Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion: The Good Games Experience

In the world of Canadian sports, few events capture the essence of inclusivity and celebration quite like The GOOD Games. As a beacon of athletic camaraderie and cultural exchange, The GOOD Games stands as a testament to the transformational power of sport in bringing people together, regardless of age, background, or ability.

At its core, The GOOD Games embodies the spirit of inclusivity, welcoming athletes and spectators from all walks of life to partake in a weekend of festivities and competition. From former Olympians showcasing their skills on the volleyball court to families engaging in interactive sports sessions, there’s something for everyone at The GOOD Games.

One of the pillars of progress in Canadian sports, The GOOD Games endeavours to break down barriers to participation, making sport accessible to all. Through partnerships with organizations like the Indigenous Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario (ISWO), The GOOD Games offers not just athletic competition, but also cultural enrichment and learning opportunities.

As we gear up for MIG 2025 (Masters Indigenous Games), The GOOD Games serve as a vital stop on the road, providing a platform for Indigenous athletes to showcase their talents and share their rich cultural heritage with the world.

With a focus on the “watch, play, learn” ethos, The GOOD Games encourages attendees to immerse themselves in the world of sports, whether as spectators marveling at the feats of elite athletes or as active participants trying their hand at new and exciting activities.

In a society where physical activity often takes a backseat to other pursuits, The GOOD Games reignites the passion for sport in people of all ages, reminding us of the joy and fulfillment that comes from staying active and engaged.

As we look towards the future, The GOOD Games remains committed to its mission of fostering inclusivity, promoting physical literacy, and celebrating the unifying power of sport. Join us on this journey as we continue to inspire, empower, and unite through the love of the game.

Ceejay Nofuente Announced as the Next Head Coach of Women’s Basketball Program at Humber College

The Humber Department of Athletics is pleased to announce Ceejay Nofuente as the next head coach of the women’s basketball program. Nofuente will take the reins of the iconic program, following the retirement of legendary head coach Ajay Sharma.

“Ceejay is not just committed to Humber’s passion for excellence in athletics and academics, she has lived it,” said Humber Athletic Director Ray Chateau. She has been a student-athlete, a team captain, a national championship player, and for the last two years as an assistant to Coach Sharma. We support her pursuit of returning Humber’s women’s basketball team to the top of the OCAA and CCAA.”

Nofuente becomes the seventh head coach in program history since 1972, joining Humber Hall of Famer Denise Perrier (2000-11) as a former CCAA All-Canadian to transition from the hardwood to the head coach’s chair for the Hawks.

“Humber College has been a central part of my life for more than a decade, and I could not ask for a better place to continue my career,” said Nofuente. “This is absolutely humbling. First, I offer extreme gratitude to the greatest coach of all-time whose career is unrivalled in OCAA women’s basketball. Coach Sharma has built the premier program in our sport thanks to his unwavering competitive edge, a tireless attention to detail, a family-first approach and a remarkable compassion and care of his players, coaches, and staff. He has set a standard that every coach at every level should strive to achieve.”

“I’d also like to express my sincere appreciation to Ray Chateau for believing in me and providing me with this opportunity. It is an honour to call this great institution my alma mater, and I’m deeply committed to furthering its academic and athletic excellence while continuing Humber Basketball’s championship legacy.”

Joining the Hawks as a transfer in 2013, Nofuente made an immediate impact and changed the direction of Humber Basketball. A two-time national champion, the Toronto native finished her career as the most decorated women’s team sport student-athlete in CCAA history. She is the only female athlete to earn CCAA national Player of the Year honours three times and currently holds the Humber record for most career points, assists, and steals. Nofuente finished her collegiate career with a 100-3 record against CCAA opponents.

Mark Simpson Becomes the New Capilano University Blues Men’s Volleyball Headcoach

The Capilano University Department of Athletics and Recreation is pleased to announce the hiring of Markiel Simpson as the new head coach of the Blues men’s volleyball team.

A former Blues player, Simpson has experience at both the CCAA and USports levels. He won a PACWEST provincial title with the Blues as a member of the 2012-13 team under Nathan Bennett.

For the last two seasons, Simpson has worked as an assistant coach with the Blues men’s team.

“Markiel brings a high degree of character to this role and we are confident he is the right person to lead our men’s volleyball team into the future,” said CapU Blues athletic director Georgette Reed. “His experience with our current players and his proud history with our team are key assets as we set a course for success with this program.”

