Ophea’s Monthly Recognition Spotlight aims to illuminate the bright spots within the education sector through recognizing the critical work being done by community members and value-aligned organizations, and its impact on student and staff well-being. This initiative also aims to strengthen connections between the Ontario education sector with individuals and organizations serving equity-deserving groups through raising awareness of the resources and services available to Ontario educators. Read on to learn about this month’s featured Spotlight, MLSE LaunchPad, Canada’s premier living lab for youth Sport for Development.
Tell us about your organization.
Built and opened in 2017 by MLSE Foundation, with support from Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and its professional teams – the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC, and Toronto Argonauts - MLSE LaunchPad today is Canada’s premier living lab for youth Sport for Development.
The Sport for Development methodology employed is supported by extensive research that suggests the intentional use of sport and physical activity can build healthy communities and help youth reach and recognize their potential.
We strive to break barriers to access, engagement, safety and inclusion in sport and where all programs, partnerships and events are free for youth aged 6-29. Initiatives are organized with the intent of positively advancing measurable impact from our Youth Sport for Development Metrics Framework in four outcome pillars for participating youth, including:
- Healthy body: Get active, stay active, make healthy choices, and develop foundational competencies and joy in movement.
- Healthy mind: Build skills for life such as social competence and self-esteem.
- Ready for school: Develop skills to support health, wellness and success in school such as how to collaborate, think critically and grow as a leader.
- Ready for work: Facilitate skills and opportunity exposure to developing competencies, attitudes and exposure necessary to find work, thrive in work, and recognize one’s career opportunities and potential.
What are some guiding principles that are important to your organization?
Consistently working on one’s game is key to being a champion both on and off the field. At MLSE LaunchPad, this comes to life by living the core value of ‘Youth First, Always’ that is operationalized by embedding a ‘Research to Practice’ mindset throughout the culture of the organization. In simplest terms, we ask youth what they need and work on developing impactful programs and initiatives to address it.
From 2021 to 2024, for example, MLSE Foundation’s Change the Game Research project completed a series of population surveys, where youth across Ontario shared ideas for what a safer, braver future of sport would look, sound, and feel like arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. When the 2024 research report was released, more than 25,000 youth had reflected on the difference that positive quality play experiences can provide, the enduring challenges that get in the way, and crucially, what needs to change for things to be better. Challenges with social connection and development were prevalent, including 51% of youth reporting not having friends or peers to play with as a top reason for less frequent or no sport participation; and 82% of youth reported not having someone they felt they could talk to about difficult experiences such as with racism, discrimination, or bullying.
When asked about the most important change they would like to see to improve their future in sport and play, more than 60% of respondents called for programs and experiences that help them learn and develop social and emotional life skills.
Less than a year later, the Champions of Change school-day program was born, designed to equip youth with the skills to make their schools and communities safer, more inclusive and more equitable spaces.
What is a recent initiative that you are proud of?
Champions of Change is one of MLSE LaunchPad’s newest programs, initially launched in the fall of 2024 to support students in grades 4–6 during a critical stage of social and emotional development. The program is delivered one day a week over four weeks; the program invites twelve different classes per year to participate in life skill-based programming designed to strengthen students’ social competence.
The program was developed in response to the lasting impacts of COVID-19, after research revealed a steady decline in key social competence skills among youth. Champions of Change directly addresses this need through four interconnected themes: mental health, inclusion, anti-bullying, and social justice. Each week focuses on one theme, intentionally structured to encourage students to first reflect on themselves before considering their role within the broader community.
Following the 2024–2025 school year, early evaluation data highlighted the program’s strong impact. Results showed a significant increase in students’ social competence from pre- to post-program. Additionally, 80% of participating youth reported learning a new skill, while 93% shared that they had fun throughout the experience. For a first year of programming, these outcomes are both encouraging and impactful.
The Champions of Change team takes great pride in these results, as they reflect the program’s ability to equip students with meaningful skills that extend beyond the four walls of the building. While the program continues to evolve and grow, the success of its first year reinforces the importance of this work and the positive role programs like Champions of Change can play in supporting students' well-being and healthy youth development.
Learn more about MLSE LaunchPad on the MLSE Launchpad website or email them directly at: [email protected].
