Expression of Interest Open for ICSN’s 2nd Annual Black Leaders in Sports Day

After a powerful and historic first gathering in 2025, ICSN is thrilled to announce that expressions of interest are now open for the 2nd Annual Black Leaders in Sports Day, taking place during the week of February 23, 2026.

The inaugural event, held in Ottawa earlier this year, brought together Black professionals from across the amateur sports system—including administrators, coaches, officials, researchers, and sport medicine experts—for a day of learning, collaboration, and community building. It marked a landmark moment in Canadian sport and addressed ongoing inequities faced by Black sport leaders.

Building on that momentum, ICSN invites Black sport professionals and aspiring changemakers to express their interest in attending next year’s event.

Learn more and submit your expression of interest here.

ICSN Presents the 4th Annual National Diversity in Sports Conference – May 1–3, 2026

The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN), now recognized as a Multisport Service Organization (MSO), is proud to announce the 4th Annual National Diversity in Sports Conference on May 1–3, 2026, at the Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale.

Building on the sold-out success of 2025 – where global leaders like the Australian Sports Commission and UK Sport facilitated workshops with sport leaders from across Canada – participants can expect to learn from leading experts, engage in interactive workshops, and connect with peers in a lively and memorable networking experience, all focused on creating an inclusive and equitable Canadian sport system.

The conference brings together leaders advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in sports. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and levels of experience:

  • National and Provincial Sport Organizations (NSOs and PSOs)
  • Coaches and officials
  • Athletic administrators and staff
  • Academics, researchers, and students
  • Grassroots and community sport organizations

We look forward to welcoming attendees from across the country for three days of learning, collaboration, and action.

To stay up to date on news about the Diversity in Sports Conference, Become a Gamechanger and join ICSN’s mailing list here.

For any Diversity in Sports Conference inquiries, please contact info@inclusionincanadiansports.ca.

ICSN’s Commitment to the Future of Sport in Canada

ICSN is leveraging our work in diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure the Future of Sport in Canada Commission’s Preliminary Report leads to meaningful, lasting change. As Sport Canada’s official and only MSO dedicated to this mission, we are proud to stand with the Commission in its call for collective action.
This vital document outlines 71 preliminary recommendations aimed at enhancing safe sport and improving the system for everyone. It addresses critical issues like leadership, funding, and governance, while also highlighting the urgent need to end widespread maltreatment.

Building a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive Canadian sport system requires all of us to get involved. We believe that your voice is crucial. Read the full report and provide your feedback to make an impact.

Together, let’s make sport better for everyone.

Read the full report and provide your feedback.

Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) Recognized as a Multi-Sport Organization (MSO)

The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) is proud to announce that it has officially been recognized as a Multi-Sport Organization (MSO) under Sport Canada. ICSN is the only organization under Sport Canada dedicated to addressing racism, advancing equity, and promoting diversity across the Canadian amateur sport system.

This milestone highlights the importance of ICSN’s mission to create inclusive spaces in Canadian sport and ensure representation for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) in leadership, coaching, officiating, and administration.

Since receiving this recognition, ICSN has already been part of several key milestones shaping the Canadian Sport System:

  • June 6, 2025 – ICSN received confirmation from Sport Canada that its application to become a Multi-Sport Organization (MSO) had been approved.
  • August 10, 2025 – Shauna Bookal, President & CEO of ICSN, was invited to present at the Federal-Provincial/Territorial Ministers responsible for Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (SPARC) meeting.
  • August 11, 2025 – Following ICSN’s presentation, the Council publicly named racism as a barrier in Canadian sport for the first time. Key highlights from the SPARC meeting stated: “Ministers directed officials to examine how governments can further address racism and discrimination in sport in Canada.”
  • August 11, 2025 – The Canadian Sport Policy 2025–2035 was released, identifying diversity as one of the shared values that will guide the next decade of sport in Canada.