Simpson spent two separate stints in Blues colours as a player, competing in his first two campaigns at CapU before a season at the University of New Brunswick. He returned to Capilano for the 2018-19 season, playing under coach Dave Dooley.

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help build and sustain a championship-level program at Capilano University,” said Simpson. “As a Capilano Blues alumnus and a resident of North Vancouver, I can’t imagine a better coaching opportunity for me and my family; we’re so excited to continue being part of the community.”

Simpson immediately assumes all head coach duties for Blues men’s volleyball including recruiting, training and selection of a coaching staff.

Inclusion in Canada Sports Network announces upcoming 2nd annual Diversity in Sport Conference from May 3-5

From Friday May 3rd through Sunday May 5th the second annual Diversity in Sports will take place dedicated to administrators, leaders, coaches, and officials who work in amateur sports. From National Sport Organizations (NSOs) to school / grassroots programs, this conference is for everyone.

Inclusion in Canada Sports Network (ICSN) has announced the schedule for the upcoming Diversity in Sport conference.

General sessions for all individuals will take place across all three days starting Friday morning and ending Sunday afternoon.

100 Emerging BIPOC leaders have been invited to take part in the conference on Friday May 3rd and Saturday May 4th, with a curated schedule full of opportunities. By actively inviting and highlighting up-and-coming BIPOC voices, we aim to create a space where diverse perspectives are valued and celebrated.

Sunday May 5th will provide an opportunity for Coaches and Officials to learn about specific policy and procedure to protect sports at every level as well as hear from keynote speakers.

Du vendredi 3 au dimanche 5 mai se tiendra la deuxième édition de la conférence annuelle sur la diversité dans le sport, qui s’adresse aux administrateurs, aux dirigeants, aux entraineurs et aux officiels qui travaillent dans le domaine du sport amateur. Cette conférence s’adresse à tous, des organismes nationaux de sport (ONS) aux programmes scolaires et communautaires.

Inclusion dans le réseau sportif canadien (IRSC) a annoncé le programme de la prochaine conférence sur la diversité dans le sport.

Les séances générales pour tous seront réparties sur les trois jours, du vendredi matin au dimanche après-midi.

Une centaine de leaders PANDC émergents ont été invités à participer à la conférence les vendredi 3 et samedi 4 mai, dans le cadre d’un programme riche en possibilités. En invitant activement et en mettant en lumière les voix des PANDC émergentes, nous visons à créer un espace où les diverses perspectives sont valorisées et célébrées.

Le dimanche 5 mai sera l’occasion pour les entraineurs et les officiels de s’informer sur les politiques et procédures visant à protéger les sports à tous les niveaux ainsi que d’assister aux conférences des principaux conférenciers.

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities

Logos: ICSN and Jumpstart

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is committed to ensuring kids in need have equal access to sport and recreation. Jumpstart helps eligible families cover the costs of registration, transportation, and equipment, and provides funding to selected organizations for recreational infrastructure and programming. Since 2005, Jumpstart has disbursed more than $225 million to help over 3 million kids and counting.

Like Jumpstart, we understand the importance of sport for the health and well-being of kids, and are proud of the work we do to provide sport and play for the community. With Jumpstart’s support, we’ll be able to enhance our programming within the amateur sport realm, ensuring that sports and a career remain an accessible space for all. This funding will enable us to develop and offer a wider range of programs. Moreover, Jumpstart’s support will allow us to continue operating and serving our Sport lovers effectively. Their commitment to making sports accessible aligns perfectly with our mission, and we are grateful for the opportunity to further this important work together.

For more information, visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca.

Emerging BIPOC Leaders Applications are now open!

Group of people

Join us for the 2nd Annual Diversity in Sport Conference and be a part of the Emerging BIPOC Leaders program! In addition to networking; this program will be highlighting the voices of future BIPOC leaders in sport.

We believe that having young leaders at the conference is crucial. Your presence is not only essential but also integral to our mission of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within sport from coast to coast to coast. By actively inviting and highlighting up-and-coming BIPOC voices, we aim to create a space where diverse perspectives are valued and celebrated.

As an emerging leader, you’ll have the opportunity to bring invaluable insights, experiences, and innovative ideas to the table, enriching the discussions and paving the way for tangible progress in addressing systemic inequities in sports.

Applications for the Emerging BIPOC Leaders portion of the conference are now closed. Thank you for your interest and we hope to see you next year at the 3rd Annual Diversity in Sport Conference 2025.

