Sports for Social Impact

Marika Warner is the Director of Research and Evaluation for community engagement and social impact initiatives at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE). Her portfolio includes program evaluation, academic research partnerships, and technology and innovation. Marika uses data to explore issues relating to Sport for Development, positive youth development, sport equity, and corporate social responsibility in professional sport.  Marika is also a retired professional dancer, a former physical therapist, and a mom. Bryan Heal is the Social Impact Research Lead at MLSE Launchpad, which involves helping a sports & entertainment enterprise drive wide ranging social impact outcomes through its investments in youth and communities - a career in sport he never thought possible growing up dabbling in baseball, football and basketball as a kid. MLSE Launchpad is located in Toronto’s urban centre of Moss Park, our 42,000sq ft space serves as an ambitious ‘living lab’ to explore and measure how sport can help improve the lives of youth. Sport For Development is a specific methodology supported by extensive research that suggests the intentional use of sport and physical activity can build healthy communities and help people reach their full potential. Located in Toronto’s urban centre of Moss Park, MLSE LaunchPad serves as an ambitious living lab to explore and measure how sport can help improve the lives of youth. MLSE LaunchPad was built and is supported by the MLSE Foundation to advance positive developmental outcomes for youth facing barriers aged 6-29.  Links:  Vote for the Sports for Social Impact podcast: ⁠https://www.sportspodcastgroup.com/sports_category/best-equality-and-social-impact-podcast/⁠ MLSE Launchpad: https://www.mlselaunchpad.org/  Change the Game research: https://www.mlsefoundation.org/news-stories/mlse-foundation-reveals-change-the-game-research-results Transathlete: https://www.transathlete.com/  ----  Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation! Sports for Social Impact was shortlisted for a Sports Podcast Award in 2023 under the 'Best Equality and Social Impact Podcast' category. Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sportsforsocialimpact Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SportsSocImpact)  Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Childreach Nepal is a leading organization that uses sports as a unique approach to engage children and their communities. With over 5 years’ experience under their belt, they have tailor designed curriculums that addresses the needs of the young people. A part of a global street football world network, they collaborate with like minded organizations to identify and mitigate issues like gender inequalities, child trafficking, child labor, school bullying etc. Childreach Nepal believes in the power of play and sports, creating safe spaces for young people to express themselves in the sports field and beyond.   Urgen Lama has been working with Childreach Nepal for the past 9 years, under various capacities, starting as the Programmes and Institutional Fundraising-Manager and now over looking the over all functioning of the organization as the Director. His experience over the past 17 years, has seen him working directly with displaced children and youth overlooking their rescue, rehabilitation, development and eventually their reintegration to designing programmes and implementing them with partner organizations.    Links:   Childreach Nepal: https://www.childreachnepal.org/   How are Canadian Youth Getting to School? https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/active-transportation-how-children-getting-school.html   Bike Share Toronto carbon emissions: https://twitter.com/bikeshareto/status/1617629005611425796?s=46&t=LbnCwbkrJQkgj4z6RLvhog   ----   Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation!   Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com   Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SportsSocImpact)   Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

The Canada Games are here to strengthen the fabric of Canada through the power of sport. They're here to elevate the best of our nation and inspire the best in our future generations. The Canada Games are here to spark greatness.  Links:  2023 CWG: https://www.2023canadagames.ca/  Canada Games: https://www.canadagames.ca/  Steel Heart by POESY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDFLBJfwD6Y IOC Climate Action Awards: https://olympics.com/athlete365/well-being/celebrating-the-climate-leaders-in-our-community/  Sports for Nature: https://thespot.ch/sports-for-nature/  ----  Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation!  Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com   Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SportsSocImpact)  Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Drew Chafetz has had a ball at his feet since before he can remember. By the age of 12, he had traveled with his family to 6 continents, finding the game and connecting with kids who shared the same passion. In a small town in Morocco in 2005, Drew saw children playing pickup in a dangerous alley, inspiring him to start love.fútbol. Drew is driven by his gratitude and love for the game and travel, interest in economics and social enterprise, and belief in self-expression as an instrument for personal and community development.  love.fútbol specializes in partnering with underserved communities to plan, build, activate, and sustain their own recreational spaces, and as a result, strengthen their communities. Rather than an end product, our projects are a process where in-depth community engagement and a critical focus on sustainability are interdependent and integral to the entire project.  