Evaluate Internal Comms
As organizations become accustomed to working-from-home, it may be time to evaluate internal communication practices. Sport leaders should take the time to assess team and individual needs, prioritize and flex regular meetings, share facilitation duties, and be creative with social connection opportunities.
“Everesting”
Everesting is the latest fad sweeping the cycling world. The concept is easy – pick any hill, anywhere in the world, and complete repeats of it in a single activity on bike (or on foot or online), until you climb 8,848m – the equivalent height of Mount Everest. Current cycling record holders are two climbing…
Match Manipulation and Gambling in Sport

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) and McLaren Global Sport Solutions Inc. (MGSS) hosted the first-ever Symposium in Canada addressing the issues of match manipulation and gambling in sport in 2019. Following the Symposium, a White Paper was produced by CCES and MGSS titled “Match Manipulation and Gambling: A Growing Threat to Canadian…
The Digital Gamification of Youth Sport Engagement

Gamification is the use of game techniques, such as the allocation of points and rewards, to provide incentive and fuel the competitive spirit in aspects of life outside of sport (Bunchball, 2020). Examples are abundant, and include Points Days at Shoppers Drug Mart, using an Aeroplan credit card to earn travel miles, or opening a…
Virtual Volunteering in Community Sport

As community sport clubs begin their return to play phases, the short and long-term impacts of COVID-19 – on the field and in the office – are unmistakable. Physical distancing measures and stay-at-home protocols have illuminated how technology can keep people connected and involved in their local communities. These new ways of working provide an…
Esport Fans
Esports (competitive professional video gaming) is a rapidly growing industry, with an estimated global audience of 335 million people in 2017, including 143 million active in-person spectators. But what attracts fans to attend live esport events? In contrast to the limitations of watching events online, live experiences provide fans with enhanced opportunities for social interaction.
Wearable Tech
New ultrathin, breathable electronic material is paving the way for more functional wearable technology, with applications for everything from online gaming to medical monitoring. With preliminary results comparable to electrodes attached to the skin, the gas permeable material allows sweat to evaporate away from the skin, making it more comfortable for long-term use.
Experts in the House – Q&A with Warren Weeks on Social Media

On May 13, SIRC hosted a webinar – Stop Pushing and Start Engaging! – led by social media expert Warren Weeks, designed to help participants rethink their social media engagement strategies. With audiences spending more time online due to the pandemic, sport and physical activity organizations have an opportunity to build their audience and engage…
Principles of Crisis Communication
Looking to refine your communication strategy in the current circumstances? Keep in mind four principles for crisis communication: 1. Empathize; 2. Focus on action; 3, Keep it simple; and 4. The medium is the message. Learn more in the SIRC blog.
COVID Communication Fatigue: Before you add another online meeting, stop and reconsider

As the COVID-19 crisis continues, complaints of meeting fatigue are on the rise. Have you found your day filled with back-to-back Zoom calls, where you stare blankly at the poorly lit face of a colleague on the computer screen, as s/he provides a daily update, or report? “I hop from Zoom call to Zoom call…