May 7, 2024 – Winnipeg MB – Sport Manitoba held its first free Safe Sport Summit titled Building a Safer and Stronger Sport Culture this past weekend, bringing together sport administrators, coaches, parents, officials, athletes, and volunteers from across Manitoba in an effort to establish a safe and sustainable sport culture.
 
The Summit provided an important opportunity for participants to learn from others, discuss current topics, and ensure leaders in the province’s sport system have the knowledge and the tools to provide quality sport experiences to all Manitobans.

The event spanned over two days — a town hall-style evening with a keynote speech from safe sport advocate and founder of Generation Safe, Allison Forsyth (image below), followed by a workshop-style event on Saturday morning, including an address from the Honourable Glen Simard, Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism. View Saturday’s agenda in more detail here.
 

Leading up to the Summit, Sport Manitoba held three free webinars in April. The webinars were led by Allison Forsyth and provided an introduction to safe sport topics designed for different audiences: provincial and community sport organizations, coaches and officials, and athletes and parents. Forsyth, being a two-time Olympian and eight-time National Champion (alpine skiing), offered a unique and critical perspective as a survivor of sexual abuse in the sport system.

These events represent a shared vision for a safer and more inclusive sport community, empowering stakeholders to champion safe sport across the province.

“These initiatives play a crucial role in fostering an environment where individuals can thrive in sport – one that is built on principles of respect, safety, and inclusion. By providing education, guidance, and support, together with our sport partners, we’re helping empower Manitobans to collectively create a culture that prioritizes the well-being of participants. We are thankful for the support from the Province of Manitoba, the collaboration with Generation Safe, True Sport, and Sport Law to make these initiatives possible, and for the active participation from all who attended,” shared Janet McMahon, President & CEO of Sport Manitoba.

About

Sport Manitoba is a not-for-profit organization and the lead planning, programming and funding agency for the development of amateur sport in Manitoba. Located at 145 Pacific Avenue in Winnipeg, Sport Manitoba partners with over 100 organizations to deliver sport in the province and is responsible for programs including the Manitoba Games powered by Manitoba Hydro, Sport Manitoba Coaching, Team Manitoba, Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, Fit Kids Healthy Kids, and KidSport. Services provided include the Sport Manitoba Clinic, Sport Manitoba Performance, Sport Manitoba Fitness Centre, and the Paul Robson Resource Centre for Leadership and Coaching. Safe Sport Line: 1-833-656-SAFE (7233) 

For more information please contact:

Sam Cortes
Communications Manager
Sport Manitoba
204-290-7630
sam.cortes@sportmanitoba.ca