2023 RECAP
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
We are pleased to introduce our Keynote Speakers for #OPLS2023
Dr. Dean Kriellaars
World Renowned Neuroscience and Physical Literacy Expert
"The Physical Literacy Engine"
Dr. Dean Kriellaars is an associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the College of Rehabilitation Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences University of Manitoba. He is affiliated with the Spinal Cord Research Centre, University of Manitoba and the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba. He is the Scientific Director, Center for Circus Arts Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer, Ecole Nationale de Cirque and Cirque du Soleil, Montreal. His research is directed to physical literacy for wellness, in rehabilitation as well as high performance circus and sport. He has pioneered physical literacy tools and programs that have been adopted internationally. He is the designer of the PLAY tools for physical literacy assessment and he is the original contributor to the Passport for Life tool for PHE Canada. Dr. Kriellaars has been awarded numerous Provincial National and International awards for his scientific research and innovation He is a leader and world renowned expert in physical literacy.
Drew Mitchell
Senior Director of Physical Literacy, Sport for Life Society
“The State of Physical Literacy Today”
Drew is the Senior Director of Physical Literacy for the Sport for Life Society and works as a consultant focused on the development of physical literacy at the community level and promoting the Canadian Sport for Life Movement. Drew has extensive knowledge and experience working collaboratively and passionately managing several physical literacy projects across Canada. He is a graduate of Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Drew has worked extensively in the sport system as an educator and developer of programs for the past 20 years. He managed Sport Technical and Performance Services for viaSport BC and was the Manager of Science & Medicine programs for SportMedBC where he worked with over 50 different sports at the local, provincial and national level. He is also a past member of the Canadian National Canoeing Team and the former Health & Lifestyle Coordinator at the Downtown Vancouver YMCA. Drew has been involved in sport and fitness for over 40 years as an athlete, coach, administrator, volunteer, developer and manager.
