How sport organizations and events are combating climate change
Photo credit: Denise MaxwellOrganizers of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games plant trees for a new Commonwealth Games Forest that will serve as one of the Games’ legacies. Highlights At a United Nations Conference on the role of sport in combating climate change in April 2022, conference participants noted that sport is both a casualty of and…
Current perspectives on multi-sport participation
Highlights If lifelong and healthy engagement in sport is the goal, childhood and youth participation in a variety of activities, including unstructured play, make more sense than early specialization Research shows that early specialization in sport correlates with increased likelihood of injury, burnout, and dropout Athlete development includes intersecting social, cultural, and genetic factors, thus…
“I feel (un)safe when…”: What athletes have to say about high performance culture
Highlights In this article, researchers present their findings about Canadian high performance athletes’ perspectives on safe and unsafe sport environments, as well as recommendations for changes Athletes identified coach behaviour, teammate or fellow athlete behaviour, lack of resources and an inattentive sport system as key factors contributing to unsafe sporting environments Implementing initiatives to target…
Enhancing sport and physical activity participation for Canadians with disabilities
Highlights When Jenny Davey first started working at the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) in 2014, she had no idea how much a fledgling research partnership would shape the work she does in the Paralympic sport system 8 years later. “I never would have thought, ‘well, 8 years from now, I’m going to be able to…
Indigenous ways of knowing and doing connected to physical literacy, diversity and collaboration in sport
Highlights Indigenous thought-leader Greg Henhawk discusses the synergy between traditional Indigenous knowledge and holistic approaches to physical literacy Henhawk advocates for prioritizing collaboration, rather than solely “inclusion,” when it comes to addressing differences Henhawk advises sport (and other) organizations wishing to engage Indigenous communities to prioritize developing a relationship before making any asks “Teaching was…
The Canadian sport and physical activity community identifies topics for researchers to prioritize
Highlights Adoption in practice of research findings is often sub-optimal because of a disconnect between researchers and the individuals or groups overseeing and facilitating sport and physical activity participation. To help bridge the gap between sport and physical activity research activities and the needs of those best positioned to apply those findings, we conducted a…
Data for change: Embracing demographics to advance equity in sport
Highlights The “who” is as important as the “what” when sport organizations are planning for data, analytics and evidence-based change related to equity, diversity and inclusion. When it comes to race and intersectionality, the power of data practices is its ability to help an organization better understand the realities and experiences of those too often…
Mentoring Black women coaches: Developing confidence through relationships and learning
Photo credit: Conestoga College Condors Athletics Highlights Some coaches are the “only” in their organization: the only woman, only racialized person or only racialized woman. Being the “only” relates to feelings of otherness and isolation, threatening coaches’ confidence. Social support and environmental comfort can build coach confidence. Racism and sexism in sport in Canada can…
Shaping inclusive sport policy and programs
Highlights Over the past few years, the racism and discrimination brought to light throughout society and within the sport sector have forced a necessary reflection on policies and practices. There’s a renewed urgency for sport stakeholders to adopt new policies and programs to bring about cultural change that can ensure the future of sport includes…
Why youth sport isn’t just for kids: it benefits mom too!
Highlights With approximately 75% of Canadian youth involved in organized youth sport, it’s uniquely positioned to promote mothers’ mental health and wellbeing. Youth sport offers opportunities for moms to: gain meaning through coaching and leadership experience pride and joy from observing their child compete interact with other adults and expand their social networks strengthen their family…