Allies

The most marginalized people in sport shouldn’t have to carry the burden of advocating for equity on their own. When we build sport environments that are accessible and welcoming to those who face the most challenging barriers, we make sport better for everybody involved. Here are some ways you can better understand the diverse challenges women and girls experience so that you can advocate with them.

ALLIES CAN…

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    Ask

    Do your own research and talk to women athletes and leaders in your circles about what they need to succeed and feel welcome in sport. The answers you receive will help you figure out where you can direct your support and use your voice.

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    Reflect

    Do you feel confident standing up for equity in sport? If you are an advocate, how do you react if someone you’re trying to support gives you feedback that you’re being more harmful than helpful? Who is in your sport circle, and what are you doing to support and mentor up-and-coming leaders from underserved communities and create space for their voices?

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    Observe

    When you are participating or working in sport, whose voices are the loudest? Who gets to talk the most on the field or in a meeting, and who is asked to speak for the group? Are women and girls who are racialized, have a disability, or are LGBTQI2S+ present in discussions about gender equity?

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    Learn

    Practice asking the right questions to ensure that decisions in sport are made equitably. What time slots do girls’ teams receive for facility bookings compared to boys’ teams? What percentage of funding do their programs receive? Our Gender Equity LENS e-learning module gives you the information and tools you need to act on your commitment to gender equity, helping create the conditions for all women and girls to participate, lead and ultimately stay in sport.

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    Read

    The Rally Report explores current Canadian trends in sport participation with a specific focus on the target groups of girls ages 6–18. Read the report to understand what girls told us about the biggest barriers and benefits to their participation, and leverage the facts to advocate for better programming.

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    Watch

    Our We Are Sport Panel series, hosted in partnership with She’s 4 Sports, highlights the experiences and expertise of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) sport leaders. Watch our panel discussions on LGBTQI2S+ inclusion, diversifying sport leadership, and encouraging positive mental health in sport to learn more.

  • Have another thought or resource to share?

    Please reach out to Canadian Women & Sport at info@womenandsport.ca!