Join us for ICSN’s Annual Public Forum and AGM!

We’re excited to invite you to ICSN’s Annual Public Forum and AGM, taking place on Saturday, December 14th at 1:30 PM EST.

Join us as we reflect on an amazing year (2023-2024) filled with growth and exciting changes. We’ll be sharing updates on our impactful programs and initiatives, including our transition from the Black Canadian Coaches Association to the Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network.

This is your chance to:

  • Hear from ICSN leadership
  • Learn about our accomplishments and future plans
  • Connect with fellow members of the ICSN community

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate our collective journey towards a more inclusive sport landscape in Canada!

Register here.

Canada Games Indigenous Artist

The Canada Games Council is calling for Indigenous artists to submit designs for a licensed merchandise collection. Five artists will be selected to create artwork for a specific garment, and will be paid $2,000 for their work. The products will be sold online and at the 2025 Canada Games in St. John’s. The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2024.

Read more.

BIFIN (Tropicana Community Services) Petition

We are mobilizing to ensure the sustainability of the SBCCI, an unprecedented funding program that promotes the social and economic development of Black Canadian communities. Sign the petition NOW.

Future of Sport Canada Commission

As BIPOC individuals in sport, we need to make our voices heard! The Future of Sport in Canada Commission is holding cross-country consultations to gather diverse perspectives on safe sport and the Canadian sport system. This is our chance to share our experiences, advocate for change, and help shape the future of sport in our country.

Read more.

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!