As ICSN marks this milestone, we celebrate the progress made over the past five years and reaffirm our commitment to equity, inclusion, and representation in sport.

We invite all sport leaders, participants, and communities to join us in creating a Canadian sport system where everyone belongs. Get involved:

Help shape the future of sport in Canada

The Future of Sport in Canada Commission has launched a national survey – and your voice matters.

At ICSN, we’re committed to amplifying the experiences and needs of underrepresented communities in sport. Too often, voices from BIPOC communities, para sport communities, and others who have been historically excluded are left out of decisions that shape the sport system. This is your chance to change that – to speak up and help build a more inclusive, safe, and equitable sport system for all.

The survey is open until late August 2025 and is available to anyone in Canada who wants to share their sport experiences, perspectives, and ideas for change.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, administrator, volunteer, parent, or fan – your feedback will help shape policies that reflect the diversity of Canada.

Together, let’s make sport better for everyone.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY

Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) Celebrates 5 Years of Impact

The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) proudly celebrates its five-year anniversary, marking a pivotal milestone in its mission to build a more inclusive, equitable, and representative sport system across Canada.

Founded in July 2020, previously known as BCCA (Black Canadian Coaches Association), CSN has grown into a national force for change – developing programs, amplifying diverse voices, and building an ever-expanding community of sport leaders committed to dismantling systemic barriers. From local impact to national conversations, ICSN continues to lead with intention, innovation, and community.

 

Programs that Move the Needle

In five years, ICSN has provided various programs, shown on ICSN’s Five Year Impact Page:

  • Emerging BIPOC Leaders Program: Empowers 200+ BIPOC youth (ages 18-26) through mentorship, leadership development, and networking opportunities to cultivate the next generation of leaders in Canadian sport.
  • BIPOC Mentorship Program: Pairs emerging BIPOC coaches with experienced BIPOC mentors in the amateur sports system, providing professional development funding to increase diversity and representation in coaching roles.
  • Breaking Barriers in Swimming Program: Provides free swim lessons and lifeguard certification training to reduce drowning rates among BIPOC youth and increase BIPOC representation in aquatic leadership across Canada.
  • Building Bridges Program: Provides a safe and engaging space for Black youth to connect with Black law enforcement through open dialogue, conversation, and play, fostering mutual understanding, trust, and guidance toward law enforcement careers while building stronger, more inclusive communities.
  • Black Leaders in Sports Day: The inaugural event, for the first time in Canadian history, brought together Black sport professionals across Canada,to build community, share knowledge, and strengthen the impact of Black leadership in sports.
  • Play Fair: Anti-Racism in Sports Toolkit & Webinar Series: A free downloadable toolkit with educational resources and practical steps to help sports organizations and individuals in combat racism and discrimination within the sports community. The webinar series guides sport organizations and post-secondary administrators in applying this knowledge into effective, real change.
  • Annual National Diversity in Sports Conference: ICSN’s 3-day flagship event brings together emerging and established sport leaders of all backgrounds, sports, and sport sectors across Canada to discuss key issues facing underrepresented communities in sports. The conference features panel discussions, keynote speakers, and interactive workshops, fostering dialogue on topics such as representation, systemic change, and cultural inclusion.

 

A Movement Built on Community

At the heart of ICSN’s work is a growing, diverse community from emerging leaders and grassroots organizers to provincial and national sport organizations. The ICSN network is a reflection of what is possible when inclusion is made a priority, not an afterthought.

“Our unity exemplifies a powerful force driving us forward. Through unity, we unleash limitless opportunities, demonstrating the strength of coming together.” – Shauna Bookal, President & CEO, ICSN

 

What’s Next

As ICSN looks ahead, its focus remains steadfast: creating sustainable systems of support, expanding program access, and amplifying the next generation of sport leaders across Canada.

To learn more about ICSN’s work, explore programs, or get involved, visit
www.inclusionincanadiansports.ca.

