Gender Equity

Gendered athlete representations on social media

How athletes are portrayed on social media can influence sport participation among girls and women. An analysis of tweets during the 2018 Commonwealth Games shows that gender differences persist in athlete representations. Even seemingly neutral words, like “dedicated” and “hard...

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Gender Equity
• Sport Participation

Keeping girls in sport

Research shows that many girls leave sport when they reach adolescence. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified this trend, with 1 in 4 girls not committed to returning to their pre-pandemic sports. There are many reasons that girls leave sport, from...

• COVID-19
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Gender Equity

Supporting girls and women in hockey

In a recent survey, Quebec women identified 3 primary sources of motivation for participating in hockey: desire for self-accomplishment, enjoyment, and acquisition and mastery of new skills. When coaches and sport leaders are sensitive to these motivations and provide supportive...

• Coaching
• Gender Equity
• Sport Participation

Welcoming golf courses

Ensuring that golf courses are welcoming places, where participants feel included, is important for driving women’s golf participation. Beyond offering flexible membership options and informational packages with advice for new members, research shows that clearly marked directional signage and an...

• Gender Equity
• Recruitment and Retention
• Sport Participation

She belongs

A positive social environment has a big impact on girls’ sport participation. For many girls, a sense of social belonging enhances their performance. Girls are also motivated to stay in sport to make friends and be part of a team....

• Coaching
• Gender Equity
• Sport Participation

Family-friendly golf

Golf offers health benefits and opportunities for social connection, but the time commitment and cost of lessons, practice and memberships can be a barrier for moms with busy family schedules. Flexible opportunities, such as family-friendly events or playing fewer than 18...

• Gender Equity
• Health and Lifestyle
• Sport Participation

Lone girls in sport

If you type “lone girls in sport” into Google, you’ll find several newspaper articles and social media posts about girls creating #HERstory competing alongside boys. But on the academic front, there are few studies focused on girls who play in...

• Equity/Diversity/Inclusion
• Gender Equity
• Sport Participation

Signals versus noise: Gender equity in Canadian sport

April 22, 2022

Highlights The Government of Canada is committed to achieving gender equity in sport at all levels by 2035.Ongoing research has demonstrated the majority (over 90%) of Canada’s sport’s media coverage is focused solely on men’s sport, and that women and girls have...

• Equity/Diversity/Inclusion
• Gender Equity
• Research to Practice

Mentoring Black women coaches: Developing confidence through relationships and learning

April 22, 2022

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...

• Anti-Racism
• Coaching
• Gender Equity

Social justice in youth sport

Positive youth development and life skills have long been important in youth sports research. A new position paper from Canadian researchers suggests that these approaches need to include a social justice lens. One way of doing that is by training...

• Anti-Racism
• Equity/Diversity/Inclusion
• Gender Equity