The University of Toronto Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education is this year’s host to the KIN Games, the largest annual undergraduate kinesiology conference in Canada. Over 800 undergraduate students from 32 different schools across Canada will gather at U of T from March 15 to 18 to compete in four categories: team dance, team spirit, academics and athletics.
“It’s a very unique experience,” says Brenaven (Bren) Kugamoorthy, a third year student at KPE, who is helping to coordinate the four day event with Justin Massa, a KPE alum in his first year of a master of teaching program.
“The Games mimic the Olympics, but we’re not just focused on sports. In addition to the friendly competition, the conference is an opportunity for kinesiology students to build meaningful connections with their peers from across the country. And, it’s an opportunity to work together in a spirit of inclusivity and community building.”
The first KIN Games were organized in 2001 at U of T and have since been hosted by 16 post-secondary institutions in seven provinces. This year, participants of the KIN Games are raising funds & awareness in support of motionball, a not-for-profit organization that builds awareness and raises funds for the Special Olympics Canada Foundation (SOCF).
“KIN Games and motionball for Special Olympics have many similarities, if you think about it. Both promote inclusion, positivity, camaraderie and passion,” says Kugamoorthy.
All that was on display the first day of the conference, as team after team danced their heart out on the Kimel Family field house floor to deafening roars of: “A-MAZ-ING! A-MAZ-ING!” coming from the stands.
But in the end, there could only be one winner. After a close competition, U of T came first overall, a victory made special for being won on home turf.
Brock University is set to host the KIN Games next year.