Infrastructure key to building sports in Nova Scotia: CEO

Brad Lawlor, CEO of Sport Nova Scotia, talks about getting more kids into athletics.

Brad Lawlor, the new CEO of Sport Nova Scotia, says the province needs new infrastructure to get more young people involved in athletics.

“Right now, I’m looking at the broader community impact we can make with infrastructure,” Lawlor told CTV News Atlantic’s Todd Battis. “We have challenges. It’s difficult to navigate.

“If we do have solid infrastructure, I do think we can produce more athletes in other sports.”

Lawlor cited canoeing and kayaking as activities with strong infrastructure that can support a deep roster of athletes. He’s hopeful other sports can receive similar attention.

“There is a ‘build it and they will come’ model,” he said. “We need municipalities and the government to look at sport as an investment, not a cost.

“If we can change that mentality, I think we’ll go far.”

Sport Nova Scotia is a non-profit organization that represents roughly 60 sport groups in the province. It aims to promote the health and personal development benefits of sports.

Lawlor, who previously served as the executive director of Baseball Nova Scotia and the CEO of Tennis Nova Scotia, was appointed as the CEO of Sport Nova Scotia in April.

Lawlor said he’s talking with the sporting community and looking for ways to make athletics more accessible to young people.

“We don’t want to be turning kids away,” he said. “There’s still a bit of work to do.

“We’re always trying to create opportunities to be active. The social connection is massive as well.”

Lawlor noted the launch of homegrown teams like the Halifax Tides can help increase interest in sports across the province.

“You have kids inspired by those athletes, some kids join because of that,” he said.

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