NHL Playoffs a memorable time of year for Canadians

(NC)—As the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs are creating new memories, a recent survey asked Canadians about their Stanley Cup memories of old. Not surprisingly, seasons involving Canadian franchises vaulted to the top of the list, with the Vancouver Canucks NHL Finals appearance of 2011, Montreal Canadians Stanley Cup Championship from 1993 and the Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Championship from 1967 taking the top three spots as most memorable Finals in NHL history.

The study was commissioned by Molson Coors, as part of the introduction of The Stanley Cup Collection, a series of 92 commemorative cards now available across the country celebrating each year of the award.

“I’m not surprised to see the ’67 and ’93 seasons rise to the top of the results, I think even non-fans have heard hockey lovers talk about those two seasons,” says Reid Black, the brand manager for Molson Canadian. Limited edition Stanley Cup beer cans are also available for the duration of the playoffs, Black says it’s a milestone for a partner of the NHL to have the Stanley Cup featured on its packaging.

Regional affiliations proved rather important on the survey, as more than one-quarter of Albertans ranked the Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup Championship of 1984 championship as their most memorable, and more than half of people from Quebec ranking Montreal’s 1993 Cup run amongst their favourite Stanley Cup Finals moments.

A person’s favourite team was the deciding factor in determining most Canadian’s favourite year, with two thirds of Canadians replying either “My team won the Stanley Cup”, or “Although they didn’t win, my favourite team made a great run at the Cup”, to describe their top choice.

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Tags: hockey, hockey news, NHL, NHL news, NHL Playoffs a memorable time of year for Canadians

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Golf courses manage pests to protect their turf

(NC)—Golf courses are valuable green spaces in many communities and the sport is enjoyed by Canadians of all ages.

It is true that we want our favourite course to be healthy but this requires a lot of attention. Sometimes despite best efforts to control pests on golf courses, they are affected by pests. Some of these pests include turf diseases like dollar spot and snow mould that affect normal growth of grass and can cause significant turf loss, experts say. Turf insects feed on the grass and can inflict severe damage. Weeds are also a threat because they compete with grass for moisture and affect the playability of a course.

To control pests, golf courses practice integrated pest management , using the right tool at the right time to treat an infestation. One tool is pesticides, which are regulated by Health Canada to ensure they are safe and effective tools to control the pests they are designed for. They help maintain healthy vegetation and playing surfaces which has many environmental benefits.

Golf courses are often located in urbanized areas so can be valuable green spaces that help preserve habitats for wildlife and waterfowl. Data shows that healthy turf and trees act as natural air conditioners by producing large amounts of oxygen while removing carbon dioxide. Did you know that healthy turfgrass can sequester almost 900 kilograms of carbon per hectare each year?

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Tags: Golf and pesticides, Golf courses, Golf courses manage pests to protect their turf, golfing, Golfing news

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Pain in golf shouldn't be par for the course

(NC)—Considering the number of times a swing is repeated during a game of golf, it’s not surprising that the season often ends early for those who are not physically prepared.

Every year, Ontario’s chiropractors treat countless golfers for injuries that could easily have been prevented. That’s why Get in the Game Without the Pain, the Ontario Chiropractic Association’s public awareness campaign, is one of their most popular programs year after year.

“As warmer weather approaches, golfers can’t wait to get to the first tee. But twisted postures, the torque of the swing and forgetting to warm up can cause unnecessary injury,” says Dr. Natalia Lishchyna, president of the OCA. “It’s unfortunate that many golfers miss out on much of the season due to pain, so we designed our Get in the Game Without the Pain programaround avoiding common injuries like low back, neck and shoulder pain, muscle strain and tendonitis.”

Below are a few simple stretching techniques that can help prevent or reduce the impact of injuries:

Side bending stretch:

1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart.

2. Hold the golf club above your head with your arms straight.

3. Slowly bend to one side, without rotating, until you feel a stretch in the side of your back.

4. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat twice for each side.

Shoulder stretch:

1. Hold the shaft of a golf club vertically behind your back.

2. Gently pull the club up with your top hand until you feel a slight stretch in the shoulder of your lower arm. Hold for 15 seconds.

3. Gently pull the club down with your bottom hand until you feel a stretch in the top shoulder and arm

4. Hold for 15 seconds.

5. Reverse hand positions and repeat.

The program, which features a poster and an accompanying brochure, is available on the OCA website, at www.chiropractic.on.ca.

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Tags: golfing, golfing pain, golfing safety, golfing tips, Pain in golf shouldn't be par for the course

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Tips for young soccer pros

(NC)—Volleys, fakes, cut backs, offside traps: there are so many elements that make up the game of soccer. And as a young soccer pro, your child will want to learn them all.