ICSN Joins CTV to Discuss Statistics Canada Report on Ongoing Racism in Community Sport

ICSN joined CTV News to speak on new findings from Statistics Canada released in March 2025: “Unfair Treatment, Racism and Discrimination in community sports in Canada.”

Chair of the Board of Directors of ICSN, Tristian Reid, in a CTV morning interview titled, “Study: Racism Remains an Issue in Community Sports,” addressed the persistent presence of racism and discrimination in community sport and emphasized the urgent need for systemic change.

He highlighted that addressing these problems requires collective action: “People need to look internally, making sure that we create more inclusive work space cultures within the community. We need to make sure we are holding people accountable.”

We encourage all sport leaders to watch the interview, engage with the data and keep the conversations going—because when lived experience is backed by evidence, it demands CHANGE.

To view the interview, see here.

ICSN Launches Charitable Impact Giving Page

The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) is proud to announce the launch of its official Charitable Impact Giving Page, inviting individuals and organizations to support the ongoing work of building a more inclusive, equitable, and representative amateur sport system across Canada.

ICSN is a not-for-profit organization working to realize a more racially diverse and inclusive Canadian sport system by creating pathways for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour to thrive as coaches, officials, sport administrators, and support staff through mentorship, education, job opportunities, and community connection.

Recent Statistics Canada data continues to highlight the urgency of this work — in 2023, over one-quarter (26%) of sports participants in athletic roles reported that racism and discrimination remain persistent challenges in community sports.

Support through the new giving page will help ICSN expand its reach, strengthen operations, and continue delivering impactful programming across the country, including:

Emerging BIPOC Leaders Program: Empowers (ages 18-26) through mentorship, leadership development, and networking opportunities to foster the next generation of leaders in Canadian sport.

BIPOC Mentorship Program: Connects emerging BIPOC coaches with experienced leaders in the amateur sports system, providing mentorship and professional development funding to increase diversity and representation in coaching roles.

Breaking Barriers in Swimming Program: Offers free swim lessons, leadership training, and organizational support to BIPOC youth, aiming to break down barriers and increase diverse representation in Canada’s aquatics community.

Building Bridges Program: Provides a safe and engaging space for Black youth to engage in dialogue with law enforcement, fostering mutual understanding through conversation and play.

Black Leaders in Sports Day: The inaugural event brought together emerging and established Black sport leaders across Canada, expanding knowledge, building networks, and strengthening the collective impact of Black leadership in sports.

Annual National Diversity in Sports Conference, Play Fair: Anti-Racism in Sports Toolkit, and Ongoing Advocacy: Brings together leaders, provides resources, and advocates for systemic change to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity across the Canadian sport system.

All contributions are eligible for a charitable tax receipt and support ICSN’s efforts to break down systemic barriers and drive lasting change in the amateur Canadian sport system.

To donate, click HERE.

Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network Announces 2025 Annual General Meeting

The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) will be holding its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, June 25, from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM EST.

This virtual meeting is open to all individuals interested in learning more about ICSN’s mission, impact, and ongoing initiatives to advance equity, diversity, and representation across the Canadian sport system.

Registration is required by Monday, June 23 at 5:00 PM EST.

Click HERE to register

We welcome all supporters, partners, and members of the community to join us as we reflect on our progress and outline priorities for the year ahead.

Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network Reflects on Groundbreaking Third Annual Diversity in Sports Conference

The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) proudly hosted the 3rd Annual National Diversity in Sports Conference on May 2–4, 2025, at the Hilton Meadowvale Mississauga. This sold-out, three-day event brought together sport leaders, advocates, and changemakers from across Canada and beyond to build community, expand knowledge, and accelerate collective efforts to foster a more inclusive and equitable amateur sport system.

 

About the Diversity in Sports Conference

The Diversity in Sports Conference (DISC) is ICSN’s signature annual event, uniting individuals across all levels of the sport ecosystem—from grassroots to high performance—who are committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion. The conference features dynamic speaker sessions, action-oriented workshops, and meaningful networking opportunities.