Links:  Love Futbol: https://www.lovefutbol.org/  Inventory of Publicly Owned Sport and Recreation facilities in Canada: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=3410006501 State of Britain's pools: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/15/britain-pools-leisure-centres-nhs-public-health ----  Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation!  Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com  Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SportsSocImpact)  Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Katey Lippitt serves as the Country Director at Kids Play International based in Siem Reap, Cambodia. She is a postgraduate student-athlete from The University of Nottingham in Nottingham, England where she completed an MSc in Business and Management. Previously, she completed a BBA in Marketing with an emphasis in Sales from Georgia Southern University.  Kids Play International believes gender equity transforms communities and countries and that it is not only a woman’s right, it is a human right. KPI leverages the power of sport and the Olympic values in a safe space so girls and boys can positively challenge and shift harmful gender, social and cultural norms. Sport has been proven to provide a unique environment where harmful norms can be renegotiated giving girls the same opportunities as boys to reach their full potential. Genocide education and prevention goes hand in hand with gender equity as the assumptions and perceptions a society holds regarding the roles and responsibilities of each gender effect their power dynamics in and out of conflict.  Links:  Kids Plat International: https://kidsplayintl.org/  MLSE Foundation study: https://assets.website-files.com/5eb9ca182f6df037590c28ea/60f5a049b617f857b0d14be4_Change%20The%20Game%20Research_FINAL.pdf ----  Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation!  Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com  Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SportsSocImpact)  Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Stientje van Veldhoven is the Vice President and Regional Director for Europe and is based in the Europe Regional Office in The Hague. Stientje has been a prominent politician in the Netherlands, most recently serving as a Member of Cabinet responsible for Public Transport and Environment and as Minister for the Environment and Housing. She has also been a Member of Parliament, an international diplomat, representing the Dutch government in the European Union in Brussels and has been working with the European Commission DG research and development. Stientje has had longstanding involvement in environmental issues, especially related to climate change, energy and the circular economy. Stientje is based in the Europe Regional Office in The Hague.   World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global nonprofit organization that works with leaders in government, business and civil society to research, design, and carry out practical solutions that simultaneously improve people’s lives and ensure nature can thrive.   Links   World Resources Institute: https://www.wri.org/   Stientje van Veldhoven: https://www.wri.org/profile/stientje-van-veldhoven   Over 125 years of Olympic venues: post-Games use: https://olympics.com/ioc/olympic-legacy/over-125-years-of-olympic-venues  UN GA Resolution: https://press.un.org/en/2022/ga12476.doc.htm  ----   Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation!   Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com   Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SportsSocImpact)   Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Nicole Clow is the General Manager for the Wood Buffalo 2023 Arctic Winter Games.  Kerry Quade is the General Manager for Mat-Su 2024 Arctic Winter Games.  The Arctic Winter Games (AWG) is a high profile circumpolar sport competition for northern and arctic athletes. The AWG provide an opportunity to strengthen sport development in the participants’ jurisdictions, to promote the benefits of sport, to build partnerships, and to promote culture and values. They celebrate sport, social exchange and cultures. The AWG provide an opportunity for the developing athlete to compete in friendly competition while sharing cultural values from northern regions around the world.  Links:  Arctic Winter Games: https://www.arcticwintergames.org/  AWG 2023: https://awg2023.org/  AWG 2024: https://www.awg2024.org/  COP 15 Biodiversity Sport announcement: https://www.sailsofchange.org/sports-for-nature-a-new-framework-to-help-sports-protect-biodiversity/  Skate Canada: https://skatecanada.ca/2022/12/definition-of-team-updated-to-reflect-gender-diversity-across-the-podium-pathway/  ----  Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation!  Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com   Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SportsSocImpact)  Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Elena Mercedes is a former member of the Women’s Saber National Fencing Team of Guatemala. She holds a Master’s degree in Sports Management and a Bachelor’s in International Relations. Her goal is to generate transformative change in and through sports to accomplish both social and economic development goals in Latin America. Through the project, the aim is to improve access to sports/physical activities in local communities by implementing socially responsible initiatives that:  1. Increase the opportunities for physical activity participation for least active groups (such as girls, women, older adults, rural and indigenous communities, and vulnerable or marginalized populations)  2. Facilitate access to safe, regular, and affordable or free sports physical activities in public spaces  3. Raise knowledge and awareness about the benefits of applying socially responsible principles in sports events/activities in Latin America.   