Darrell Adams named Varsity Blues Head Coach

Adams comes to the Blues after extensive experience as Waterloo Warriors associate head coach. He can be credited with putting a new face on the program and leading the team to playoffs for the first time in 18 years and four times out of the last five years. Prior to his time with the Warriors, Adams was in Ottawa as the defensive line coach and strength and conditioning coordinator of the Carelton Ravens from 2013-16. There, he also helped lead the team to playoffs for the first time in 15 years. In addition to his U Sport coaching experience, he brings a wealth of knowledge from the CFL. Adams served as the strength conditioning coordinator and assistant line coach for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and a guest coach for both the Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“I am blessed, humbled and beyond thrilled for the opportunity to be the head football coach at the University of Toronto,” said Adams. “I look forward to adding another chapter in the schools rich, diverse and prosperous history by assisting in the growth of the program in all areas: academically, athletically and in the community. By creating a multilayered culture founded on three core principles of respect, trust and love, my primary aim is to help student-athletes from various socio-economic backgrounds achieve their goals on and off the field. I will do everything in my power to ensure that student-athletes who commit to the University of Toronto graduate in a timely fashion, have a robust experience, are equipped with the tools to thrive in life and win as many football games possible. I cannot wait to get started.”

Read the full article here.

Guelph University Football names Mark Surya Head Coach

Long time offensive coordinator, Mark Surya, has climbed the ranks to the position of Head Coach of the Guelph Gryphons Football Program. “We are excited to announce Mark as our new head coach,” said University of Guelph Director of Athletics, Scott McRoberts. “We are fortunate to be getting a coach of his character, coaching acumen, recruiting experience, ability to develop young student-athletes to their full potential and a familiarity with our University, which makes him a perfect match. I look forward to watching his leadership as he guides our Gryphon student-athletes into a new era.”

Surya regards the opportunity as an honour and says “The last five years have laid the foundation for the program, and I look forward to building on the current success and working towards creating an outstanding experience for the student-athletes.”

Read the full article here.

Dexter Janke names Head Football Coach at York University

“On behalf of Athletics and Recreation, we are thrilled to welcome Dexter Janke to our department and the university,” York Executive Director, Athletics and Recreation, Steven Chuang said. “Coach Janke’s core values align with our mission of delivering a world class student-athlete experience by transforming the lives of everyone that we touch — one Lion at a time.”

Janke has a wealth of Canadian Football experience. He started his career as an undergraduate at the University of Saskatchewan before spending some time in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. His most recent success comes from a Canadian Junior Football League conference title with the Westshore Rebels (B.C.) where he spent four seasons in various roles. At the peak of his time with the Rebels, he was named both BCFC and CJFL Coach of the Year.

“The way I’m approaching this is making sure we have a clear and healthy culture established, and making sure we have a group of individuals who are committed to the process and committed to each other,” said the four-year CFL veteran. “I’m working hand in hand with the coaching staff to make sure we have a solid structure and foundation to build upon,” the former CFL veteran remarks on his new role.

Janke’s first official day on the job is Monday, Feb. 5.

Read the full article here.

ICSN: Forging a Unified Front Against Inequality and Racism in Canadian Sports 

Toronto ON

The Board of Directors of the Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN), formerly known as The Black Canadian Coaches Association (BCCA), is proud to announce a groundbreaking initiative that unites various amateur sport organizations, cultural institutions, and grassroots clubs under a single banner. This united effort is dedicated to addressing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and combating Anti Racism within the Canadian sport industry.

ISCN, a Canadian Not-for-Profit organization, represents a collective and dedicated individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a common commitment to advancing racial equity within the Canadian amateur sports community.

Our vision remains steadfast: to foster a safer, more racially diverse, and inclusive environment within the Canadian sports arena, particularly within the amateur sports sector.

ICSN will spearhead collaborative efforts across multiple domains, with a focus on empowering Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) individuals. These efforts will encompass crucial areas such as Coaches’ Support, Officials’ Support, Sports Medicine Support, Sport Administrators’ Support, and nurturing the next generation of BIPOC leaders.

Through strategic partnerships, ICSN will continue to implement transformative programs, including mentorship initiatives, and furnish educational toolkits and resources aimed at promoting EDI and Anti-Racism. Most importantly, ICSN will be a resolute advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, actively driving change within the Canadian amateur sports ecosystem.

The Board of Directors of ICSN is committed to upholding these principles and, in collaboration with our partners stakeholders, effecting lasting change within the Canadian sports industry. Together, we will build a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive future for all participants in Canadian sports.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Asya Bartley & Shauna Bookal
inclusionincanadiansports@gmail.com