The 17th annual Sport Canada Research Initiative (SCRI) Conference, the country’s leading sport participation research conference, returned in a hybrid format for 2023!
On October 26 and 27, we were excited to be hosting an in-person event at the Ottawa Conference and Event Centre in Ottawa, Ontario with a virtual participation option on Zoom. Attendees had the choice to participate in a way that best suits their needs, and we were committed to delivering a top-notch experience for everyone involved. Whether you chose to join us in-person or online, we enjoyed connecting with you and sharing the latest developments and insights in sports research.
The theme of the 2023 SCRI Conference was “Making Sport Better Together.” We know that collaboration is vital to a thriving sport system, and we were thrilled to connect with you about collective opportunities to advance sport participation in Canada. The SCRI network of well-respected researchers, keynote speakers and panelists brought into focus the challenges faced by all corners of sport today and put a spotlight on opportunities for action.
At SCRI, people working, playing and volunteering at all levels of sport, from community clubs to national sport organizations, came together with sport researchers and policymakers to share knowledge and make new connections. The conference format was designed to foster collaboration and engagement. This year’s agenda featured engaging plenary and keynote presentations, interactive panel discussions, and hands-on networking events, including a Paris Olympic and Paralympic themed social hour and hands-on workshop focused on Advancing Research Partnerships in Sport.
Suffering in silence: Men’s and boys’ mental health are still overlooked in sport
For men and boys, caring about sport typically conjures images of passionate competition and fighting for the win. This understanding of care leaves little room for self-care, health and safety, and emotional vulnerability — topics that are fraught with risks for boys and men in a sport culture of hypermasculinity. The National Hockey League Players’ Association recently released its First Line Program to support player mental health. It signals that men’s hockey is finally acknowledging the long-known fact that “a hockey player struggling with […]