Links:   Elane Mercedes: https://olympics.com/ioc/sport-and-active-society/young-leaders/elena-mercedes-haro-lima   TfL Press Release - New TfL data shows continued boom in walking and cycling, with almost twice as many now living near a high-quality cycle route: https://tfl-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/tfl-press-release-new-tfl-data-shows-continued-boominwalking-and-cycling-with-almost-twice-asmany-now-living-near-a-high-quality-cycle-route   Commuting 2021 Canadian Census: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/census/census-engagement/community-supporter/commuting   Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Changed Commuting Habits for Good? https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/221130/dq221130c-eng.htm?utm_source=cst&utm_medium=smo&utm_campaign=statcan-2021census-diss-commuting-en   Bixi: https://twitter.com/BIXImontreal/status/1595873032630943748   More Victorians are cycling, walking to work: https://www.capitaldaily.ca/news/more-victorians-cycling-walking-to-work-census-data ----   Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation!   Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com  Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SportsSocImpact)   Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Football for Forests (F4F) is a non-profit initiative on a mission to restore tropical forests through the power of football. Forest destruction is often depicted in football pitches. They are working to flip this narrative: the football pitch becomes a symbol of forest restoration. They are targeting the biggest crowd in the world with their digital app - 3.5 billion football fans across the globe. They want to restore 10,000 football pitches of forest, equivalent to ca. 7,000 hectares and nearly 12 million trees over the next five years. They track their impact through robust and transparent community-based monitoring and reporting system, enabled through our digital app. Szymon Mikolajczyk is the Program Coordinator with Football for Forests. He is driven by accelerating climate action through environmental markets. Advising on international carbon markets, corporate net-zero strategies, and climate financing.  Articles:  F4F video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyMa9IylKeQ&feature=youtu.be F4F: https://footballforforests.com/ City of Calgary: 2023-2026 Service Plans and Budget: https://www.calgary.ca/our-finances/2023-2026-service-plans-budgets.html Calgary's 5As Network: https://engage.calgary.ca/pathwaybikeway Montreal's Budget: https://montreal.ca/en/articles/montreals-2023-budget-2023-2032-and-ten-year-capital-works-program-40201 ---- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SportsSocImpact) Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Koun, a Lebanese NGO, started operating in 2018 in refugee camps and community centres across the country, and was registered in January 2020. Koun aims at promoting mental health, empowerment and peace in marginalized communities in Lebanon through Yoga. We are driven by the belief that well-being is a condition that every individual should have, regardless of age, race, or social class. Yoga is an ancient body-mind practice and an efficient psychosocial support activity that works on every aspect of one’s being. Each yoga activity focuses on enhancing the practitioner’s self-awareness while releasing their muscular, mental and emotional tensions, leading to an enhanced psychological state.  Sandy Boutros, a Lebanese activist and yoga instructor, founded her non-profit Koun to promote mental health and total well-being in the most disadvantaged communities in Lebanon through Yoga. She believes that yoga should be accessible to everyone regardless of age, race and social class. Koun is the perfect way for Sandy to propagate yoga not only as a powerful tool for well-being but also as a discipline that promotes inclusion, equity and empowerment.  Articles:  Koun: https://koun.org/  17th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Sport: https://rm.coe.int/msl17-10-resolutions/1680a8bcf1 UK's National Health Service to prescribe Dancing and Surfing: https://beyondsport.org/articles/nhs-prescribe-surfing-and-dancing-to-help-anxiety-in-the-uk/ ---  Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation!  Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com  Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SportsSocImpact)  Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Rishav Bhowmik is an architect and also a national level air rifle shooter. He got selected as a Young Sports Maker at Global Sports Week in Paris 2020 and 2022. He has done a Master trainer workshop in Olympic Value Education Programme and has been working with a NGO to help create a better future. His IOC Young Leaders project is called SportxALL.  SportxALL aims to provide free training and expert coaching to underprivileged children in the locality. The idea is to create an online platform which will connect all the sports clubs with everyone who wants to play sports. This will create traction for the clubs and in partnership with the project, the underprivileged kids will receive free training. These kids will also be provided with the appropriate sports equipment and sports goods to further their sports careers and journeys.  