Welcome to the Inclusion in Canadian Sport’s Network’s July newsletter! We are already halfway through 2026 and we’re proud to share all of the achievements and excitement that has taken place during the first half of this year! In this issue we recap two memorable ICSN events in the Breaking Barriers Program and Building Bridges Program. We are also pleased to introduce the new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Events Checklist. Learn more about Federal and Provincial DEIA Legislation in this issue, and read valuable articles from the Inclusivity in Sport Campaign, exploring what it really takes to make sport welcoming for everyone. This month’s Game Changer Spotlight highlights Isaora Irakoze, and our Community Changemakers of the month are the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce and Aboriginal Sport Circle! We also celebrate Disability Pride Month with our athlete spotlight, Sheriauna Haase.

Discover a wide variety of career and volunteer opportunities this month, and other ways you can support ICSN’s mission as we continue building a more inclusive and equitable sports community across Canada!

The Building Bridges Program is a national initiative that creates meaningful connections between Black youth and Black law enforcement officers. Through open dialogue, mentorship, leadership development, and sport-based activities, participants come together in a safe and supportive environment to build trust, challenge misconceptions, and learn from one another.
As a not-for-profit organization, Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) relies on donations to help fund year-round programs, mentorship, initiatives and resources to ensure BIPOC individuals can thrive as coaches, officials, administrators, and leaders in the Canadian amateur sport system.

Welcome to the Inclusion in Canadian Sport’s Network’s June newsletter! This issue features the latest Women in Sport Leadership Snapshot, that you don’t want to miss out on reading, as well as a recap and all recordings from the Webinar Series with Dr. Ryan Storr on Developing Rainbow Ready Organizations. Learn more about our Building Bridges Program and the recent session we held. This month’s Game Changer Spotlight highlights Taijon Eccleston-Graham, Co-Founder and Conference Co-Chair of the UWindsor Sport Industry Conference, and our Community Changemaker of the month is Musilimaj Ahtlectic Club!
Discover a wide variety of career and volunteer opportunities this month, and other ways you can support ICSN’s mission as we continue building a more inclusive and equitable sports community across Canada!

Creating a more diverse and inclusive Canadian amateur sports system requires ongoing effort and commitment. While the Diversity in Sports Conference has ended, our daily work to support our mission continues.
As a not-for-profit organization, Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) relies on donations to help fund year-round programs, mentorship, initiatives and resources to ensure BIPOC individuals can thrive as coaches, officials, administrators, and leaders in the Canadian amateur sport system.

Welcome to the Inclusion in Canadian Sport’s Network’s May newsletter! We kicked off this month with the 4th Annual Diversity in Sports Conference. The sold-out event 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.
This issue also features recaps of recent events including the Girls Can/Girls Empowerment Series Workshop, and the Developing Rainbow Ready Sport Organizations Webinars with Dr. Ryan Storr. This month’s Game Changer Spotlight highlights Mi’kmaw Sports Development Coordinator, Ayden Pierro, and our Community Changemaker of the month is Black Girl Hockey Club.
Discover career and volunteer opportunities, upcoming events, and other ways you can support ICSN’s mission as we continue building a more inclusive and equitable sports community across Canada!

Welcome to the Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network’s April newsletter! ICSN’s 4th Annual National Diversity in Sports Conference is only weeks away. In this issue we share a preview of the Workshops taking place at the conference, along with some other key information.
The Future of Sport in Canada Commission has released its Final Report. Info on why the report matters, and the full report are available in this issue. Also in this issue, we share that Sport Integrity Canada announced the Phase 1 expansion of the Canadian Safe Sport Program Registry.
This month’s Game Changer Spotlight highlights Ronny Musikitele – youth speaker, author and founder. We are also highlighting the Hijiabi Ballers as our Community Changemaker of the month!
Discover career and volunteer opportunities, upcoming events, and other ways you can support ICSN’s mission as we continue building a more inclusive and equitable sports community across Canada!

We’re pleased to share a preview of our featured workshops, designed to inspire and educate attendees. We are also sharing the launch of a new webinar series with The Diversity Storr and Dr. Ryan Storr. In addition, we’re highlighting a Job Fair opportunity hosted by the Jamaican Canadian Association, offering valuable networking and career connections.

The Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) welcomes the release of the Final Report of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission, a landmark national review examining systemic challenges in Canadian sport and proposing recommendations to create safer, more accessible, and more inclusive sport environments.

