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SIRC articles provide evidence-based and actionable insights from sport researchers, athletes, coaches, sport organizations and thought leaders to advance sport in Canada.

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FUN MAPS: Rethinking the joy of sport

For many, sport is synonymous with fun. Its why children sign up for soccer leagues, join hockey teams, and try out for rowing clubs. But what exactly makes sport fun? And how can coaches and program leaders ensure that fun isn’t just an afterthought, but a core component of the sport experience?  Dr. Erin Sharpe,…

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Showing 1-10 of 12 Results

The unanimous choice: How a 12-year-old girl became captain of a boys’ hockey team

April 14, 2025
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Paula Baker and Jennifer Coletti
There is an assumption in sports that leadership is earned through tenure, skill, and a certain kind of presence—the intangible, ineffable quality that separates the good from the great. But every once in a while, a story emerges that challenges...

Beyond the game: The power of positive psychology in sport

April 2, 2025
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Paula Baker
In the world of elite sports, the focus has traditionally been on performance metrics, rigorous training regimens, and strategies for winning. But what if the secret to sustained success lies not just in physical prowess, but in the mind? Enter...

Superstars or a super-team? Building capacity to play like a championship team

January 8, 2025
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Taylor Matthews
What makes a winning team? Is it raw talent, star power, or an overflowing budget? Think again. The most successful teams—on the field or in the office—don’t just rely on superstars. They thrive on balance, leadership, and a collective drive...

Does Culture Really Count in Sport?

December 4, 2024
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Jennifer Walinga
For the past several years, the word culture has become a familiar buzzword across Canadian sport. Headlines about “Hockey Canada’s toxic culture”, a “culture crisis at Gymnastics Canada”, and “the culture of abuse and discrimination” in several national sport organizations...

The evolving role of coaches in athlete mental health

October 21, 2024
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Heather Wheeler
A coach’s influence  In recent years, the mental health of athletes has garnered significant attention, both on and off the global stage. With young athletes and parents talking more openly about mental health, coaches are now finding themselves at the...

The challenges of shifting to a safer sport culture: High performance coach and administrator perspectives

August 21, 2023
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Eric MacIntosh, Shannon Kerwin and Alison Doherty
Highlights High performance coaches and administrators are key stewards of a shift to safer sport In our research, coaches and administrators identified 6 challenges to culture change in high performance sport: Sport is inherently unsafe Turbulent, unstable sport environment Lack...

Effects of a learning game through understanding strategy on tactical skills and performance in team sports

July 10, 2023
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Luc
Project summary   Teaching and learning tactical skills in team sport is essential to improve performances (Grehaigne & Godbout, 2014). Player’s understanding of the game is a good indication of the learning of these skills (Memmert & Perl, 2005). Unfortunately,...

A culture change is coming in youth sport: How sport organizations can incorporate Sport for Development strategies

April 24, 2023
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Bryan Heal, Marika Warner, Luciano Lombardi
Highlights: This article draws on recent insights from the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Foundation’s Change the Culture, Change the Game report, offering practical recommendations for sport organizations and administrations looking to advance a more positive culture for youth in...

“I feel (un)safe when…”: What athletes have to say about high performance culture

July 25, 2022
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Eric MacIntosh, Shannon Kerwin and Alison Doherty
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...

Building a culture of excellence in high performance sport

July 19, 2021
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SIRC with Own the Podium
Highlights In sport, culture can determine a team’s focus and how members communicate and deal with conflict. Culture also establishes norms of acceptable behaviour and directly influences functioning and performance. Own the Podium, alongside partners the Canadian Paralympic Committee and...

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