With 2023 coming to an end, we’re looking back at the moments and milestones that made 2023 an unforgettable year for girls, women and gender-diverse people in sport. And while there is still much work to be done, let’s pause and celebrate the hard work and accomplishments that are changing the game!
Here are a few of our favourite moments from 2023:
- Project 8 and the PWHL launching and officially bringing professional women’s leagues to Canada! …and don’t forget the WNBA exhibition game in Toronto last Spring, a clear proof point of the desire for the WNBA to come to Canada!
- Announcing the recipients of the Spotlight Grant and providing 105 organizations from across Canada with a total of $1.7M in funding for initiatives aimed at increasing opportunities for girls, women and gender-diverse people to access the benefits of sport and physical activity.
- Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC) taking bold action towards gender equity in sport with its new Women’s Sport Initiative (WSI), directing a minimum of 50% of its sponsorship dollars towards women’s professional sport by 2026.
- Releasing first-of-its-kind research for a thriving women’s professional sport market in Canada and a roadmap to get there with It’s Time: Accelerating Professional Women’s Sport in Canada, in partnership with CTC and Boston Consulting Group.
- 186 sport organizations making gender equity a priority by participating in the Same Game Challenge in 2023, proudly supported by Jumpstart.
- 90 Sport organizations in Ontario stepping up for gender equity as part of The Next Play grant program, made possible by funding from the Ontario Government.
- Cheering on Canadian athletes from coast to coast to coast, including the Canada Women’s National Soccer Team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Summer MacIntosh at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships, and Team Canada at the Billie Jean King Cup.
- Shining a light on gender equity in sport leadership with the 2023 Leadership Snapshot and celebrating women in leadership roles across Canadian sports, including Katherine Henderson, Hockey Canada’s new president and CEO.
- Inviting 80 coaches and sport leaders within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to join our latest virtual training program, In Her Corner: Girl-Centered Training for Coaches and Sport Leaders in partnership with Nike Canada.
- Gathering a group of industry leaders for a roundtable discussion on professional women’s sport in Canada with the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth.
Cheers to the milestones and moments of the past year, and to everyone who is working tirelessly to build better, safer and inclusive sport for all!
We can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store.
Have a favourite moment from 2023? Share it on social and tag us @womenandsportca.