The IOC Young Leaders programme, launched in 2016, empowers talents to leverage the power of sport to make a positive difference in their communities.With the support of seed-funding from the IOC and a network of mentors, these inspiring young people have delivered over 100 initiatives reaching over 30,000 individual participants.As agents of Olympism they have also spoken at many international events spreading the message of sport for good and 17 IOC YLs are currently IOC Commission Members.  Articles:  Sport and low-income neighbourhoods: Commission publishes report https://sportcommission.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/CWB-Commission-Summative-Report.pdf  IOC Young Leaders: https://olympics.com/ioc/sport-and-active-society/young-leaders ---  Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation!  Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com  Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SportsSocImpact)  Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

This week is our first solo episode with some featured guests! Host David Thibodeau attended COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt as a Canadian Youth Delegate. This episode is all about his experience at COP27. He discusses what he got up to each day, what it was like to be at COP and how sports can relate back to climate action.  Articles:  Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park: https://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/our-story/how-we-work/environmental-sustainability All you need to know about Tokyo 2020 sustainability:  https://olympics.com/ioc/news/all-you-need-to-know-about-tokyo-2020-sustainability COP 27 Egypt: https://cop27.eg/#/ City of Ottawa: Climate change and energy: https://ottawa.ca/en/living-ottawa/environment-conservation-and-climate/climate-change-and-energy#section-3db00806-5c90-4cce-8768-8bda52ad2d79 Cars, planes, trains: where do CO2 emissions from transport come from?: https://ourworldindata.org/co2-emissions-from-transport EU CO2 Emissions from cars: facts and figures: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20190313STO31218/co2-emissions-from-cars-facts-and-figures-infographics Trees as Infrastructure: https://treesasinfrastructure.com/#/ All Draft Texts from COP27: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Z0wyEGoU_6da9SGNlsqzyi8PPEa0fkeIYjne4Xcmezo/htmlview#gid=0 Progress was made at COP27, but more is needed, says climate activist: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/progress-was-made-at-cop27-but-more-is-needed-says-climate-activist-1.6659381 COP27 summit agrees to help climate victims. But it does nothing to stop fossil fuels: https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/19/world/cop27-egypt-agreement-climate-intl/index.html ---  Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation!  Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com  Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SportsSocImpact)  Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Protect our Winters Canada (POW) is a passionate community of enthusiasts, professional athletes and industry brands uniting the outdoor community to advocate for policy solutions to climate change. They believe that their love of adventure in nature demands their participation in the fight to save and protect it.  Anik Champoux is a Program Director with POW Canada. Having grown up in the ski industry in Quebec, Anik has always been a passionate skier. Through the ski industry she was able to take on many exciting professional opportunities, most formidably working as the Whistler Blackcomb Brand Manager for over a decade. With a BCom in Strategic Management and Sustainable Development, she has always been driven to create purposeful campaigns and movements using the brand voice for good. Having the opportunity to join POW as the interim Program Director is truly a dream come true with being able to use her skills and experience to advance climate policy. As a mom of 2 young boys, it is important to her to give them a good example of merging purpose with work and play. She resides in Whistler, BC. Game on, Climate Change  Articles:  WHO Global Report on Physical Activity: https://www.who.int/teams/health-promotion/physical-activity/global-status-report-on-physical-activity-2022  ---  Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation!  Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com  Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SportsSocImpact)  Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Dan Wilcock grew up in Australia, the Philippines and the United States, competing in multiple sports, including swimming, soccer, athletics, cricket, field hockey and dragon boat racing. He then specialised in snowboarding, following winter around the world and had the opportunity to represent Australia as both a competitor and a coach. During his career in snowboarding, Dan also developed experience in sport program management, talent development and events management. Dan holds Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the Australian National University, and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Ottawa. He is also a qualified lawyer in both Canada and Australia. Dan has served in a number of executive roles in the Government of Canada, in areas including competition law, marketing law, environment and climate change, and international relations. Join the Canadian Alliance on Sports for Climate Action: Born from the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework - the Canadian Alliance is a community of practice on sport & sustainability issues in Canada. Participants collectively leverage the power of sport to raise awareness of climate issues and improve sustainability in Canadian sport.  