September Newsletter: Applications now open for national Same Game Challenge!

Canadian Women & Sport is pleased to extend an invitation to sport and recreation organizations across Canada to apply for the Same Game Challenge thanks to funding support from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities (Jumpstart). This project will support organizations to advance gender equity and improve opportunities for women and girls as participants and leaders in sport. 

What is the Same Game Challenge?
Same Game Challenge is for sport leaders who are inspired to reimagine how women and girls access their sport but have been frustrated in their ability to make efficient and effective change. Sport leaders will be provided with a step-by-step process that guides them on how to connect with their members to identify gender inequities.

Sport leaders and their organizations will develop the skills they need to create sustainable change that closes the gender inequity gaps they face. Participating organizations will also receive access to expert coaching and peer support throughout the process.  

Who is eligible to apply? 

This application is open to sport, physical activity and recreation organizations across Canada such as minor sport organizations, recreation facilities, or other organizations that offer physical activity or sport in their community. 

How will organizations benefit? 

Successful applicants will receive: 

• Coaching and mentorship – guidance and advice for embedding gender equity into their organizational strategies, process, and programs 
• Opportunities to share and learn with others – connect with 9 other leaders who will be working through Same Game simultaneously 
• Professional Development – Access to free licenses of the Gender Equity LENS e-learning module for their organization leaders
• Financial Support – $1,000 honorarium to support organizational gender equity activities 
• Knowledge and Competency – Effective solutions and a better understanding of how to engage women and girls in sport 

What is the commitment required by organizations? 

• A minimum of one contact/representative from the organization to attend each group session and coaching session 
• Two representatives from the organization to be part of the program 
• Attend five (5) one-on-one meetings with Same Game Coach  
• Active participation for the six (6) month program duration 
• Submitting testimonials/feedback on your organization’s experience during the program 
• Interacting and moving through with the Same Game Toolkit throughout the program duration 
• This program requires a touch point every 3 weeks with your group and/or coach 

Applications are open until October 2, 2022 at 11:59PM ET.

Please direct any questions related to the program or application process to samegame@womenandsport.ca.

Upcoming Opportunities:

• Canadian Women & Sport, has received $2,000,000 in funding in 2022–23 from the Community Sport for All initiative. Funded projects will help reduce barriers to sport participation and retention for girls, women and nonbinary people who are from Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQQIA+, low-income and newcomer populations, as well as people with disabilities. Further details to come on the application process. Sign up here to be notified when spotlight grant applications open.
• September 30th marks the second official National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. For setters on this land, it’s vital that we use this day – and all days in the calendar year, to continue our learning and committing to true reconciliation in our communities and our work. A starting point for events and learning is to visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliations: Truth and Reconciliation Week of free resources.
• September also marks National Coaches Week across Canada. From September 17 – 25th, we say #ThanksCoach to all the amazing coaches in our lives. Coaches are the most visible and influential leaders in sport. They shape the day-to-day lived experiences of participants and influence the growth and development of sport, however, we know that women are underrepresented in coaching roles at all levels throughout sport. Access our Gender Equity in Coaching Framework and Self-Assessment Tool and view our webinar with the Coaching Association of Canada.

Organizational Updates:

• We are proud to be partnering with Canadian Tire Jumpstart to better understand how women, girls and nonbinary individuals experience sport. Together, we published reports in 2020 (The Rally Report) and 2021 (The Pandemic Impact on Girls in Sport), and are planning a forthcoming report this fall. The last two reports largely focused on the experiences of children playing sport. That will still be a primary focus this time around. However, we also want to understand how organizations and their leaders contribute to the experiences of children in sport. We want to know how you feel your organization supports women, girls and nonbinary individuals. Your answers will help us form recommendations in the report this fall. Complete the survey here.
• Canadian Women & Sport Appoints Advisory Group to Ensure Maximum Impact for Commercial Opportunities of Professional Women’s Sport in Canada. The Advisory Group is comprised of individuals representing media, corporate brands, sport properties, and represents the diversity of Canada all with a primary objective of sharing their experiences to help inform and advance progress in growing women’s professional sports in Canada. The Advisory Group will provide insights and perspectives specific to the Canadian market for a forthcoming report. The first-of-its-kind report, to be released in Fall 2022, will help inform the decisions being made on professional women’s sport so that leaders can optimize the economic and social potential of their women’s sport ventures.

Have a gender equity initiative you want to share? Click here.

Thanks for reading!