Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network and Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion Announce Strategic Alliance to Advance Equity and Inclusion in Sport

The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) and the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) are proud to announce a new partnership aimed at advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion across the Canadian sport system.

Grounded in a shared commitment to building more inclusive and equitable environments, ICSN and CCDI will work collaboratively to support learning, capacity-building, and knowledge-sharing across sport organizations and communities.

This alliance will focus on co-developing and delivering educational opportunities, sharing resources and best practices, and supporting organizations in strengthening inclusive policies and practices within sport environments.

This collaboration is already underway, with CCDI’s participation as a vendor at the recent Diversity in Sport Conference (DISC) serving as an early step in bringing this partnership to life. Through this presence, both organizations are creating opportunities for engagement, knowledge-sharing, and connection with sport leaders from across the country.

As a recognized Multi-Sport Organization under Sport Canada, ICSN brings a national platform for convening leaders and advancing systems-level change in sport. CCDI contributes deep expertise in diversity and inclusion across sectors, including research, training, and organizational development.

Together, ICSN and CCDI aim to support sport leaders, organizations, and communities in moving beyond intention toward meaningful, measurable progress in equity and inclusion.

“This alliance reflects what’s possible when organizations come together with a shared commitment to advancing inclusion in sport,” said Shauna Bookal, President & CEO of ICSN. “The Future of Sport in Canada Commission’s Final Report highlights the need for sustained, collaborative approaches to inclusion. Together with CCDI, we are working to support organizations in embedding inclusive practices that are consistent, measurable, and impactful.”

“Sport has the power to shape culture, strengthen belonging, and create spaces where people feel seen, valued, and included. This alliance reflects a shared commitment to moving beyond intention and toward meaningful action that supports more equitable and inclusive experiences across the Canadian sport system. We are excited to collaborate with ICSN to help equip sport leaders and organizations with the tools, knowledge, and strategies needed to drive lasting change,” said Sartaj Sarkaria, President and CEO, CCDI.

Through this collaboration, ICSN and CCDI will continue to prioritize collective learning, shared accountability, and sustained engagement as key drivers of long-term change in sport.

About ICSN

The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) is a national not-for-profit multisport organization dedicated to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion across the Canadian amateur sport system.

About CCDI

The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) is a national charitable organization established in 2013 with the mandate of building a more inclusive Canada by advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and justice across workplaces, schools, and communities of all sizes.

Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network Reflects on Impactful Fourth Annual Diversity in Sports Conference (DISC 2026)

The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) reflects on the success of its 4th Annual Diversity in Sports Conference (DISC 2026), held from May 1–3, 2026 at the Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale.

Over the course of three days, DISC 2026 brought together leaders, athletes, coaches, researchers, and changemakers from across Canada and beyond for meaningful dialogue, shared learning, and collective reflection on the future of sport. As the conference continues to grow, so too does its impact—creating a space where critical conversations are not only encouraged, but necessary.

Throughout the weekend, award-winning journalist Arash Madani guided the conference with clarity and intention, weaving together a program that reflected both the complexity of the sport system and the urgency of the work ahead.

 

Three Days of Dialogue, Reflection, and Action

The conference opened on Friday with sessions that immediately set a thoughtful and challenging tone. Dr. Sabrina Razack and Tiffany Donaldson led a powerful discussion rooted in the global controversy surrounding Brazilian footballer Vinícius Júnior, using the moment to examine how Black joy and self-expression in sport are often reframed as provocation, while racism itself is minimized. The conversation offered a critical lens on race, media narratives, and accountability within sport.

Building on this foundation, Victoria Wicks of the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce delivered a grounded and practical session highlighting systemic gaps in Canadian grassroots sport, calling on participants to move beyond awareness and toward meaningful accountability in their work.

Friday evening shifted toward storytelling and reflection, beginning with an RBC Training Ground fireside chat featuring Olympic bobsleigh pilot Cynthia Appiah. Moderated by Arash Madani, Appiah shared her journey of resilience and self-determination, including her decision to take control of her own path in sport by learning to drive the sled herself. Her story set a powerful tone that carried throughout the conference. The evening concluded with a screening of the Tigers Skate Club documentary—spotlighting a grassroots movement creating inclusive spaces for femme-identifying and non-binary skateboarders—followed by an opening networking reception.