BMO— known as the Bank of Soccer in Canada—offers a few tips that your budding sports stars, like Canadian soccer icons Christine Sinclair and Julian De Guzman, can use on the field.

Look up—Precision is the key to any good pass or shot on the net. To ensure accuracy every time, make sure you look up before you make a move. See your target, and aim.

Get some length on a throw-in—Be sure that both feet are planted firmly on the ground and face the direction of the play. Arch your back slightly, use your legs as an anchor, and throw with your entire upper body, releasing the ball over your head with your arms fully extended.

Stay goal side—When defending, position yourself between the offensive player and the goal and defend that area.

With these tips, your child will be a soccer pro in no time. Visit BMOsoccer.com for more coaching tips, plus information about the BMO Team of the Week contest, which gives soccer coaches and parents the chance to enter their team to win a $125,000 prize towards field refurbishment, a donation of $5000 to the team’s charity of choice, and a road trip to a Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Montreal Impact FC, or Canadian National Team home match.

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Tags: children's sport safety, children's sports, Tips for young soccer pros, youth soccer, youth soccer leagues

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How to be the ideal soccer parent

(NC)—Kids are already gearing up for the soccer season, and your child will be spending hours practicing corner kicks and throw-ins. So how do you, as a parent, ensure that your child gets the most out of the soccer experience once they leave the pitch?

“The best soccer players are practicing even when they’re not on the field,” says Sylvie Béliveau, the long term player development manager for the Canadian Soccer Association. “The ways to continue learning are endless and there are many ways that parents can get involved.”

The following tips from BMO Bank of Montreal—known as the Bank of Soccer in Canada—will help parents ensure their child is well on their way to being a soccer star:

• Maintain a healthy eating schedule—Balanced meals, with the right carbs and in moderation, are key things to think of before a big game. And don’t forget to keep your child hydrated.

• Get physically involved—Go to the local park or even your own backyard and practice the drills your child was working on at practice.

• Support the coach—Show support for the coach’s decisions as your child’s soccer authority figure.

• Involve the community—Get the neighbours out to games and ask the community to wear team colours.

• Don’t always place the emphasis on winning— Soccer is also about having fun.

You can visit BMOsoccer.com for more coaching tips, plus information about this year’s BMO Team of the Week contest, which gives coaches and parents the chance to enter their teams to win a $125,000 prize towards field refurbishment, a $5000 donation to the team’s charity of choice, and a road trip to a Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Montreal Impact FC, or Canadian National Team home match.

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Tags: how to be good soccer parent, How to be the ideal soccer parent, soccer, soccer mom, sports and parenting

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Youth soccer makes a difference while having fun

(NC)—With the outdoor soccer season fast approaching, the Glen Shields Sun Devils 2000 Girls Soccer Team of Vaughan, Ontario is more excited than usual, as they’re about to launch their new soccer field.

As the first winners of the BMO Team of the Week national prize, not only was the team awarded $125,000 for a field refurbishment, a donation to their favourite charity, and a trip to a Vancouver Whitecaps match, they took things up a notch and actively rallied the City of Vaughan for additional funding so that they could build a brand new pitch that will service the entire community. The new soccer facility will be set for play this spring.

“The champion title gave so much to us and because of it, we’ve grown very close,” says Tina LaRocca, manager for the Sun Devils. “These are memories the girls will never forget. The wins and the losses, they’ll forget, but the way they feel and the way this experience has shaped them, they’ll remember forever.”

Now in its second year, BMO hopes the success of the Glen Shields Sun Devils will encourage other teams across the country to participate and submit a nomination.

“The program really made a difference to this soccer team and their community|” says Sandy Bourne, vice-president of sponsorships for BMO Financial Group. “Hopefully the Sun Devils’ achievements will encourage other youth soccer teams across Canada to rise to the challenge and participate so they can have fun and make a difference at the same time.”

Launched in 2011, the BMO Team of the Week is a program dedicated to recognizing Canadian youth soccer clubs based on community involvement, passion, pride and team spirit.. This year, the program begins on April 2nd and runs through until the end of August.

Anyone can nominate a youth soccer team (ages 7 to 12) and one team will be selected as that week’s winner. The 15 finalists will then vie for the title of Champion. Visit BMOsoccer.com to enter and your nominated team could win the grand prize, which includes a $125,000 prize towards field refurbishment, $5,000 towards the team’s charity of choice, and a road trip to a Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Montreal Impact FC, or Canadian National Team home match.

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Tags: children's soccer, children's sport soccer, youth soccer, Youth soccer makes a difference while having fun, youth sports

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A parent's guide to foot health for athletic kids

(ARA) – With the Olympics approaching in July, you can expect to witness some amazing feats of athleticism this summer. But Olympic athletes won’t be the only ones competing hard in summer sports – so will your kids.

