Build your knowledge on gender equity and sport with our library of publications on topics including the psychosocial factors that impact sport participation for girls, how to make sure LGBTQI2S athletes and coaches feel safe and included, how to build a better board, and more. 

Best practices for organizations

Winning Plays: The Gender Equity Playbook Report

In sport, gender equity remains a goal and not yet a mission accomplished.1 Canadian Women & Sport’s Gender Equity Playbook (“the Playbook”) advances gender equity in sport by helping sport organizations examine and align their policies, processes and programs using an intersectional gender lens. This report provides sport leaders, funders and partners an inside look […]

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Diversity of girls and women

Engaging Newcomer Girls & Women: Physical Activity & Sport Handbook

Quality engagement in sport and physical activity can support the integration of newcomer girls and women into their communities and positively impact their overall quality of life. Engaging and integrating newcomers into all aspects of community life is a priority across Canada. This handbook outlines key considerations and provides recommendations based in practice so we […]

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Coaching and designing for girls

She Belongs: Building Social Connection for Lasting Participation in Sport

When a girl chooses to play sports, what she will gain goes far beyond kicking a ball, learning a new stroke, or crossing a finish line. Through positive sport experiences, girls are more likely to reap the benefits of sport participation and grow into confident and motivated leaders. Creating a positive social environment that intentionally […]

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Coaching and designing for girls

Actively Engaging Women and Girls: Addressing the Psychosocial Factors

“Actively Engaging Women and Girls: Addressing the Psycho-Social Factors” is a supplement to the Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L) foundation documents. The purpose of this resource is to increase awareness about the experiences of women and girls and provide recommendations to address the psycho-social factors that influence their athletic development, leadership and life-long participation in […]

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Best practices for organizations

The Leading Edge: Good Practices for Creating Gender-Equitable Boards in Sport

Research tells a compelling story of the impact that women have when serving as directors. While most of the research is based on for-profit organizations, it is nonetheless relevant to the non-profit sector, including sport and physical activity. Board gender diversity is a matter of good business as much as it is an issue of […]

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Leadership development

Women on Boards: A Guide to Getting Involved

It is generally recognized that women are often underrepresented in leadership positions, particularly in sport and recreation. There are numerous governing boards and committees associated with sport organizations throughout Canada. The opportunity exists to encourage women to participate in the leadership of these, and other organizations.  Women on Boards: A Guide to Getting Involved contains […]

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Diversity of girls and women

Leading the Way: Working with LGBT Athletes and Coaches

Although there has been progress in making sport more welcoming to those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans (transgender), two-spirited, queer or questioning (LGBTQ2S), much more work needs to be done. Coaches play a critical role in creating a sport environment that is safe and respectful for all, regardless of a participant’s ethnicity, religion, sexual […]

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Diversity of girls and women

Making the Case: Physical Activity and Women 55-70

The evidence is very clear. Canada’s baby boomers are aging, and as they age, every aspect of society must be prepared to provide services, programs and products to meet their needs.  Making the Case: Physical Activity and Women 55–70 looks at one very specific group within our aging population, and the impact that investing in […]

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Coaching and designing for girls

On the Move Handbook

The On the Move (OTM) Handbook has been designed as a practical guide for use by service providers for the creation of an OTM program. It is based on experiences of communities from across Canada who have implemented programs designed to encourage inactive girls and young women (ages 9-18) to participate in recreational sport and […]

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