Ophea’s Sector 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 and organizations serving equity-deserving groups through raising awareness of the resources and services available to Ontario educators.
We’re excited to highlight the Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN), a not-for-profit organization comprised of individuals from all backgrounds who support racial equity in the Canadian sports community. The ICSN credits the thousands of Black leaders throughout Canadian sport history who have and continue to promote physical, social, educational and cultural continuity to the people they mentor.
Through their three objectives of celebration, advocacy through allyship, and networking, the ICSN harnesses the power of sport to build inclusive, welcoming sport environments that uplift and affirm every athlete.
Tell us about your organization.
We are a Black-led organization devoted to empowering Black, Indigenous and People of Colour in the Canadian amateur sports community through three objectives: celebration, advocacy through allyship, and networking.
Our mission is to realize a more racially diverse and inclusive Canadian amateur sports system through creating pathways to increase the number of Canadian Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC) coaches, officials, sport administrators and support staff through community connection, education and professional development, and sharing of job opportunities and building resiliency skills.
What are some guiding principles that are important to your organization?
The inspiration for this organization is credited to the thousands of BIPOC leaders throughout Canadian amateur sport history who have and continue to promote physical, social, educational and cultural continuity to the people they mentor. Being a sport leader is all about empowering and supporting others. We are trailblazers in Canadian amateur sport history, and leaders through sport:
Celebration: Acknowledge and recognize former, current and future sport leaders who represent the rich history of racialized minorities in Canadian amateur sports.
Communication: Create platforms for racialized and non-racialized persons in the Canadian amateur sport community to discuss and deconstruct barriers in sport. Provide psycho-social support to racialized persons (athletes, coaches and sport administrators) navigating the sport sector. Utilize our brand and social platforms to promote racial inclusivity.
Competence: Create and collaborate with sport organizations to enhance the educational and professional development of BIPOC coaches, officials, sport administrators and support staff while educating our broader sport community regarding the barriers racialized minorities encounter within Canadian amateur sport experiences.
Courage: Encourage all members of our sport community to denounce racism and prejudice in sport through action and advocacy such as: dialogue, research, education, policy making and more.
What is an upcoming initiative that you are excited about?
Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN) is very excited to present the 3rd Annual Diversity in Sport Conference (DISC), held from May 2nd to 4th, 2025 at the Hilton Meadowvale Mississauga!
The Diversity in Sports Conference is an annual 3-day event that brings together individuals and organizations from across Canada to learn, connect, and collaborate on creating a more inclusive and equitable amateur sport system.
This year’s conference will feature hands-on rotational workshops led by:
Our esteemed speakers will include:
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Bruny Surin (Sprint Management Inc.)
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Dr. Sabrina Razack (Centre for Sport & Human Rights)
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Ige Egal (Play for Dignity)
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Martha Gumprich (Physical and Health Education Canada)
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Gerd Dembowski (FIFA Zurich)
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Brad Taylor & Dean Smith (Nova Scotia Hockey Association)
The Emerging BIPOC Leaders program, a specialized stream for young BIPOC leaders (ages 18-26), will also be running concurrently with the conference, and will offer the leaders workshops led by RISE To Win & RBC Training Ground.
Arash Madani (National Sports Broadcaster) will also return as conference MC/Host for a 3rd year!
This conference is open to everyone who is passionate about advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in sports. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and levels of experience.
How can our audience support your organization’s goals?
We welcome everyone to join ICSN’s 3rd Annual Diversity in Sports Conference to be a part of the solution in creating a more equitable sport landscape. To learn more, or to register for the Diversity in Sports Conference, visit https://inclusionincanadiansports.ca/2025disc/
ICSN is also proud to offer funding to grassroots organizations looking to attend the conference. Organizations are encouraged to apply for our Sport for All at the Diversity in Sports Conference Scholarship!
At ICSN, we are dedicated to building a sport community where racialized individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. We’re always looking to collaborate with organizations who share our vision for meaningful change. Visit our Partner With Us page to get involved.
Our network is open to everyone who believes in racial equity in sports. Join our community of advocates by becoming an ICSN Game Changer and help us build a stronger, more inclusive future in Canadian sport: Become an ICSN Game Changer!
Be sure to follow the ICSN on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay up to date about future events and initiatives! You can also sign up for their e-newsletter or contact them directly to learn more about their important work.
