Bounce Back League evaluation report: Prepared for BGC Canada BBL Celebration

Abstract

There is a pressing need to equip youth-serving community organizations to respond to the unique needs of trauma-exposed children. Early prevention measures can be an effective means of redirecting children to self-regulatory healing, while facilitating their transition toward strength-based thriving. Sport can offer a powerful opportunity to reach these children, given the popular, enjoyable, and motivating nature of these environments, and the potential to reach many unscreened trauma-exposed children. The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate sport-based trauma-informed practices with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada’s national Bounce Back League. Programs that use sport-based trauma-informed practices can offer healthy psychological escape through high levels of engagement, and feelings of embodiment and control through opportunities for skill-building. These positive program experiences can help orient these children toward pathways of resilience and thriving.