Breaking Ice: Connecting Indigenous Culture and Sport Through Blind Hockey
In partnership with Canadian Blind Hockey June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to reflect on the strength, resilience, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. It’s also a time to acknowledge the gaps that still exist, particularly in areas like sport, where Indigenous youth, especially those with disabilities, continue to face…
Socioeconomic status and sport participation
Socioeconomic status can greatly influence sport participation. For example, a study of more than 1000 youth showed that kids from less affluent families tried fewer sports, had lower rates of overall sports participation, and were less physically active. Reducing common barriers, such as providing affordable sport programs and transportation options, may help to make sport…
Supporting racialized student athletes
Racialized student athletes may experience higher levels of poor mental health. A recent consensus seeking process undertaken among NCAA student athletes, educators, administrators, and health professionals identified 42 strategies for higher education institutions to address the mental health needs of racialized student athletes. Examples include having clear pathways to report discrimination, having diversity in sports…
Deaf sport isn’t just white: Telling a colourful story
The first time I stepped onto the field as a deaf athlete, I was not just competing. I felt like I belonged. I felt connected to the deaf community around me. The beauty of sign language had value and there was a tangible sense of family. But belonging is complicated when people only see us,…
Climbing without limits: One athlete’s blind pursuit of new heights in adaptive sport
There is a moment in every athlete’s life when they face trials and tribulations. For Chaz Misuraca, that moment did not come in the form of an opponent or a grueling training session, but in the slow, inevitable loss of his sight. The world of sport, once familiar, became an enigma, a puzzle that required…
Immigration, integration, and intersectoral partnership: A critical examination of introductory winter sport programmes for newcomers to Canada
Leveraging Parasport Events for Sustainable Community Participation
Prospective Examination of Special Olympics Sport Retention in Ontario – Infographic
Move Her Mind: Creating Inclusive Spaces for Women and Girls
The more we move, the better we feel. In 2022 a global study commissioned by sportswear company ASICS, The State of Mind Index, studied people’s physical activity levels and mental wellbeing across the globe. In their first Move Every Mind Report, not only did ASICS learn that physical activity has a powerful impact on our…
Faith on Ice: How Canadian Coaches Can Support Muslim Athletes During Ramadan
This article was originally published in the Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy. Introduction As Canada transitions from the chill of winter to the gentle warmth of spring, Muslim athletes across the province are preparing for Ramadan, one of the most sacred and reflective periods in the Islamic calendar. Marked by fasting, prayer, and self-reflection, Ramadan influences…