SIRC articles provide evidence-based and actionable insights from sport researchers, athletes, coaches, sport organizations and thought leaders to advance sport in Canada.
Unlocking potential: Building inclusive, equitable and accessible talent pathways across youth sport
Highlights: Talent identification and talent development systems “It is unacceptable that a player like Moise Bombito is not discovered until he’s 23 years old. I’ve coached some of the best centre-backs in the world and his talent level is in that category…We must find the next Moise Bombito at 15. We must know exactly who…
The signs are out there. The culture is shifting. Approximately twenty years after introducing its first concussion prevention and awareness program, Hockey Canada says it’s a very different sport landscape now. Players, parents and coaches are becoming far more knowledgeable...
Given the high-impact nature of many Para sports, concussions may seem like an inevitability. According to Dr. Andy Marshall, Chief Medical Officer of the Canadian Parapan Am and Paralympic Team, stronger data has elevated the national dialogue around this fact...
Most Canadians would not consider artistic swimming (formerly synchronized swimming) a contact sport. But ask an athlete or coach, and they will tell you it can get pretty intense. “Especially in the team events, there are athletes in very close...
Concussion is a pressing issue in sport. And few sports have been affected as acutely or as deeply as rugby. The issue has touched people in profoundly personal ways at all levels of the sport. The tragic 2013 death of...
For the athletes in this sport, the concussion risks are real even if brain injuries are rare. It may sound a bit counter-intuitive, but for Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC), concussion education has become a key part of its safety program...
Every sport organization faces tough decisions around where to channel its limited budget and human resources. “It’s no different in ringette, but we’ve found that by putting our values first, it can actually make decisions easier,” according to Natasha Johnston,...
From playgrounds to international podiums, millions of Canadians participate in sport every day. While the health and social benefits of participating in sport far outweigh any potential risks, there are risks of injury. Whether you’re a coach, administrator, parent or...
In his teens, Eric Mihalovic was a promising young hockey player. He was tough, a solid player with good hands. “I don’t think we even called the first one a concussion,” he said. “I was hit and my head bounced...
Debra Gassewitz, CEO, SIRC and Dr. Ann Pegararo, Laurentian University
This article presents a case study of how stakeholder collaborations can maximize engagement. The case is based off of a collaboration between the Sport Information Resource Centre and Dr. Ann Pegararo from Laurentian University exploring an analysis of social media...
Participation in sport can be an integral, rewarding component of life. However, sport concussions can too easily derail the benefit of both competitive and casual exercise—instances that can be avoided through proper education and preventative measures. Sport is especially advantageous...
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