Official Launch of the Play Fair: Anti-Racism in Sport Toolkit and Kickoff of Lunch & Learn Series

Toronto, ON – September 26, 2024 – The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) is thrilled to announce the official launch of the Play Fair: Anti-Racism in Sport Toolkit, now available for free download to all sports organizations, athletes, coaches, and individuals committed to fostering an inclusive environment for sport and play. In conjunction with this launch, ICSN has begun its Lunch & Learn series, aimed at providing further insights and discussions on anti-racism in sport to National, Provincial & Territorial, Multi-Sport Organizations, Municipalities, Grassroot Sport and Third-Party Sport Organizations.

The Play Fair Toolkit is a comprehensive resource designed to combat racism within the sports community. It equips users with practical strategies, educational materials, and actionable steps to help identify and dismantle racist practices. By fostering awareness and promoting dialogue, this toolkit is essential for creating a more equitable and inclusive sport culture across Canada.

“Our vision is for every individual in sports to feel welcomed and valued, and the Play Fair Toolkit is a powerful step toward achieving that,” said Shauna Bookal, President of ICSN. “We encourage sport organizations to utilize these resources and engage in our Lunch & Learn series to deepen their understanding of anti-racism efforts within their communities.”

The Play Fair Toolkit includes a variety of resources to support organizations in their anti-racism efforts. These tools are designed to empower organizations to take actionable steps toward creating inclusive environments. Some examples are:

  • Anti-Racism Tools and Resources
  • 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion Tools and Resourcesx
  • Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation Tools and Resources
  • Organization Self-Assessment
  • Anti-Racism Action Plan and Policy Templates
  • Inclusion and Belonging Survey
  • Government Resources and Key Historical Facts about Anti-Black Racism in Canada

The Lunch & Learn series will feature expert facilitators and interactive discussions focusing on creating tangible solutions for diversity and inclusion in Canadian sport organizations. The sessions aim to support these organizations on educating and implementing strategies that will lead to positive change in the amateur sport community.

The Play Fair Toolkit was created in collaboration with a diverse group of experts and athletes who have firsthand experience with racism, including ICSN’s dedicated team: Dr. Clare Warner, Lysa Lowe, Moji Akande, Daria Jorquera Palmer, Laura McPhie, Mohamed Hassan, Danne Diamond, and Chris Mosier, along with our advisory committee. To learn more about the team behind the toolkit, click here.

The development of the Play Fair Toolkit was made possible through the Sport Support Program’s Gender Equity – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion component, funded by Sport Canada.

To learn more and download the Play Fair: Anti-Racism in Sport Toolkit, please visit playfairtoolkit.ca or contact Lysa Lowe at toolkit@inclusionincanadiansports.ca.

About ICSN:

The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN), formerly known as The Black Canadian Coaches Association (BCCA), is a Black-led organization dedicated to empowering Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) within the Canadian amateur sports community. Our mission focuses on celebration, advocacy through allyship, and networking, with a vision to cultivate a more racially diverse and inclusive Canadian sports landscape.

Toolkit Contact:

Lysa Lowe – ICSN Programs and Operations Manager

Email: toolkit@inclusionincanadiansports.ca

Launch of “Play Fair” A Groundbreaking Anti-Racism in Sports Toolkit

Toronto, ON – July 23th, 2024 – The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) is excited to announce the upcoming launch of “Play Fair”: An Anti-Racism in Sports Toolkit. This comprehensive resource is designed to address and combat racism within the sports community. Set to be released in the fall, this toolkit aims to foster an inclusive and equitable environment for athletes, coaches, and sports organizations across Canada.

The “Play Fair” Toolkit provides practical strategies, educational resources, and actionable steps to help sports organizations, teams, and individuals recognize and eliminate racist practices and attitudes. This toolkit is a crucial step towards promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in sports at all levels.

“We believe that sports should be a space where everyone feels welcome and valued,” said Shauna Bookal, President of ICSN. “The ‘Play Fair’ Toolkit is designed to empower those within the sports landscape to take proactive steps towards creating a more inclusive environment. We are committed to driving change and promoting equity in all aspects of sports,” added Bookal.

The development of this toolkit involves collaboration with experts in diversity and inclusion, athletes who have experienced racism firsthand, and sports organizations committed to change.

The “Play Fair”: An Anti-Racism in Sport Toolkit was funded by the Sport Support Program’s Gender Equity – Equity, Diversity Inclusion component through Sport Canada.

For more information about, Play Fair: An Anti-Racism in Sports Toolkit, and to learn more about the next steps, please email Lysa Lowe at: toolkit@inclusionincanadiansports.ca

ICSN is happy to announce that The Inclusion in Sports Webinar series is officially open for registration!

We’re a collaborative effort by ICSN, RISE, and Transathlete.com, dedicated to supporting administrators and student-athletes in fostering inclusivity within post-secondary athletic programs. 

The webinars featuring RISE and Transathlete.com will be tailored for Sport Administrators within Post Secondary Athletics across Canada. There will be webinars specifically designed for Emerging BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Colour), aged 18 years old-30 years old

A ticket will include access to all Transathlete.com and RISE sessions for one Administrator and Access to all sessions for an emerging BIPOC Leader. This package will also include a ticket to the 3rd Annual Diversity in Sports Conference in 2025, for both respective parties.

For more Information visit our programs page website.