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/canadian-alliance-on-sports-for-climate-action/  danwilcock@gmail.com  Articles:  Timeline: Hockey Canada's handling of 2018 sexual assault allegation  Sports for Climate Action IOC Sustainability ---  Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation!  Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com  Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@SportsSocImpact)     Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Greg Dingle, Ph.D., is a Lecturer in Sport Management, and a Researcher at the Centre for Sport and Social Impact, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. Greg’s research is focused on the impacts of climate change on sport, and associated risks, vulnerability, resilience, and adaptation responses. Greg has published refereed articles in Managing Sport and Leisure, Science of the Total Environment, the International Journal of Sport Marketing & Sponsorship, and the International Journal of Environmental Sustainability. He has co-edited the Routledge book, Sport and environmental sustainability: Research and strategic management, and contributed to the Routledge handbook of sport and the environment.  Sport Ecology Group   Articles:   Sports for Climate Action  Addressing Climate Change Through Sport    Prospective Associations of Daily Step Counts and Intensity With Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Incidence and Mortality and All-Cause Mortality  ---    Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation!    Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com     Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact     Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Stephen McMcurray joined Capital Bike because of his interest in getting people active and improving access for everyone. Riding to school, work, play and getting groceries is a wonderful way for him to interact and enjoy the cities he lives in. Capital Bike's aim is to be there for everyone who wants to enjoy cycling in the Capital Region (Victoria, B.C.) – whether you’re new to the Region and perhaps just learning to ride, dusting off a bike that’s been the garage for a while, or an experienced rider who wants to connect with our vibrant cycling community. We want to be there to provide you with the skills, knowledge, and connections to make cycling an easy and fun transportation option. Become a member: https://capitalbike.ca/membership/  Articles:  On your bike: If we all cycled like the Dutch, global emissions would drop nearly 700 million tonnes  Bike Lanes, On-Street Parking and Business Cycling and walking can help reduce physical inactivity and air pollution, save lives and mitigate climate change New study reveals the social benefits of cycling and walking in the EU  World Cup captains campaign to wear rainbow armbands in Qatar  ---  Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation!  Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com   Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact   Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Sustainable eating pilot show huge potential for football fans to help tackle climate change Nearly 6,000 tonnes of CO2 could be saved if Premier League fans just swapped to veggie burgers for one weekend. The impact would be even bigger if they were inspired to make simple changes in their everyday lives. Manchester is Green was a three-week challenge run by environmental charity Hubbub in May 2022. Through a series of activities including cook-alongs and match-day challenges, 72 Manchester United and Manchester City fans and their households were supported to eat better for their pockets, for their health, and for the planet. The project set out to explore if football could be used as a hook to inspire fans and their households to eat better for the environment, and flip some of the stereotypes about football and food habits on their head: to see if we could shift from burgers, chips and pies to beans, pulses, and sweet potato fries. Hubbub has published an impact report and encourages organisations interested in collaborating to email hello@hubbub.org.uk Articles: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_5573 https://issuu.com/hubbubuk/docs/manchester_is_green_impact_report_recommendation -- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast!  Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation!   Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com   Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact   Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Wattsgood is a company based in France that produces sport equipment using recycled materials. This isn't just any sport equipment either. It harnesses human power to create electricity. Working to create a circular economy in the sport equipment industry, Wattsgood is at the leading edge of innovation.  Cyril Masson is the Associate Director of Wattsgood.   