Millions of American children will participate in warm weather sports this year, from softball to soccer and swimming to cycling. No matter what their sport or whether they play competitively or just for fun, they will have one important thing in common: They’ll need their feet to be pain-free if they’re going to play their best and prevent injuries.

“Sports play a significant role in the lives of millions of young athletes,” says Dr. Michael King, a podiatrist and president of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). “Parents need to be aware that sports, which require a substantial amount of running, turning, and contact, can translate to injuries. Protecting children’s feet from injuries, and bringing them to a podiatrist when problems occur, can help keep kids in the game and make the sport more enjoyable.”

APMA offers some tips for helping protect children’s feet while playing warm weather sports:

* Protective taping of the ankles is often necessary to help prevent sprains or fractures.

* Buying a shoe designed for the specific sport your child plays not only improves your child’s performance in the sport, it also can help protect him or her from serious foot and ankle injuries. APMA has given its Seal of Acceptance to a select number of sports footwear, which offer all-leather materials and protective support.

* Without the right sock, even the best athletic shoe won’t score points-on the field or off. Athletic socks should consist of a natural/synthetic blend, which is best at wicking away moisture and minimizing foot odor. Socks should not have large seams that might cause blisters or irritation.

Commonly played warm-weather sports and the risks associated with them include:

* Basketball – Children playing basketball may be at risk for ankle sprains, tendinitis and plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the thick band of tissue on the sole of the foot). To minimize the risk of foot injury, choose a shoe with a thick, stiff sole, high ankle support and shock absorption.

* Tennis – The rapid, repetitive lateral movements and shifting of weight required of tennis players can lead to injuries such as ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis and corns or calluses. Tennis players will do best with a flexible-soled shoe that supports both sides of the foot.

* Running – Movements required of runners include leg extension and hitting the balls of the feet with a great deal of force. Running can lead to shin splints, heel pain and blisters. A good running shoe should offer good support and shock absorption. In some cases, custom orthotics may be necessary to provide additional support and control of foot motion.

* Soccer – The running, jumping and lateral movements required of soccer players can lead to many foot injuries, with heel pain and shin splints being among the most common. Soccer shoes should provide multiple cleats in the heel area and enough room for thick soccer socks.

“Sports-related foot and ankle injuries are on the rise as more children participate actively in sports,” King says. “Parents need to be vigilant to ensure children’s feet remain healthy and safe. And remember – lack of complaint by a child is not a reliable sign that everything is fine. The bones of growing feet are so flexible that they can be twisted and distorted without the child being aware of it.”

Ensuring your child’s feet stay healthy could go a long way – your young athlete could one day be the next LeBron James or Brandi Chastain. If your child participates in strenuous sports, monitor his or her foot health closely. If you suspect a problem, take your child to a podiatrist for evaluation and treatment. Find one in your area by visiting APMA’s website at www.APMA.org.

Tags: A parent's guide to foot health for athletic kids, foot health, foot health for athletic kids, kids and sports, sports safety for children

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Winterize Your Joint Health

NHL Hall-of-Famer Paul Coffey Calls the Shots on Joint Pain this Winter

(NC)—“It’s so cold! I can feel it in my joints,” is a common phrase amongst Canadians. For many, the cold winter months can mean bundling up from head to toe. But for some Canadians with joint pain, this is the time of year when their joints may be aggravated by the cold temperature. For this reason, symptoms such as pain and stiffness may be a barrier that gets in the way of enjoying the activities they love to do in the winter.

NHL Hall-of-Famer and four-time Stanley Cup champion, Paul Coffey, knows this story well. Coffey, now 50, suffers from joint pain, but is not prepared to let the aches or the weather kick him out of the game.

“Now more than ever, I try to follow a routine that includes exercise, rest and a balanced diet to help me manage my pain, so I can have a good quality of life,” said Coffey.

In addition, Coffey takes an assist from Aleve to help him break away from his joint pain, which helps him to live an active lifestyle indoors and outdoors.

“Aleve relieves my pain and helps me get through the day,” said Coffey. “It works for me, especially after coaching youth hockey, or shoveling the driveway; having up to 12 hours of relief comes in handy!”

Aleve and new Aleve Liquid Gels are conveniently available over-the-counter. With just one pill, Aleve has the strength to provide up to 12 hours of relief from joint pain. Canadians should always read and follow the label to see if Aleve is right for them, and speak to their doctor or pharmacist if they have additional questions. Visit www.aleve.ca for more information.

