Virtual Volunteering

Virtual volunteering is a novel way to engage volunteers during persisting COVID-19 restrictions, but it doesn’t need to stop post-pandemic. Online opportunities can help sport organizations build their pool of volunteers, attract volunteers with diverse skill sets, and become a more flexible and inclusive organization.

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 –…

A sport-based critical hours program for low-income youth

Project Summary  This program of research addressed three important issues faced by Canadian children; the problem of low physical activity, the need to increase sport participation, and the absence of programming during the ‘critical hours’ after-school period (see Active Health Kids Canada, 2012 Report Card for a review). It is particularly important to offer critical…

Inclusive Return to Play

With return to play top of mind for many sport organizations, it’s important to remember that no one should be left out. Developing an inclusive return to play plan (that, for example, considers the needs of persons with disabilities) is crucial for ensuring that all Canadians have safe and equitable access to sport and recreation…

Tai Chi (TC) for older adults: Improving physical and psychological health and identifying and overcoming cultural/ethnic barriers to participation

Project Summary Tai Chi (TC), a traditional Chinese exercise, has been shown to have several health benefits. In general, TC is a widely practiced, well received exercise in large populations in China. Such generally positive attitudes towards the exercise result from a long history of practice in Chinese culture. The current literature has identified some…

A promising community-based hip-hop dance intervention for the promotion of psychosocial and physical well-being among youth living in a disadvantaged neighbourhood

Project Summary This project involved a partnership between the University of Ottawa and three community partners: South-East Ottawa Community Health Centre (SEOCHC), Culture Shock Canada, and Heron Road Community Centre. Prior to implementing a new physical activity program in South-East Ottawa, an initial study sought to better understand the needs, barriers, and facilitators to youth…

National Accessibility Week 2020

It’s National Accessibility Week! Engaging athletes with a disability is about more than access: it is about meaningful activities that provide participants with feelings of belonging, choice, challenge and success. For this reason, researchers from the Canadian Disability Participation Project developed the Blueprint for Building Quality Experiences in Sport for Children, Youth, and Adults with…

Egale’s Guide to International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia for Sport Organizations

As Canada continues to adapt to new ways of connecting while practicing physical isolation, we must not forget the importance of days like the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOTB), a worldwide celebration of sexual and gender diversities marked annually on May 17th. Now, more than ever, we must be vigilant in ending…

Combating social exclusion in sport and recreation through participatory policy development

Project Summary The purpose of this study was to examine how experiences with physical activity for recent immigrant Chinese women living in Vancouver can inform Canadian sport and recreation policy at the local, provincial, and national levels to increase their participation. The Chinese population is the largest ‘visible minority’ group’ in Canada, yet little is…

A framework for creating a campus culture of compassion: A participatory action research approach to equality

Project Summary This dissertation united key stakeholders from the University of Guelph community in order to examine issues around accessibility and inclusion of students with disabilities in campus recreation and sport opportunities. The research team included representatives from the University of Guelph’s Centre for Students with Disabilities and the Department of Athletics, an undergraduate student…