Welcome to the Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network’s March newsletter! Tickets are still available for ICSN’s 4th Annual National Diversity in Sports Conference, taking place from May 1–3, 2026 in Mississauga. It’s open to anyone passionate about equity, diversity, and inclusion in sport, the conference will feature expert-led sessions, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and insights into the Emerging BIPOC Leaders program. ICSN is doing a giveaway for tickets to the conference. Details on how to enter are in the newsletter.
ICSN held the 2nd Annual Black Leaders in Sports Day in February, which convened emerging and established Black leaders from across Canada’s amateur sport system. In January, ICSN attended its first international conference, contributing a Canadian perspective to a global conversation on equity, inclusion and belonging.
This month’s Game Changer Spotlight highlights Abygail Montague for her leadership and impact in inclusive sport as an athlete, coach, student leader and community builder.
Discover career and volunteer opportunities, more on past and upcoming events, and other ways you can support ICSN’s mission as we continue building a more inclusive and equitable sports community across Canada!

Welcome to the Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network’s December newsletter! As this month approaches, early bird tickets are still available for ICSN’s 4th Annual National Diversity in Sports Conference, taking place May 1–3, 2026 in Mississauga. It’s open to anyone passionate about equity, diversity, and inclusion in sport, the conference will feature expert-led sessions, interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and insights into the Emerging BIPOC Leaders program. Early bird pricing is available until December 31, 2025.
ICSN has also launched the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Awards, recognizing individuals and community sport organizations advancing inclusive sport across Canada. Award recipients will be celebrated at the 2026 conference, with nominations open until January 16, 2026.
Looking ahead, ICSN will be in action at the 2026 Regional Sport for Life Summit in Calgary, where President & CEO Shauna Bookal will serve as a keynote speaker. Community updates include the release of National Youth Services’ December Fast Facts, offering valuable resources for those supporting youth development.
This month’s Game Changer Spotlight highlights Mary Adarkwa for her leadership and impact in inclusive sport as an athlete and coach. Also, she’s the co-founder of the Okyere Adarkwa Kwakye Family Legacy Foundation, which helps “athletes and young people achieve excellence and flourish in all aspects of their lives.”
Discover career opportunities, upcoming events, and other ways you can support ICSN’s mission as we continue building a more inclusive and equitable sports community across Canada!

Welcome to the Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network’s November newsletter! This month, ICSN is gearing up for the 4th Annual National Diversity in Sports Conference with a last call to apply for the Sport for All Scholarship, supporting grassroots leaders facing barriers to attend. Early bird conference tickets are also now available until December 31, 2025, with discounted rates for students, grassroots organizations, and groups.
November was a busy month for ICSN, with participation in major events across Canada including Baseball Canada’s Fall Convention, Sport NL’s Annual Summit, SEE BC 2025, and the FIFA World Cup 26 Toronto Volunteer Centre opening. ICSN also hosted impactful community initiatives such as the ICSN x Raptors 905 Leadership Event, the Detroit PALS/GEMS Workshop, and supported coaches at the Nike Coach Summit.
Looking ahead, ICSN will be attending the 2025 Toronto Sport Summit focused on sustaining community sport. ICSN continues to champion equity through resources like the Play Fair: Anti-Racism in Sport Toolkit, a free national resource empowering organizations to create inclusive sport spaces.
Community updates include the release of National Youth Services’ November Fast Facts, and this month’s Game Changer Spotlight recognizes Emerging BIPOC Leader Kobe Li for his outstanding leadership, community impact, and recent recognition as a Terry Fox Humanitarian Award recipient.
Discover career opportunities, upcoming events, and other ways you can support ICSN’s mission as we continue building a more inclusive and equitable sports community across Canada!

Welcome to the Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network’s October newsletter! This month, early bird tickets are now available for ICSN’s 4th Annual National Diversity in Sports Conference, taking place May 1–3, 2026 in Mississauga. The conference brings together sport leaders, practitioners, researchers, students, and community members from across Canada for three days of learning, networking, and action focused on advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in sport. Discounted rates are available, and the event will once again feature the Emerging BIPOC Leaders program.
ICSN has also opened expressions of interest for the 2nd Annual Black Leaders in Sports Day, happening in February 2026, building on the success of its historic inaugural gathering. In addition, ICSN will be represented at the 2025 Sport NL Summit, where President & CEO Shauna Bookal will deliver a keynote on building inclusive sport systems.
Resources and opportunities continue to grow, including the Play Fair: Anti-Racism in Sport Toolkit, a free national resource supporting organizations in creating safer, more inclusive sport environments. Community updates include Nike Canada’s Coach the Dream campaign, a volunteer call for the 2026 Ontario Summer Games in Waterloo Region, the release of National Youth Services’ October Fast Facts, and the launch of I·SPARC’s new cultural safety training focused on Indigenous inclusion in sport.
This month’s Game Changer Spotlight recognizes Okela Sylvester, an Emerging BIPOC Leader whose work in recreation, advocacy, and youth programming continues to shape more inclusive sport spaces.
Discover career opportunities, upcoming events, and other ways you can support ICSN’s mission as we continue building a more inclusive and equitable sports community across Canada!