Martin Appointed Deputy Head

Robbie Harrison, Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission, announced today that Mr. F. A. (Tony) Martin, on secondment from Dalhousie University, will join the Nova Scotia government on April 1, 1999. Mr. Harrison also announced that Mr. Martin's position of executive director of the commission has been elevated to deputy head.

"Mr. Martin will provide effective leadership at a time when sport and recreation play an increasingly important role in a number of social issues facing the province," said Mr. Harrison. "We are pleased he is staying on."

Through the co-ordination and support of the sport and recreation system, government can create programs and infrastructure that provide positive social benefits at the community level, including dealing with inactivity levels in children and youth, youth-at-risk, and physical and verbal abuse. For example, some of the commission's current initiatives are:

• PACY -- physically active children and youth -- a co-ordinated provincial strategy to address the significant levels of inactivity among children and youth

• CAYAC -- children and youth action committee -- representatives from the departments of Justice, Health, Education and Culture, Community Services, Youth Secretariat and the Sport and Recreation Commission are developing a co-ordinated, provincewide approach to services for children and youth

• Fair & Safe Play -- created to encourage fair and safe play in all areas of sport and recreation. The initiative provides guidance, education, access to resources and a solid foundation on which to build initiatives tailored to a community, a team or any other group

• TransCanada Trail -- the commission is the lead agent responsible for an inter-departmental committee overseeing government co-operation and support in building the TransCanada Trail. Premier Russell MacLellan declared the TransCanada Trail as a priority millennium project for the province. More than 11 government departments are involved.

Mr. Martin has been active in the sport and recreation community for more than 27 years. Since Oct. 15, 1997, he has been on secondment to the commission from Dalhousie University, where he served as director of athletics and ancillary services.

The Sport and Recreation Commission provides policies, programs, and services that maintain, enhance and create quality sport, recreation, and fitness opportunities which improve health and contribute to the social and economic well-being of all Nova Scotians.