Policy and program considerations for increasing sport participation among members of under- represented groups in Canada: A Literature Review Presented to SPARC Sue Cragg Consulting Final Report: November 14, 2016 Acknowledgements and Sourcing Thank-you The authors would like to acknowledge the Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Surveillance and Monitoring Work Group who provided guidance and advice to this project. The authors would also like to thank the many researchers and practitioners who responded to our call for relevant studies for this project. Special thanks to Brianna Gilchrist who provided research assistance on this project. How to source this report: Cragg, S., Costas-Bradstreet, C., Arkell, J. & Lofstrom, K. (2016). Policy and program considerations for increasing sport participation among members of under-represented groups in Canada. Sport Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. For more information about this report: Joanne Kay: [email protected] Sue Cragg: [email protected] This publication may be reproduced without permission provided the source is fully acknowledged. Executive Summary Sport should be available and responsive to integration including, belongingness, the needs of all Canadian residents who engagement, meaning, mastery and want to participate. Sport participation challenge. The evidence for increasing benefits individuals and society overall participation in sport for underrepresented through improved physical, psychological groups is organized in the report by these and social well-being, increased civic pride, aspects and includes ideas for addressing engagement and cohesion, and increased these aspects. economic development and prosperity. While the report set out to focus on sport However, some women and girls, alone, the concepts of sport, recreation and Indigenous Peoples, persons with a physical activity are not exclusive of one disability, recent immigrants, new another Strategies to increase participation Canadians, socio-economically in physical activity or include members of disadvantaged Canadians, older adults, marginalized groups in recreation are often members of the LGBTQ community, and applicable to increasing participation of the Canadians living in rural, remote and same groups in sport. Similarly, health isolated regions do not participate at the promotion and sport for development same rates as their mainstream activities share mutual goals with sport and counterparts. Inclusive policies and each of these strategies have the potential programming benefit members of these to reinforce and support the goals of the groups and other Canadian residents who others. may feel excluded from sport. Developing physical literacy and This report provides the Sport, Physical cultural capital at any age Activity and Recreation Committee with a literature review to serve as a common While the Canadian Sport Policy focuses on evidence-base for collaborative policy and early physical literacy and sport skill program development work aimed at development, members of under- increasing participation in sport, particularly represented groups may not have had these among underrepresented groups, and opportunities at a young age, due to socio- promoting the health of Canadians through economic disadvantage, physical or health sport participation. limitations, past residency in other countries (e.g., living in a refugee camp or in Sport is about more than training and a country where sport is a privilege of the performance, and participation is about very few), cultural norms (e.g., particular more than just the number of participants sports are not played in their culture of who show up to a program. Sport origin, or women are not encouraged to participation includes experiential aspects participate) or marginalization due to other related to inclusion and community Sport Participation Among Members of Underrepresented Groups 2016-11-21 i reasons (e.g., homophobia, ablebodyism, Identify and customise the right racism). The lack of physical literacy combination of solutions development at a young age creates a No single action will increase sport significant barrier to entry for those who participation alone. For example, offering wish to participate. This lack means that subsidies without providing a welcoming potential participants my feel awkward, as environment will not entice people to come they do not have the basic skills, or they or to stay. A holistic approach to increasing may be excluded from teams who are sport participation is needed. This involves focused on winning. addressing the whole person, including However, having physical literacy levels emphasizing the health benefits of sport; below those of one’s peers are only part of involving community members in the sport shortfalls that exclude some suggesting and designing solutions, Canadian residents. Consistent early promoting participation and supporting participation and experience also create participants; and building linkages with cultural capital (abilities, values and desires community partners, both by involving celebrated in the sport). Without early sport them in promoting sport offerings and by opportunities, potential participants may including sport in their broader feel that they are not familiar with the rules programming. or strategies or that they don’t fit in with It is imperative that policy makers and the culture of the team. Such experiences practitioners work with members of each may lead them to decide that sport is not target group they are hoping to serve, to for them. gain an understanding of the group’s While the underrepresented groups culture, challenges and preferred solutions, discussed in this report are diverse, both and then tailoring a critical mass of between groups and internally, there are solutions to the local context. many similarities in terms of the barriers Honouring reasons for participation and challenges to their participation in sport. In addition to lacking sufficient To encourage participation at all levels, physical literacy and cultural capital, there is a need for sport leaders and barriers can include fear of judgement and organizations to support the delivery of fun, the attitudes of others, lack of relevant role socially inclusive sport programs that models, lack of access to facilities, support a healthy active lifestyle for all equipment, transportation, or information, Canadian residents. It is important to and economic and time constraints. The understand, acknowledge and honour solutions, while requiring tailoring to each reasons for participating in a sport and not group, fall into the same general categories. to enforce athletic development standards on those who are not looking for that type of experience. Accommodating all levels of Sport Participation Among Members of Underrepresented Groups 2016-11-21 ii skill and competition and supporting choice Removing economic, social and other of participation level provides the variety of barriers. experiences sought by different individuals. Next Steps Ideas for Action This report offers practical actions to create To improve sport participation among solutions and inspire ideas. The contents of Canadians and particularly among members this report can be used as a basis for of underrepresented populations, consultation with multiple sectors to gather stakeholders could consider: feedback to build upon the foundation it Developing programs to introduce basic provides. Furthermore, there is a need to skills and improve physical literacy for gather information about the unpublished all ages, abilities and skill levels; types of policies and programs underway across the country. This information, along Working with intersectoral partners with that of existing reports on serving including health and recreation; underrepresented groups, needs to be Recognizing the overlap between actively shared and promoted. Now is the physical activity, recreation and sport. time to find ways to share identified Providing professional development approaches broadly and support their and mentorship opportunities to implementation. Finally, efforts should be leaders and administrators; evaluated and monitored to gauge their Encouraging peer leadership and impact and ways to improve, and to identify mentorship; successful practice that can be shared with Ensuring physical access to facilities; programmers and policy makers across the Ensuring facilities are maintained and nation. meet accessibility codes; Removing transportation barriers; Removing equipment barriers; Attracting participants with social and cultural experiences in addition to the sporting experience; Involving those for whom programs are being developed; Working with non-sport partners and community organizations; Celebrating and promoting diversity; Creating a welcoming environment; and Sport Participation Among Members of Underrepresented Groups 2016-11-21 iii Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1 Project Methodology ...................................................................................................................... 5 Context ............................................................................................................................................ 8 Canadian Sport Participation Rates............................................................................................. 8 Key Definitions