City Heart Study. Mayo Clin Proc. 2018 Dec;93(12):1775-1785. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2018.06.025. Epub 2018 Sep 4. PMID: 30193744.
