Policy and program considerations for increasing sport participation among members of underrepresented groups in Canada. 2nd Edition Presented to Sport Canada Sue Cragg Consulting Final Report: December 31, 2019 Acknowledgements and Sourcing Thank-you The author would especially like to thank the three other authors of the first edition of this report, published in 2016: Jane Arkel, Christa Costas-Bradstreet and Karin Loftstrom. The authors acknowledge the Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Surveillance and Monitoring Work Group who provided guidance and advice to this and the previous project. The authors would also like to thank the many researchers and practitioners who responded to our call for relevant studies for the first edition. How to source this report: Cragg, S. Policy and program considerations for increasing sport participation among members of underrepresented groups in Canada. 2nd ed. Ottawa, Canada: Sport Canada, 2019. This publication may be reproduced without permission provided the source is fully acknowledged. For more information about this report: Joanne Kay: [email protected] Sue Cragg: [email protected] Executive Summary Sport should be available and responsive to Participation Among Members of the needs of all Canadian residents who want Underrepresented Groups. These to participate. Sport participation benefits supplements are created for policy makers, individuals and society overall through national and provincial/ territorial sport and improved physical, psychological and social recreation organizations and local sport well-being, increased civic pride, engagement providers, coaches, leaders and teachers. and cohesion, and increased economic Sport is about more than training and development and prosperity. However, some performance, and participation is about women and girls, Indigenous people, persons more than just the number of participants with a disability, recent immigrants, new who show up to a program. Sport Canadians, socio-economically disadvantaged participation includes experiential aspects Canadians, older adults, members of the related to inclusion and community LGBTQ2IA+ community, and Canadians living integration including mastery, challenge, in rural, remote and isolated regions do not autonomy (choice), engagement, meaning participate at the same rates as their and belongingness. The bulk of the evidence mainstream counterparts. Inclusive policies for increasing participation in sport is and programming benefit all who may feel organized in the report by these aspects, excluded from sport. followed by considerations for policy, This report provides the results of a literature training, dissemination and evaluation. review intended to serve as a common The concepts of sport, recreation and evidence-base for collaborative policy and physical activity are not exclusive of one program development work aimed at another. Strategies to increase participation increasing participation in sport, particularly in physical activity or include members of among members of underrepresented marginalized groups in recreation both in the groups. This second edition is an update of community and in schools are often the original 2016 report and includes applicable to increasing sport participation of additional findings from literature published the same groups. Relevant strategies from in the three subsequent years. these related sectors have been included. The first section of this report presents Developing physical literacy and cultural participation rates and barriers to capital at any age participation by each of the target groups, While the Canadian Sport Policy focuses on while the second section presents evidence early physical literacy and sport skill for addressing barriers and increasing sport development, members of underrepresented participation. Practical ideas for action are groups may not have had these opportunities presented in supplements entitled Evidence- at a young age, due to socio-economic Based Ideas for Action to Increase Sport disadvantage, physical or health limitations, residency in other countries, cultural norms subsidies without providing a welcoming or marginalization due to other reasons. The environment will not entice people to come lack of physical literacy development at a or to stay. A holistic approach to increasing young age creates a significant barrier to sport participation is needed. This involves entry into sport. People may feel awkward, addressing the whole person, including as they do not have the basic skills, and they emphasizing the health benefits of sport; may be excluded from teams who are involving community members in suggesting focused on winning. and designing solutions; supporting and However, having physical literacy levels promoting participation; and building below those of one’s peers is only part of the linkages with community partners, both by sport shortfalls that exclude some Canadian involving them in promoting sport offerings residents. Consistent early participation and by including sport in their broader creates cultural capital (abilities, values and programming. It is imperative that policy desires celebrated in a sport). Without early makers and practitioners work with members sport opportunities, potential participants of each target group they are hoping to may not be familiar with the rules or serve, to gain an understanding of the strategies, feel they don’t fit in with the group’s culture, challenges, sport inclusion culture of the team or that a sport is not for needs and preferred solutions, and then them. tailoring a critical mass of context specific solutions. While members of the underrepresented Honouring reasons for participation groups discussed in this report are diverse, To encourage participation at all levels, there both between groups and internally, their is a need for sport leaders and organizations barriers and challenges to participation in to support the delivery of fun, socially sport are similar. In addition to lacking inclusive sport programs that support a sufficient physical literacy and cultural healthy active lifestyle for all Canadian capital, barriers can include fear of residents. It is important to understand, judgement and the attitudes of others; lack acknowledge and honour reasons for of relevant role models; lack of access to participating in a sport and not to enforce relevant, appropriate or enjoyable athletic development standards on those programming; lack of facilities, equipment, who are not looking for that type of transportation, or information; and economic experience. Accommodating all levels of skill and time constraints. The solutions, while and competition and supporting choice of requiring tailoring to each group, fall into the participation level provides the variety of same general categories. experiences sought by different individuals. Identify and customise the right Ideas for Action combination of solutions To improve sport participation among No single action will increase sport Canadians and particularly among members participation alone. For example, offering of underrepresented populations, • Encouraging support networks and social stakeholders could consider: interaction, and prioritizing fun; • Developing programs to introduce basic • Attracting participants through the skills and improve physical literacy for all provision of broader social and cultural ages, abilities and skill levels; experiences in addition to the sporting • Creating a welcoming environment and experience; ensuring that experiences are positive, • Ensuring equity in media representation encouraging, safe and fun; of a diversity of Canadians that avoids • Offering a variety of types, levels and stereotypes; modifications of sport programming to • Celebrating and promoting diversity and meet the interests and needs of a broad working from a mindset of inclusion; and range of potential participants; • Ensuring policy supports these goals. • Celebrating diversity and ensuring that Next Steps sport participation experiences are The contents of this report and the inclusive, non-judgemental, and free of accompanying supplements can be used as a harassment and inappropriate language; basis for consultation with multiple sectors • Honouring and supporting the choices to gather feedback to build upon the regarding type and level of involvement, foundation laid. Furthermore, there is a need competition and scheduling; to gather information about the types of • Increasing access to sport by opening policies and programs underway across the many types of buildings and facilities, country and for monitoring the participation ensuring physical and operational access; rates of members of target groups over time. • Ensuring facilities are maintained, This information, along with that of existing accessible and meet the privacy and reports on serving underrepresented groups, cultural needs of participants; needs to be actively shared and promoted. • Working with intersectoral and Now is the time to find ways to promote community partners and participants to identified approaches broadly and support ensure that programming meets the their implementation. Finally, efforts should needs of the community and that be evaluated and monitored to gauge their promotion efforts are accessible and impact, identify ways to improve, identify relevant; promising practices and continue to share • Providing professional development and what works with programmers and policy mentorship opportunities