Saturday marked the conference’s most immersive day, with concurrent workshops and dedicated programming that allowed participants to engage deeply across a range of topics. Facilitators from ISCA and Skateistan shared community-driven approaches to working with refugee and displaced populations through sport, emphasizing trust, co-design, and lived experience. Dr. Ryan Storr of Proud2Play (Australia) introduced a research-backed “Rainbow Roadmap” for advancing LGBTIQA+ inclusion within organizations, while Archie Allison of Variety Village provided practical tools for creating accessible environments across all abilities—reinforcing that EveryBODY belongs in sport.

The Emerging BIPOC Leaders (EBL) stream offered a parallel space for growth, mentorship, and honest dialogue. Sessions led by the CO-PLAY Network, Maame De-Heer, Dakota Whyte, and Dr. Sabrina Razack explored leadership, identity, and career development within the sport sector. ICSN President & CEO Shauna Bookal joined the EBL cohort for a candid mentorship session, offering insight into leadership at the national level and encouraging emerging leaders to step confidently into their roles.

Later in the day, the full conference reconvened for a Sport for Life plenary that brought together Indigenous Ways of Knowing and newcomer-focused practices, reinforcing that conversations around equity, diversity, and inclusion are inseparable from broader human experiences. The Brock University SAIL Lab closed the day with the introduction of the READII framework—Representation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity, Inclusion, and Integration—providing a practical tool for examining bias and fostering more inclusive sport environments.

Saturday evening culminated in DISC’s signature Speed Networking Event, where participants connected across sectors in a dynamic and engaging format, extending the energy of the day into meaningful new relationships.

Sunday’s programming continued to build on this momentum. Zechariah Thomas, founder of Swift Hockey, delivered a keynote that resonated deeply with attendees, sharing an unfiltered account of building a national brand without traditional pathways or resources. His message challenged participants to move with intention, embrace identity, and create opportunity rather than wait for it.

The conference also addressed critical issues related to safe sport. Lindsay Lobb of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection led an important session on the non-consensual distribution of intimate images affecting athletes, equipping attendees with practical tools and resources to better protect and support individuals within their communities.

DISC 2026 concluded with the annual awards ceremony, celebrating leaders and organizations driving meaningful change across the sport sector. The closing luncheon and final networking moments offered space for reflection, connection, and a shared commitment to continue the work beyond the conference.

 

A Movement Beyond the Conference

While DISC 2026 marked the end of a three-day gathering, it reinforced a larger and ongoing movement.

“This conference continues to demonstrate what is possible when we create intentional spaces for honest dialogue, shared learning, and collective action,” said Shauna Bookal, President & CEO of ICSN. “DISC is not just an event—it is part of a broader effort to transform sport in Canada into a system where everyone can truly belong.”

The conversations and insights from DISC 2026 echo the calls outlined in the Final Report of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission, which emphasizes the need for sustained, coordinated efforts to address systemic barriers in sport. DISC continues to serve as a platform where these conversations are brought to life—through people, practice, and community.

 

Looking Ahead

ICSN remains committed to advancing this work through its programs and partnerships, including the Diversity in Sports Conference, Black Leaders in Sports Day, and the Emerging BIPOC Leaders program. As momentum continues to build, the focus remains on translating dialogue into action and ensuring that the impact of DISC extends far beyond the conference space.

ICSN and Sport for Life Announce Strategic Partnership to Advance Inclusive Sport and Community Impact

The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) and Sport for Life (S4L) are proud to announce a strengthened partnership aimed at advancing inclusive, accessible, and community-driven sport across Canada.

Building on a strong foundation of collaboration, ICSN and Sport for Life will work together to co-host webinars, workshops, and community-based learning opportunities, while also engaging in ongoing knowledge-sharing and project co-creation to address key priorities within the Canadian sport system.

For communities, this partnership means closer access to the knowledge, training, and tools that strengthen sport and physical activity at the local level — delivered by and for the people closest to the participants. By combining ICSN’s reach into equity-deserving communities with Sport for Life’s national infrastructure, the partnership aims to ensure that capacity flows to where it is needed most, rather than remaining concentrated within institutional networks.

This announcement builds on a history of collaboration between the two organizations. ICSN and Sport for Life have previously partnered through key national moments, including the Sport for Life Summit, where ICSN President & CEO Shauna Bookal contributed to national conversations on building inclusive sport systems. Sport for Life has also been an active contributor to ICSN’s flagship events, including the Diversity in Sport Conference (DISC) and Black Leaders in Sports Day (BLSD), as speakers, partners, and community builders.

Together, ICSN and Sport for Life are committed to strengthening this collaboration to better serve equity-deserving communities and drive meaningful change across the Canadian sport landscape.