There are plenty of ways to manage pain and protect your joints from the cold. According to The Arthritis Society, maintaining overall health through exercise, diet and proper rest are effective ways to combat the effects of joint pain.

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Tags: NHL Hall-of-Famer Paul Coffey Calls the Shots on Joint Pain this Winter, sports injuries, sports injury tips, Winterize Your Joint Health

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Moving forward—12 tips to assist with joint pain relief

(NC)—National Hockey League (NHL) Hall-of-Famer Paul Coffey, now 50 years old, sometimes experiences joint pain in his knees, hips and lower back as a result of many years of training on and off the ice. For Coffey, and many other Canadians 50-plus, the limiting effects of joint pain and stiffness may prevent them from performing daily tasks and enjoying the activities they love to do.

“When I retired from hockey, sometimes my pain prevented me from participating in the activities I really enjoyed such as golfing and coaching youth hockey,” said Coffey. “At times, the pain I was experiencing made me feel defeated. But I soon realized that I shouldn’t let pain kick me out of the game and stop me from doing the things I love to do most.”

According to Coffey, a four-time Stanley Cup champion, you are never too young or too old to start taking care of your joints. Tips such as eating well and exercising can help Canadians break away from pain and play an important role in maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.

Don’t let your pain skate circles around you!

Here are 12 tips to assist with your joint pain relief:

1. Stick with your exercise routine—Exercise can improve overall health and help you effectively manage pain. Start with a few minutes of exercise in the morning and before bed.

2. Focus on your personal needs—Team-up with your doctor and develop a pain relief plan that’s right for you in order to put joint pain in the penalty box!

3. Proper rest is important—Daytime naps and a good night’s sleep can help to restore your energy.

4. Simplify your daily routine—Don’t over-exert yourself—proactively reduce fatigue and stress on joints by simplifying your daily tasks, chores and schedule.

5. Protect against pain—Saving energy and avoiding painful activities can help to reduce stress and defend against pain.

6. Know when your joints need rest—Recognize the signs of stress on your body and know when your joints require a break.

7. Active pain relief—Speak to your doctor about an exercise plan that doesn’t aggravate your symptoms.

8. Seek support in your daily routine—Ask family and friends for help with difficult tasks.

9. Proactively prevent joint stiffness—Avoid staying in one position for a long time to help reduce stiffness and pain in joints.

10. Maintain your overall health—A proper diet and healthy weight can help maintain your good health.

11. Knowledge is key—Keep up-to-speed with pain relief strategies and effective treatment options that can allow you to play at full-strength.

12. Take an assist from Aleve—To see if Aleve or new Aleve Liquid Gels are right for you always read and follow the product label. For more information, be sure and visit www.aleve.ca. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have further questions.

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Tags: hockey, Moving forward—12 tips to assist with joint pain relief, NHL, NHL tips, sports injury tips

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Get in the (golf) game with arthritis

(NC)—With spring on the horizon, many golf-starved Canadians will soon be making a beeline to the fairways. If you have arthritis, golf is an ideal activity. Walking between holes mobilizes joints and strengthens leg muscles without putting undue stress on knees and hips. Playing golf keeps your hips and shoulders mobile, maintains hand strength and even improves balance and coordination. But repetitive bending, twisting and swinging also puts pressure on your back, shoulders and wrists, so it’s important to take a few precautions to protect yourself from injury.

The Arthritis Society offers the following tips:

• Consult a pro. To minimize strain on muscles and joints, take a lesson or two to learn proper form. Even experienced duffers can pick up pointers.

• Condition your muscles. Exercise can reverse the age-related decline in flexibility, particularly in the back and shoulders, which predisposes people to injury. A physiotherapist can help you devise a suitable strengthening program.

• Warm up. Before hitting the links, ease the stiffness in your joints and muscles with a warm shower or heating pad. To minimize post-game discomfort, take your medication before heading to the course.

• Loosen up. Before a game, walk for a few minutes, do 10 to 15 minutes of gentle stretches and then take 10 to 15 shots on the practice range.

• Get good gear. Perimeter-weighted heads, lightweight graphite shafts and shock-absorbing gloves reduce the jolt to your joints. The same goes for low-compression balls. To lessen stress on your finger joints, you should build up club grips with epoxy tape.

• Don’t toss tees. Use tees even during practice, so you won’t accidentally whack the ground and jar your joints.

• Push, don’t pull. Push your cart (using both hands), rather than pulling it.

• Modify your putt. Learn to putt in an upright position; a longer putter may help.

• Put pain on ice. After your game, remember to apply ice or a cold pack to painful, swollen joints.

More information on living with arthritis is available online at www.arthritis.ca.

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Tags: Get in the (golf) game with arthritis, golf, golfing advice, golfing and arthritis, golfing tips

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