Why kids quit sports and what keeps them playing 

If you’ve ever watched a 9-year-old happily chase a soccer ball, only to see that same kid quit sports entirely by the time they reach adolescence? If so, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, this reflects a common trend in Canada, and it’s one that researcher and epidemiologist Dr. Mathieu Bélanger has been trying to unpack for…

Prioritizing masters sport in coach education

A recent study explored coach education directors’ perspectives on supporting lifelong sport participation through adult-oriented coaching development. Findings revealed a dominant focus on youth and high performance coaching, despite recognizing the unique needs of adult athletes. Based on the results of this study, there is a need to integrate Masters sport coaching into coach education…

At the crossroads of elite athlete and dad: Male athletes’ experiences navigating parenthood

There has been a longstanding perception that pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood mark the end of an elite athlete’s career in sport. Over the last few years, many researchers, advocates, and athletes themselves have gone to great lengths in challenging this inaccurate belief. We wouldn’t go as far as to say that presumptuous views of this…

Riley VanDeHogen (vand6030@mylaurier.ca) @ 06/09/2025

Sports-related concussions (SRCs) represent a significant concern in football due to their complexity, long-term impacts, and high incidence rates. An injured athlete’s return to sport primarily focuses on the physical recovery, with psychosocial influences (e.g., fear of re-injury) often being overlooked. Factors such as social pressures, sports culture, and adherence to the sport ethic can…

Barriers to growing adaptive sport

What’s stopping people with physical disabilities from staying active after rehab? This study dives into the gaps in community sport programs and reveals surprising opportunities for growth. Discover how better communication and stronger partnerships could change the game.

Training time and motivation

Does training time affect performance? This study found that while training at a preferred time didn’t significantly boost performance, it did enhance motivation and make workouts feel easier.

Supporting Indigenous athletes

Many Indigenous athletes move away from home to pursue competitive sport opportunities. This can come with many challenges including culture shock and disconnection from home. Indigenous-engaged research shows that building a social support network that spans athletes’ home and host communities and maintaining a connection to culture are important ways to foster positive experiences for…

Sport passion in athletes

An athlete’s level of commitment and passion can be influenced by many factors. National-level athletes have been shown to exhibit more obsessive passion than non-national athletes. Additionally, a strong coach-athlete relationship is positively linked to higher levels of sport passion.

Sport programs limiting crime

Can sports really help mitigate crime? This study shows that sports programs significantly reduce aggression and antisocial behaviour while boosting self-esteem and mental wellbeing, highlighting their potential as an effective tool for crime prevention.

The hidden currents of Canadian sport: A deep dive with SIRC’s new podcast 

In the world of sports, we often celebrate the visible: the gold medals, the game-winning goals, the perfect routines executed under the bright lights of competition. But beneath the surface of every athletic performance lies a complex web of forces—psychological, structural, and cultural—that shape an athlete’s journey long before they ever step into competition.  This…