Physical Literacy Community Leader: Tobi
July 8, 2026
Physical Literacy NB and She is Active are excited to present our new Physical Literacy Community Leader series!
This series will showcase women from across the province who are making a difference in their communities through physical literacy and play. Our first profile features Tobi from Physical Literacy for Communities in Miramichi – read more about the program and her story below!
Know a woman leader in physical literacy who deserves to be recognized? Reach out to marsenault@recreationnb.ca.
About PL4C
I am a Group Fitness Instructor who has been leading classes for over twenty years. In June of 2022, I received an email from a colleague asking if I might be interested in getting involved in a new initiative that was being piloted in our region. It was called Physical Literacy for Communities (PL4C). I loved the idea of improving physical activity through a different approach and agreed to be the Community Mentor.
During the first few years of working of PL4C Miramichi, we were focused on training and taking the time to fully understand all the parts of Physical Literacy. I spent hours each week doing online meetings, webinars and trainings. In September of 2024, we finally began putting all that knowledge to use and have been offering wonderful programs ever since! We have been working hard to achieve the vision of creating active, healthy communities that support physical literacy, life-long physical activity, and improved health and well-being for all.
What has been your biggest success or proudest moment so far?
I would have to say that the PL4C Family PLAY (Physical Literacy and You) Program has been our biggest success and the most meaningful to me. The PL4C Family PLAY Program is a FREE weekly program designed to teach participants physical literacy skills while also focusing on connection, inclusion and creating a sense of belonging for hard-to-reach and under-represented children and their families in Miramichi. Each of the weeks has a theme such as hopping, running, jumping and balance and starts with a short lesson/demo. The children are then divided into groups to play and work on the skill taught. Parents are encouraged to participate, but they may also choose to observe or enjoy a conversation with another parent. The group comes together at the end of the hour session for a stretch and to enjoy a healthy snack.
Over 100 families from diverse backgrounds have participated in the PL4C Family PLAY Program, and all parents/caregivers, children and volunteers received a PL4C t-shirt. Each week, we had at least one facilitator and one or two volunteers. These volunteers have come from the PL4C Partner Table, the Chatham Daycare, the Miramichi Regional Service Commission and the community. Partnership has also come in the form of borrowing equipment from Gretna Green Elementary, Be Alive Network and the Chatham Public Library. It was truly a collaborative, community project!
I think I was most proud when the PL4C Miramichi 2026 Action Plan was completed, and we had so many meaningful projects ready to deliver. After a few years of learning and researching, we were making progress!
How does your initiative help girls and women build confidence, competence, motivation, or enjoyment through movement and physical activity?
Originally, PL4C Miramichi was targeting children aged 2-18 in our community. We are now working to expand this to all age groups in the Greater Miramichi Region. I believe that participants of our programs have benefited in many ways. So many first-time experiences – the first time trying a group fitness class, the first time playing with musical instruments, the first time throwing a ball or the first-time meeting friends from a new country. It is so amazing to witness people overcome their fears and develop skills they didn’t know were possible.
The Group Fit with PL4C fitness classes are primarily attended by women and are led by two female instructors. One of the instructors recently received her training through PL4C funding and is becoming a wonderful fitness leader. The class participants range from adolescents to older adults, many of whom have never exercised in a group before. One week, a young mom brought her 13-month-old daughter in a baby chest carrier and did the whole 45-minute workout like this! She shared with the group that she didn’t have a babysitter but didn’t want to miss the class. It was inspiring for everyone!
What does physical literacy mean to you?
To me, physical literacy means never missing out on the joy of life. It means being able to say yes to any physical activity opportunity that may come your way. Do you want to go for a hike? Yes! Are you up for a round of golf? Yes! Do you want to go swimming with your grandkids? Yes! Even if there is an activity that you haven’t tried, you have the confidence to give it a shot.
Why do you believe physical literacy is important for girls and women?
I believe that if a girl feels strong in her body, she will make the best decisions for herself. Having confidence in yourself physically translates into other areas of your life. My 24-year-old daughter moved to Toronto after graduating from university, traveled to Australia and many other places all on her own. I fully believe that her many years of playing sport and being active gave her the confidence to chase her dreams.
What inspired you to become involved in community sport, recreation, or physical activity?
Growing up in Loggieville, NB there were four classrooms in our elementary school. We didn’t have a library, a cafeteria or a gymnasium. What we did have were four caring teachers who believed in teaching us how to read and write but also how to leave our small village with the skills to lead productive and fulfilling lives. Each day we played outside, walked to the local recreation center for our gym class and on good days, we got to grab our ball gloves and head to the school yard for a serious game of softball! We were exposed to every sport and moving our bodies was just a normal way of life. In grades five and six we were required to do ‘entertainment’ every Friday afternoon. There was a schedule and when it was your turn, you had to perform for your class. My twin sister and two best friends always made-up dances. This was my first experience with group fitness and what led me to becoming an instructor!
Advice for communities and participants?
With PL4C, we are striving to create durable kids and members of our community. We want to see the healthy choice be the easy choice. We work to make recreation environments accessible, fitness classes affordable and sporting options available to all. I would encourage everyone, but specifically girls and women, to keep trying activities until they find something that they enjoy. Moving our bodies is a privilege, and when we look at it as something we ‘get to do’ rather than ‘have to do,’ it becomes part of a joyful life!