https://www.wattsgood.com/   https://www.getoffthegrid.ca/   ---   Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com   Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact   Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Tracy Edwards MBE skippered the first all-female crew to sail around the world when she and her team raced Maiden in the 1989/90 Whitbread Round the World Race. Despite overwhelming odds and negativity, they won two legs and came second overall. Tracy was awarded and MBE and became the first women to win the Yachtsman of the Year Award in its 34 year history. She then went on to skipper the first all-female non stop around the world record attempt and managed Maiden II the first ever fully mixed-sex professional racing team. Tracy founded The Maiden Factor in the process of rescuing of her beloved yacht Maiden. In 2016 she decided she wanted to do more than just restore Maiden, she also wanted to make sure she was used for something special. For Tracy, the drive to get girls who are currently denied the basic right of an education into school, is particularly poignant as she was expelled from school at 15. She now knows what she gave away. Maiden is a Global Ambassador for the Empowerment of Girls through Education 1.    Maiden inspires women and girls all over the world 2.    Maiden raises funds for girls’ educational programmes around the world 3.    Maiden shows, by example, what girls can achieve if they embrace STEM subjects News articles: https://thecgf.com/news/honouring-power-sport-indigenous-reconciliation -- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast!  Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation!  Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com  Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact  Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Muhammed Kisirisa-Mo is a former armature soccer player, his passion for sport drove him to start Golden Boots Uganda in 2019.  Growing up from Bwaise, the biggest slum area in Kampala capital and raised from a family of more than 20 children, Mo started playing football from the age of 11 which eventually earned him a high school scholarship. At 19 years, he established a football academy to help, even the poorest and most marginalized children have fun and enjoy their childhood. In 2013, he became the first African recipient of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award-Conviction. While in the US, he shared a stage with celebrities like Michael Bolton, Christina Aguilera and a light moment with the GOAT-Muhammad Ali, his famous quote’’ Boxing introduced me to the World” inspired him to use sport as a tool for social change. Golden Boots Uganda-GoBU is nonprofit NGO empowering young people to build resilience, secure their future through sport, and become change agents in their communities.  https://goldenbootsug.org/about-us/  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMgPgemTJasKnZclNDvn1yQ How can we raise the profile of sport for development? Let us know your thoughts! Reach out to us on Twitter (@SportsSocImpact) or send us an email sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/ Articles: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/soccer/olympic-soccer-paris-womens-final-1.6534674 https://www.uefa.com/womenseuro/news/0276-15748cb0ba74-f342af5f57b8-1000--biggest-women-s-euro-crowds-2022-finals-the-best-attended-ever/ https://twitter.com/baseballcanada/status/1556686583461560321

Matt Rogan (author) is the co-founder of Two Circles, writer, and respected sports business leader. Matt led the business from 2011-2020, during which time it grew to 300+ people and worked with the 6 biggest rights holders in the world. He is a non-executive director of the English Institute of Sport, delivering technology and sport science to Britain's Olympic and Paralympic teams as well as a Member of UK Sport’s World Class Events panel bringing major sports events to the UK. Matt’s second book, ‘All to Play For: How Sport Can Reboot our Future’ was recently published by Penguin Random House. Matt is currently travelling the world talking about its implications – from schools in the UK to Paris where we met, from Manchester United Football Club to the International Olympic Committee. The book has recently been shortlisted for the Sunday Times Sports Book Awards 2022. After a fractious period following the financial crash of 2008/9, and the recent devastation of the Covid-19 pandemic, sport - one of our few remaining collective rituals - is entering its golden age. An increasingly acknowledged powerful force for good, it is undergoing a dramatic transformation that will positively impact our lives, on and off the pitch. From the shared experience of a nationwide event that makes us celebrate together and the individual benefits to mind and body of lacing up your trainers, to the political leverage of a sportsperson's Twitter account, All to Play For is a roadmap for the way that sports can and do unite us in the worst of times.  What are the changes you’d like to see happen in how you engage with, participate in and consume sports? Reach out to us on Twitter (@SportsSocImpact) or send us an email sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Kelly-Ann Paul is the President and CEO of the Canada Games Council. Before this she was the Senior Vice President Games Delivery and has held several other positions in the Canada Games Council.  The Canada Games brings together more than 2,000 able-bodied athletes and athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities for the largest amateur multi-sport event in the country. Alternating between winter and summer, they span over 30 different sports to showcase the very best in Canadian sport and spirit. The Games are held under the stewardship of the Canada Games Council who provide continuity, leadership and support. We’re here to foster ongoing partnerships and ensure the Games leave an enduring legacy on communities from coast to coast to coast.  