MISSISSAUGA, ON – The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) proudly hosted the 3rd Annual National Diversity in Sports Conference on May 2–4, 2025, at the Hilton Meadowvale Mississauga. This sold-out, three-day event brought together sport leaders, advocates, and changemakers from across Canada and beyond to build community, expand knowledge, and accelerate collective efforts to foster a more inclusive and equitable amateur sport system.
About the Diversity in Sports Conference
The Diversity in Sports Conference (DISC) is ICSN’s signature annual event, uniting individuals across all levels of the sport ecosystem—from grassroots to high performance—who are committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion. The conference features dynamic speaker sessions, action-oriented workshops, and meaningful networking opportunities.
This year’s theme, “Sport for All,” underscored the importance of ensuring every identity, community, and lived experience is welcomed and reflected within Canadian sport.
A Three-Day Recap of Impact
Throughout the weekend, Arash Madani, National Sports Broadcaster, returned as DISC’s emcee for the third consecutive year, guiding conversations with clarity and energy.
Day 1 opened with a heartfelt welcome and opening remarks from ICSN Chair of the Board of Directors Tristian Reid, followed by keynote insights from Deputy Minister of Sport for Ontario, Keith Palmer, S. Kate Moore of Egale Canada on gender and sexual diversity inclusion, Martha Gumprich of Physical and Health Education Canada on nonbinary representation, and The Loyola Project team from TourCrossroads.
Day 2 began with intention-setting led by Denise McLeod, followed by a welcome from Katelyn May of Visit Mississauga. Rotational workshops featured international perspectives from Adam Cassidy (Australian Sports Commission) and Trixie Marchant (UK Sport), alongside Indigenous programs facilitators Mataya Jim and Greg Henhawk (Sport for Life) who presented on reimagining equity in sport. The day continued with a keynote from Olympic Gold Medalist Bruny Surin (Sprint Management Inc.), and a session on sport and human rights with Ige Egal (Play for Dignity).
The evening closed with a unique and fun Networking Social at The Rec Room, made possible thanks to the support of Visit Mississauga.
Day 3 featured impactful EDI programming led by Dean Smith and Brad Taylor (Nova Scotia Hockey Association) on inclusive hockey initiatives, Charlotte Prouse (Centre for Sport & Human Rights) on athlete mental health, and a systems-change case study facilitated by Dr. Sabrina Razack. Gerd Dembowski (FIFA) shared FIFA’s anti-discrimination strategy, and Sharon Bollenbach (FIFA World Cup 2026™, City of Toronto) shared on legacy-building through the World Cup. The conference concluded with powerful closing remarks from Tristan Reid, who challenged attendees with a lasting question: “Who else needs to be at this table next year?”
Empowering the Next Generation: The Emerging BIPOC Leaders Program
A cornerstone of the conference, the Emerging BIPOC Leaders (EBL) Program continued its growth in 2025, offering leadership development, tailored workshops, and networking opportunities to over 100 young leaders aged 18–26.
Workshops were led by RISE To Win facilitators Nydia Cardenas and Julia Rhodes, focusing on equity and leadership in sport. Participants also engaged in a session hosted by RBC Training Ground, featuring elite athletes Sam Effah, Pierce LePage, and Sean McColl, who shared insights on perseverance and personal development in high-performance sport. ICSN’s unique Networking Social at The Rec Room provided Emerging BIPOC Leaders with a vibrant space to connect with fellow conference attendees, exchange ideas, and build lasting relationships across the sport sector.
The ongoing success and expansion of the EBL program reflects ICSN’s deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of diverse, empowered leaders within the Canadian sport system.
Why This Work Matters
The need for systemic change in Canadian sport remains urgent. According to Statistics Canada’s recent 2025 report on Unfair treatment, racism and discrimination in community sports in Canada, 26% of individuals in athletic roles report racism and discrimination as persistent issues, where racialized participants (12%) are three times more likely to experience unfair treatment than their non-racialized counterparts (4%).
The Diversity in Sports Conference is a direct response to these challenges—creating space for critical dialogue, equipping leaders with tools for change, and driving long-term progress toward representation, equity, and justice across all levels of sport in Canada.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 conference brought together 350 sport leaders of all genders, backgrounds, and experiences—each united in their dedication to transforming sport.
As ICSN continues to grow its reach and impact, Annual National DISC remains a rallying point for those leading the charge. Together, we are redefining what inclusive sport looks like in Canada—and building a future where Sport for All is not a slogan, but a standard.
To learn more about ICSN’s programs and upcoming initiatives, visit www.inclusionincanadiansports.ca.