Sexuality and maltreatment in sport

With nearly 40% of LGBTQ+ athletes reporting experiencing sports-related mistreatment, it is important to look into ways to increase acceptance and diversity in the sporting world. A recent study examines the relationships between adults’ sexuality, sports-related mistreatment, and sports involvement. The study’s findings suggest that more action is necessary to reduce prejudice and to provide…

Pioneering change: Inside Canada Basketball’s EDI Committee for officiating

SIRC’s Paula Baker sat down and interviewed the Canada Basketball team spearheading the organizations EDI strategies and advancement to share their innovations. In recent years, Canada Basketball has embarked on a transformative journey towards equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), reflecting a commitment that goes beyond the court. The genesis of this journey began a few…

Sport inclusion

Sport should be an inclusive space for all, which is why it is important that all people feel included regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and beyond. A recent study highlights elevated levels of mistreatment to individuals who identify as a sexual minority and offers important contributions to understanding sexuality, sports-related mistreatment, and adults’…

Safer spaces for Black women coaches

Creating safer spaces to promote belonging and community, particularly among Black women, helps address feelings of isolation and otherness. Offering opportunities for knowledge exchange can prevent the loss of notable talent and stimulate peak performance and retention. Safer spaces, sponsorships and platforms for dialogue all help promote diverse and equitable coaching spaces.

Barriers to sport participation

There are many reasons cited for the lack of participation in sports by Canadians. According to Statistics Canada, a common barrier was the cost of participation, reported by 11% of people who did not play sports. Koreans (20%), West Asians (20%), and Latin Americans (17%) were nearly twice as likely as non-racialized Canadians (10%) to…

The power of mentoring in sports: Who, what, and how? 

Mentorship is a powerful resource with the potential to positively influence the growth and success of people in sport. Mentoring is a relationship where one or multiple mentors (i.e., a senior person in age or experience) provide guidance and support to one or more mentees (i.e., individuals seeking new knowledge and experience) to improve career…

Supporting racialized young women athletes in Canada

Research on racialized young women athletes in Canada reveals that they encounter hurdles due to their intersecting identities and discrimination. Embracing diversity and acknowledging their various identities are essential to enhance their sports experiences. It is imperative that sports organizations revamp their approaches to better support these athletes by combating discrimination and stereotypes while advocating…

Quality over quantity

Positive experiences, such as belonging and mastery in sports and exercise, have a greater impact on the well-being of adults with physical disabilities than their time spent in sport. This study highlighted the importance of creating inclusive, engaging environments and considering social and environmental factors for holistic well-being enhancement in this population

Mentorship for women coaches

Mentorship in coaching is a process where experienced coaches act as role models and teachers for new coaches to support their personal and professional development. Running mentorship programs for women coaches can be very beneficial. However, it is important to purposefully recruit mentorship participants. Canadian research suggests that programs should consider using flexible recruitment strategies…

Sport and belonging Special Olympics

To better understand belonging through sport in individuals with intellectual disabilities, the Sport and Belonging team interviewed twenty Special Olympics athletes and identified three themes that the athletes spoke to: (1) support from allies, (2) being part of the team, and (3) opportunities to discover and develop interests.