Building a pandemic communications strategy must start with this one-word question

Sport organizations around the world are in crisis communications mode, trying to figure out the best ways to use new technologies and compelling content to get through the COVID-19 pandemic. While many scramble to react to the latest development, and others sit paralyzed by indecision, there are well-researched and time-tested principles that can provide sport…

A Race We Can Win: The Sports for Climate Action Framework

We all have an understandable desire to protect the things we love. I happen to love sport – and winter sports in particular. Thirty years ago I remember poring over snow depth charts from the national park where I spent as much time as possible snowboarding. Those charts showed a downward trend in snow depths,…

Aging, Physical Activity and Men’s Health

Regular, meaningful physical activity provides many benefits for older adults (Bangsbo et al., 2019). However, older men can be a particularly hard-to-reach group when it comes to public health promotion and disease prevention initiatives (Bottorff et al., 2015; Carroll et al., 2014; Smith et al., 2007). In addition to general barriers older adults face (e.g.,…

TSN Nugget Campaign

SIRC Knowledge Nuggets are now “on the air”! In partnership with Bell Media, SIRC is testing the delivery of sport research through radio ads. The pilot campaign began this week, running ads in Ottawa through TSN 1200 radio. Read SIRC’s press release for further details!

Para sport “distinction”

From a hosting perspective, a single organizing committee for major international Games, such as the Olympics and Paralympics, offers a number of organizational and functional efficiencies. However, it also presents some challenges in maintaining the “distinction” of para sport. Consider the implications for scheduling, facilities, communications and legacies in the SIRCuit.

Increasing Distinction in Para Sport Event Management

The concept of “inclusion” is pervasive in the current sport environment, with organizations from the community to international levels considering how to ensure all individuals have access and opportunity to participate. Generally, inclusion means that all people, regardless of their abilities, disabilities, or specific needs, have the right to be respected and appreciated as valuable…

Don’t Retire Kid

“Don’t Retire Kid” is a new campaign from ESPN, in partnership with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play, to address youth dropout from sport. The campaign draws attention to the causes of youth dropout – including early specialization, pressure from parents and coaches, and lack of fun. Practical resources are available from the Aspen Institute and…

Data Infographics

Harnessing data can help your organization create compelling content to share with your members and other key stakeholders. Here are two great examples: Apline Canada recently released this infographic with highlights from their 2018/2019 season. The Tour de France, which wraps up this weekend, created this infographic featuring stats about the 2019 course, riders and…

Ringette Concussion Blog

With so many stakeholders and sometimes competing priorities, alignment across the sport sector is a challenge. However, preventing and addressing concussion is one issue where alignment is common sense. From the grassroots to the high-performance levels in ringette, organizations are coming together through SIRC’s #HeadstrongCanada campaign. Learn more in today’s SIRC blog.

Marketing to Novelty Seeking Athletes

Are you trying to increase participation in a sport-related experience event, such as a loppet or gran fondo? Research published in the Journal of Sport Management, based on long distance running events, recommends two strategies to boost registration. First, turn novelty-seeking athletes into repeat customers by changing up key aspects of the race experience such…