Photo by StuSeeger via Flickr (CC)

Every year summer passes surprisingly quickly. But summer isn’t done just yet!

From September 11th to the 18th, events will be staged all across the nation for everyone to participate in the first Sports Day in Canada brought to you by CBC Sports, ParticipACTION and True Sport. You don’t need to be an athlete or a professional to take part in these events either. Whether you’re a rookie, newbie, retiree or just someone who wants to try something different, you are bound to find something that gets your sports fever going!

Canadians have been getting increasingly unhealthy over the past few years. How unhealthy? Two decades ago, sports participation rates for youth aged 15–18 were at 77 percent, and for adults, 45 perfcent. While this was not particularly high for adults (too busy driving those youths to all of their sports, probably), the participation rates have dropped dramatically.

Today, participation rates for youths are at 59 percent and for adults, 28 percent. (And no, walking up the stairs at work is not considered a sport.) But Sports Day in Canada wants to change all that for the generations to come.

During Sports Day, at locations across the country, children will be able to try a variety of sports and see if they’d like to become the next Wayne Gretzky. At FunZones, parents can learn how to get their children involved in specific sports. There will be demonstrations by local sport teams, allowing children to participate in sports right in their own local community!

For more information, check out the official Sports Day page here. You can browse all the events, where they are and also participate in the first ever Jersey Day on September 17th, where you can wear your favourite jersey, team or club uniform to work or school. But be warned, if you plan on wearing a Leafs jersey to your big meeting on that day, just make sure your boss is not a Habs or Sens fan!

Get out there Canada and play!