“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to reimagining sport as a space where everyone belongs,” said Shauna Bookal, President & CEO of ICSN. “In the context of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission’s Final Report, which calls for more equitable, accessible, and accountable sport systems, collaborations like this are essential. By working together, we can amplify impact, co-create solutions, and ensure that sport systems are truly inclusive, accessible, and community-centered.”

“ICSN and Sport for Life bring together complementary strengths — their leadership in advancing equity for communities historically underrepresented in Canadian sport, and our national reach across the sport and physical activity system. This partnership is about closing the gap between policy and practice, and ensuring that federal commitments to a more equitable sport system translate into real opportunities for the communities that need them most,” said Kabir Hosein, Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives at Sport for Life.

Through this partnership, both organizations will continue to prioritize collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and community engagement as key drivers of sustainable change in sport.

 

About ICSN

The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) is a national organization dedicated to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion across the Canadian amateur sport system. Through programs, partnerships, and advocacy, ICSN works to create safe, inclusive, and accessible sport environments for all.

 

About Sport for Life

Sport for Life is a national organization that helps Canadians develop the confidence, competence, and motivation to be active for life through quality sport and physical literacy.

Rainbow Registered and Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network Announce Collaboration to Advance Inclusive Sport Systems in Canada

Rainbow Registered and the Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) are proud to announce a new collaboration. Together, we will focus on strengthening inclusive practice, accountability, and belonging for 2SLGBTQI+ individuals across the Canadian sport system.

Aligned with the 2026 Diversity in Sports Conference (DISC), this collaboration reflects a shared commitment to collective leadership and systems-level change. As a national multi-sport organization and the convener of pivotal industry events like DISC and Black Leaders in Sports Day, ICSN joins forces with Rainbow Registered to translate equity and inclusion commitments into sustained, measurable action for athletes, coaches, and sport administrators nationwide.

The collaboration brings together Rainbow Registered’s standards‑based accreditation and organisational inclusion expertise with ICSN’s national role supporting and convening the amateur sport sector. As a recognized Multi-Sport Organization under Sport Canada, ICSN brings a national platform for convening leaders, delivering education, and advancing systems-level change across sport. Together, the organisations are responding to the real and evolving needs of athletes, coaches, administrators, and community leaders navigating inclusion and belonging within increasingly complex organisational, social, and political environments.

As part of this work, Rainbow Registered and ICSN are exploring opportunities to align education, recognition, and incentives that encourage progress across different stages of organisational readiness. Initial areas of focus include collaborative learning opportunities, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and the integration of inclusion standards within sport-specific contexts. This includes examining how inclusion standards, accreditation, and sport‑specific context can work together to promote consistency, credibility, and long‑term cultural change, rather than one‑time or symbolic interventions.

“At ICSN, we believe that building inclusive sport systems requires more than intention—it requires collaboration, accountability, and sustained action. This collaboration with Rainbow Registered allows us to align our efforts and support sport organisations in moving beyond one-time commitments toward meaningful, measurable change. Together, we are working to ensure that 2SLGBTQI+ individuals feel safe, seen, and valued in sport spaces across Canada.”
— Shauna, President & CEO, Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network

“By combining Rainbow Registered’s accreditation standards with ICSN’s deep-rooted expertise in the amateur sport ecosystem, we are creating a roadmap for authentic belonging. We know that when athletes, coaches, and staff feel truly seen and safe, it transforms their mental health and well-being. Accreditation is more than a badge; it is a promise of care, ensuring that 2SLGBTQI+ identities are respected and protected in every locker room and front office across the country.”
— Victoria Wicks, Program Lead, Rainbow Registered (CQCC)

 

About the Partners

Rainbow Registered is a time-bound accreditation program that recognizes and supports businesses and organizations committed to authentic inclusion for 2SLGBTQI+ communities across Canada. Through a structured assessment process and required training, the program helps organizations build accountability, visibility, and trust.

The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) is a national not‑for‑profit multisport organisation dedicated to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion across the Canadian amateur sport system by connecting leaders, sharing knowledge, and fostering collaboration and systems change. Through initiatives such as the Diversity in Sport Conference (DISC), and Black Leaders in Sports Day (BLSD) ICSN plays a key role in convening national conversations and advancing inclusive practices across the sport sector.

Together, Rainbow Registered and ICSN affirm that progress toward inclusive sport environments is collective, grounded in shared responsibility, learning, and action.

For more information:

🌈 Rainbow Registered
https://rainbowregistered.com
rainbowregistered@queerchamber.ca

🏅 Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network
https://inclusionincanadiansports.ca
info@inclusionincanadiansports.ca