Canadian Women & Sport
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| Canadian Women & Sport | |
|---|---|
| Name | Canadian Women & Sport |
| Formation | 1974 (as Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity); rebranded 2017 |
| Type | Non-profit, national sport organization |
| Headquarters | Ottawa, Ontario |
| Region served | Canada |
Canadian Women & Sport is a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to advancing participation, leadership, and equity for women and girls in sport. Founded through advocacy and program development, the organization works with national and provincial sport bodies, educational institutions, and corporate partners to address barriers faced by female athletes, coaches, and administrators. Its work spans community programming, research, policy advising, and campaigns to increase representation in high-performance sport and grassroots participation.
History
The organization traces roots to movements and milestones including the 1970s women's sport activism, the 1976 Canada Summer Games, the influence of figures like Sylvia Fedoruk in sport science, and policy shifts following the Royal Commission on the Status of Women and federal initiatives such as Sport Canada. Early decades involved connections to organizations like the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity and collaborations with the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Commonwealth Games Canada, and provincial bodies including Sport Nova Scotia and Sport Manitoba. Over time it intersected with high-profile athletes and administrators such as Nancy Greene and Caroline Brunet, responding to broader events including the 1984 Summer Olympics and the evolution of gender equity law influenced by cases cited before the Supreme Court of Canada. Rebranding in 2017 aligned the organization with contemporary movements spotlighting athletes like Christine Sinclair, Chantal Petitclerc, Clara Hughes, and advocates from indigenous and Francophone communities such as Wanda Thomas Bernard and Phil Fontaine-era reconciliation contexts.
Mission and Programs
The stated mission links to initiatives addressing leadership pipelines, safe sport, and access, working with partners like the Canadian Sport Institute network, the Coaching Association of Canada, and provincial organizations such as Sport Manitoba and Alberta Sport Connection. Programs include leadership academies inspired by models used by the Canadian Olympic Committee and mentorship programs reminiscent of approaches used by Own the Podium and Brock University sport departments. Delivery partners have included the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, the University of British Columbia sport science faculties, and community organizations including Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and Girl Guides of Canada. Program outcomes reference role models such as Hayley Wickenheiser, Kerri Einarson, Mikaël Kingsbury, Eugenie Bouchard, and Jennifer Jones in promotional and recruitment materials.
Advocacy and Policy Impact
Advocacy efforts have engaged with federal policy instruments like Sport Canada funding frameworks, the Canadian Multiculturalism Act contexts, and the policy priorities of the Department of Canadian Heritage. The organization has provided submissions and advisory input to bodies such as the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, and provincial ministries including Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. It has influenced policy dialogues around coaching certification with the Coaching Association of Canada, athlete safeguarding with Safe Sport Canada, and equity metrics used by institutions like the University of Toronto and McGill University. Advocacy has intersected with athlete-led movements referencing names such as Bronwen Knox, Meaghan Mikkelson, Elvis Stojko, and legal frameworks including case law from the Supreme Court of Canada that shape inclusion.
Partnerships and Funding
Funding and partnerships draw from national donors, corporate sponsors, and public grants involving partners like the Canadian Tire Corporation, the Royal Bank of Canada, and foundations such as the Bonnie & John Crean Foundation and the True Sport Foundation. Institutional collaborators include the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and provincial sport organizations like Sport Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan Games Council. Research and program delivery have been supported by academic partners such as University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa, and York University, and philanthropic connections with organizations like the Laidlaw Foundation and the Mawenzi Capital network.
Research and Publications
The organization produces research reports, toolkits, and benchmarking studies in partnership with academics and institutes including Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, the Terry Fox Research Institute-adjacent projects, and university collaborators such as McMaster University and Queen's University. Publications have covered topics connected to participation trends observed at events like the Pan American Games, gender representation studies referencing the Commonwealth Games, and safe sport practices influenced by international models from the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee. Research outputs inform coaches, administrators, and policy makers including staff at the Coaching Association of Canada and the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario.
Notable Initiatives and Campaigns
Campaigns and initiatives include leadership development programs, awareness campaigns featuring athletes such as Christine Sinclair, Catriona Le May Doan, Tessa Virtue, Kaillie Humphries, Brittany Phelan, and Alexandra Paul, and the roll-out of safe sport resources aligned with Safe Sport International principles. National campaigns have referenced international events like the Winter Olympics and the Summer Olympics to amplify messages, and collaborations with media partners such as the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and TSN have highlighted athlete stories and participation drives.
Awards and Recognition
The organization presents awards and recognition programs celebrating coaches, leaders, and grassroots innovators. Award recipients often include notable Canadians across sport and advocacy such as Sylvie Bernier, Rick Hansen-associated initiatives, Keltie Duggan, Donna Vakalis, and community leaders recognized alongside institutions like the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame and the Order of Canada honourees. National recognition has also come via partnerships with corporate sponsors and ceremonial events tied to major multisport gatherings including the Canada Games and the Pan American Games.