Culture shift
The #MeToo and Time’s Up movements have permeated virtually every sector of Canadian society and mirror a culture change that is happening in sport. Safe Sport encompasses the rights for everyone to experience physical and psychological safety in the sport environment, calling for power to be used in positive ways.
Next Steps in the Safe Sport Journey: From Prevention of Harm to Optimizing Experiences
Highlights At its core, the Safe Sport movement is about optimizing the sport experience for all—athletes, coaches, sport administrators, officials, support staff, and others in the sport environment. Broader societal changes have influenced the Safe Sport movement: Changing approaches to child and youth development The #MeToo/Time’s Up movements Increased attention to equity, diversity, and inclusion …
Anti-racism on campus
An investigation by CBC Sports of key positions in Canadian university athletics departments revealed only 10% were held by BIPOC individuals. Other research has demonstrated the underrepresentation of BIPOC student-athletes in every sport and team. Learn about anti-racism efforts at the University of Toronto.
Perspectives on doping prevention
To determine the most effective means to deter doping in sport, why not ask the athletes? In new research from the University of Münster, elite German cyclists and field athletes suggested: 1) improving detection and diagnostics, and 2) increasing bans for offenders and strengthening anti-doping laws. Increased fines and leniency programs for offenders who cooperate…
Soccer balls and concussion
The average soccer player heads the ball 12 times in a game, and each header carries up to 100g acceleration – enough to cause serious brain damage. New research from Purdue University shows that deflating balls to pressures on the lower end of ranges enforced by soccer governing bodies, and replacing them when they get…
Injury concealment in rowing
Lower back pain is a common experience amongst rowers. Unfortunately, new research from Trinity College Dublin uncovered a culture of concealment of pain and injury that compelled athletes to hide their symptoms, jeopardizing their physical and mental health. Education for rowers and support staff about the benefits of early disclosure and the creation of a…
Tackling Racism on Campus
George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Regis Korchinski-Paquet and D’Andre Campbell are names of Black men and women who were killed this past year. Their tragic deaths sparked a global conversation about anti-Black racism, police brutality, white supremacy and the systemic challenges that Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) face every day. Within the…
Experts in the House – Q&A with Beckie Scott on Integrity in Sport
In this highly-anticipated SIRC webinar, Politics vs Principle: retaining integrity in sport, and why it matters, Beckie Scott discussed the importance of ethics and integrity in sport and safeguarding the rights of athletes in the face of increasing pressures to generate revenue and the expectations of International sport bodies. Below is a video recap of…
A True Sport Journey: Gymnastics Canada’s new Values-Based Coaching Module
“Build the foundation. Create champions. Inspire the nation.” Although Gymnastics Canada’s (GymCan) mission statement refers to the sport of gymnastics, it could also describe their new project with the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) to create a True Sport e-learning course for coaches. What is True Sport? If you’re involved in community sport,…
Inclusion Must Be Intentional
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “inclusion” is the action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure. True inclusion involves authentic and empowered participation and a true sense of belonging for all participants. However, if we want to be successful with inclusion, we must intentionally plan for it –…