ICSN would not be able to make this possible without the funding provided by Sport Canada through the Sport Support Program’s Gender – Equity & Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion component.

BSB Summer Series is BACK! 

This Thursday June 27th the BSB Summer Series is back at Stackt Market.

If you haven’t got your tickets yet, get your tickets here.

See you there!

Sport Canada and Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) Announce Multi-year Funding Partnership

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity of Canada, Keynote Speakers at the 2nd Annual Diversity in Sports Conference.

[The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity of Canada, Keynote Speakers at the 2nd Annual Diversity in Sports Conference.]

 

Toronto, ON: Today, Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) announced that the
organization has received $820,500 in a multi-year funding from the Sport Support Program’s
Gender Equity – Equity, Diversity Inclusion component.

The funding aims to support Gender Equity in Sport as well as fund Diversity in Sports to
breakdown barriers for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC). Funding will be used to support the Diversity in Sports Conference, the Emerging BIPOC Leaders program, and the Anti-Racism in Sport Toolkit that will be released in Fall 2024.

“Sport in Canada needs to look like Canada. Our government is proud to invest in the efforts of the Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network, which advances equal opportunities for everyone in sport. The organization’s leadership in anti-racism and diversity initiatives in this space is essential and helps pave the way for more communities across the country to see themselves represented in sport. Because of this work, we can build a safer, more inclusive and more welcoming sport system here in Canada,” said the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity.

Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN), formally known as The Black Canadian Coaches Association (BCCA) is a Black-led organization committed to the empowerment of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) within the Canadian amateur sports community. Our mission revolves around three core objectives: celebration, advocacy through allyship, and networking.

Our vision is to cultivate a more racially diverse and inclusive Canadian amateur sports
landscape by creating pathways to increase the representation of BIPOC Canadian coaches, officials, sport administrators, and support staff. We achieve this through communication, education, professional development, sharing job opportunities, and nurturing resiliency skills.

For further information please contact:
Shauna Bookal, President

Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network
president@inclusionincanadiansports.ca

About the ParticipACTION Community Challenge presented by Novo Nordisk

The ParticipACTION Community Challenge presented by Novo Nordisk returns this year to help everyone enjoy the many physical, social and mental health benefits of getting active together!

The Community Challenge is a national physical activity and sport initiative that encourages everyone in Canada to get active throughout June in search of Canada’s Most Active Community. The challenge is open to all communities and individuals, ultimately recognizing Canada’s Most Active Community and awarding it with $100,000 to support local physical activity and sport initiatives. In addition to the national winner, there is also a prize for the most active community in each province and territory as well as weekly organization prizing to be awarded throughout June.

The ParticipACTION Community Challenge presented by Novo Nordisk is proudly funded by the Government of Canada, Novo Nordisk and supporting partner, Saputo.

ICSN Announces the 3rd Annual Diversity in Sports Conference

The Diversity in Sports Conference, presented by Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN), a national based organization, is dedicated to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in amateur sports. ICSN is excited to offer a variety of resources and strategies to help you create a more inclusive sports environment.

We believe that growth in sports is a community effort that expands just beyond one group of people or any individual community. This conference brings together racialized and marginalized groups, but also all allies from across the globe who are in this fight for change right alongside us.

The weekend will be filled with workshops and training sessions designed specifically for emerging BIPOC leaders, coaches, officials and sports administrators. Networking with like-minded individuals and building relationships that will support your EDI efforts. Keynote speakers, who will offer practical advice on creating a more inclusive sports culture. Discussions around encouraging allyship and promoting LGBTQ2S+ inclusion to create an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

This game-changing event is open to the public and welcomes sports enthusiasts, athletes, coaches, administrators, and advocates alike.

We believe that creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive sports environment requires ongoing effort and commitment, which starts with all of us.

Our mission is to create a movement longer than any moment any of us could individually make. We want lasting change that continues to evolve with the Canadian Sports landscape. Together we will be that movement.

Join us at the 3rd Annual Diversity Conference, a place where together, we transform the best practices surrounding EDI in sports, into the most powerful sports movement Canada has yet to see.

#StrongerTogether

Breaking Barriers in Swimming – Launch Event

On Thursday, May 2nd, 2024, the ICSN and the City of Durham held the Breaking Barriers in Swimming Launch Event at the Audley Recreation Center Pool in Ajax, ON.

Breaking Barriers in Swimming invites 20 Indigenous, Black and racialized swimmers to learn more about water safety with Jamaican Olympic Swimmer and world record holder, Alia Atkinson. The swimmers had access to training and exercises that enhanced comfort levels in the water as well as the opportunity to enroll in a six-week swim program in the summer.

All participants received a gift bag with items from Soul Cap, Swim Canada, Whatabound, and various other organizations. We had the privilege to hand out soul caps to swimmers and continue to break barriers and create opportunities for BIPOC youth to feel more confident in the pool.

Thank you to Deputy Mayor of Ajax, Sterling Lee and Minister of Health, Mark Holland for your attendance and support in creating a space for BIPOC youth swimmers in Canada.

Our goal is to empower diverse children aged between 7 to 12 to start, and continue, their journey to learn how to swim. Through this program, we aim to promote life-saving skills and future opportunities that swimming can lead to like water-based exercise, recreation, competitive sports, and jobs in the aquatics field.

To learn more about the Breaking Barriers in Swimming Program click here.