This year’s theme, “Sport for All,” underscored the importance of ensuring every identity, community, and lived experience is welcomed and reflected within Canadian sport.

 

A Three-Day Recap of Impact

Throughout the weekend, Arash Madani, National Sports Broadcaster, returned as DISC’s emcee for the third consecutive year, guiding conversations with clarity and energy.

Day 1 opened with a heartfelt welcome and opening remarks from ICSN Chair of the Board of Directors Tristian Reid, followed by keynote insights from Deputy Minister of Sport for Ontario, Keith Palmer, S. Kate Moore of Egale Canada on gender and sexual diversity inclusion, Martha Gumprich of Physical and Health Education Canada on nonbinary representation, and The Loyola Project team from TourCrossroads.

Day 2 began with intention-setting led by Denise McLeod, followed by a welcome from Katelyn May of Visit Mississauga. Rotational workshops featured international perspectives from Adam Cassidy (Australian Sports Commission) and Trixie Marchant (UK Sport), alongside Indigenous programs facilitators Mataya Jim and Greg Henhawk (Sport for Life) who presented on reimagining equity in sport. The day continued with a keynote from Olympic Gold Medalist Bruny Surin (Sprint Management Inc.), and a session on sport and human rights with Ige Egal (Play for Dignity).

The evening closed with a unique and fun Networking Social at The Rec Room, made possible thanks to the support of Visit Mississauga.

Day 3 featured impactful EDI programming led by Dean Smith and Brad Taylor (Nova Scotia Hockey Association) on inclusive hockey initiatives, Charlotte Prouse (Centre for Sport & Human Rights) on athlete mental health, and a systems-change case study facilitated by Dr. Sabrina Razack. Gerd Dembowski (FIFA) shared FIFA’s anti-discrimination strategy, and Sharon Bollenbach (FIFA World Cup 2026™, City of Toronto) shared on legacy-building through the World Cup. The conference concluded with powerful closing remarks from Tristan Reid, who challenged attendees with a lasting question: “Who else needs to be at this table next year?”

 

Empowering the Next Generation: The Emerging BIPOC Leaders Program

A cornerstone of the conference, the Emerging BIPOC Leaders (EBL) Program continued its growth in 2025, offering leadership development, tailored workshops, and networking opportunities to over 100 young leaders aged 18–26.

Workshops were led by RISE To Win facilitators Nydia Cardenas and Julia Rhodes, focusing on equity and leadership in sport. Participants also engaged in a session hosted by RBC Training Ground, featuring elite athletes Sam Effah, Pierce LePage, and Sean McColl, who shared insights on perseverance and personal development in high-performance sport. ICSN’s unique Networking Social at The Rec Room provided Emerging BIPOC Leaders with a vibrant space to connect with fellow conference attendees, exchange ideas, and build lasting relationships across the sport sector.

The ongoing success and expansion of the EBL program reflects ICSN’s deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of diverse, empowered leaders within the Canadian sport system.

 

Why This Work Matters

The need for systemic change in Canadian sport remains urgent. According to Statistics Canada’s recent 2025 report on Unfair treatment, racism and discrimination in community sports in Canada, 26% of individuals in athletic roles report racism and discrimination as persistent issues, where racialized participants (12%) are three times more likely to experience unfair treatment than their non-racialized counterparts (4%).

The Diversity in Sports Conference is a direct response to these challenges—creating space for critical dialogue, equipping leaders with tools for change, and driving long-term progress toward representation, equity, and justice across all levels of sport in Canada.

 

Looking Ahead

The 2025 conference brought together 350 sport leaders of all genders, backgrounds, and experiences—each united in their dedication to transforming sport.

As ICSN continues to grow its reach and impact, Annual National DISC remains a rallying point for those leading the charge. Together, we are redefining what inclusive sport looks like in Canada—and building a future where Sport for All is not a slogan, but a standard.