What do you think benefits and drawbacks to hosting mega sport events? Let us know your thoughts! Reach out to us on Twitter (@SportsSocImpact) or send us an email sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com  Thank you to TakingitGlobal , the Government of Canada, and Canada Service Corps for generously supporting our project! Learn more about #RisingYouth grants and apply for your own youth-led project at www.risingyouth.ca! #leaderstoday Articles:  How Much Does it Cost to Host the Olympics?: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-host-the-olympics/ Vancouver named FIFA World Cup 2026 official host city: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022TACS0037-000961 Official Host City Olympics Agenda 2020 : https://olympics.com/ioc/olympic-agenda-2020 Memorial Cup creates at least $10 million in spinoff economic stimulus: https://tj.news/greater-saint-john/101911990 Canada Games 2022-26 Strategic Plan: https://www.canadagames.ca/news/canada-games-council-strives-to-inspire-canada-through-sport-with-new-2022-2026-strategic-plan --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Ashleigh Milani hails from Winnipeg, MB, where she grew up playing any sport that she could. She has spent the last 8 years working and volunteering as a coach across Canada in the sports of rowing, competitive swimming, and strength and conditioning. She believes that the foundation of any successful sport program is based on an educated coaching staff, and a supportive learning environment for all. She is very excited to help create these dynamics throughout the sporting world of New Brunswick, and work to provide all coaches support in becoming the best that they can be. Ashleigh holds a Bachelor’s of Kinesiology from the University of Manitoba, and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.  Ashleigh is the host of the Coach's Plan Podcast Plan de Coach. The Coach’s Plan Podcast is a podcast for coaches, by coaches! Whether coaching is a part of your daily life or a newly budding interest, the Coach’s Plan Podcast will be bringing you up to date on all the latest on coaching and sport education in Canada. Check it out wherever you get your podcasts!  Coach NB strives to be a leader in educating and developing coaches in order to provide a quality and safe sporting experience. Coach NB plays a key role in leading the way through coaching excellence. We are the Provincial/Territorial Delivery Partner (PTCR) of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) where we are responsible for delivering but are not limited to Multi-Sport NCCP products. In addition, we celebrate and promote the significant role that Coaches play within the NB sport system by offering various Professional Development (PD) workshops, funding opportunities, apprenticeship/mentoring experiences, and more! Thank you to TakingitGlobal , the Government of Canada, and Canada Service Corps for generously supporting our project! Learn more about #RisingYouth grants and apply for your own youth-led project at www.risingyouth.ca! #leaderstoday --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Danny Corr is a Martial Arts Coach and Co-Founder of Fight to Unite. He is also the founder of ZKJ Ltd a not for profit community Dojo, and chair of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Peace Through MMA commission. Fight to Unite is alternative education programme. It supports young people who are struggling in society and/or not in formal education, employment or training to return to their studies, gain qualifications and enter the job market. The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) has launched a “Peace through MMA” Commission as part of its commitment to harnessing sport to mitigate violence and engender peace, with a focus on developing programmes to socially benefit young people. Learn more about the IMMAF's Peace Through MMA initiative here: https://immaf.org/2020/07/15/immaf-launches-peace-through-mma-commission/  Thank you to TakingitGlobal , the Government of Canada, and Canada Service Corps for generously supporting our project! Learn more about #RisingYouth grants and apply for your own youth-led project at www.risingyouth.ca! #leaderstoday --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Iva Glibo, is an ENGSO youth Committee member representing the Croatian Olympic Committee. She is a Research Associate and PhD Candidate at the Technical University of Munich. Her areas of interest and study are sustainable development, physical activity and mental health, monitoring and evaluation.  ENGSO Youth is the independent youth body of the European Sports NGO (ENGSO).  ENGSO Youth focuses on the youth sport-for-all sector in Europe and represents young Europeans under the age of 35 in sports in 34 countries. Thank you to TakingitGlobal , the Government of Canada, and Canada Service Corps for generously supporting our project! Learn more about #RisingYouth grants and apply for your own youth-led project at www.risingyouth.ca! #leaderstoday --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Noémie Claret is the Managing Director of Global Sports Week Paris. Formerly she held the roles of Communication Director of Sport dans la Ville, Head of Brand Comms of the Paris 2024 Bid Committee and Managing Director of Havas Sports & Entertainment Brazil.  Laura Stargel is a graduate student at the German Sport University in Cologne studying International Sport Development and Politics. Her research is at the intersection of equitable resilience and access to sport participation. She recently served as the Sustainability Coordinator for the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee. Her work has been recognized by Global Sports Week, selected as a two-time Young Sports Maker, and as a speaker at the University of Louisville, Florida Climate Week, and on the Climate Champions podcast, among others. Laura also plays ruby in the Washington DC area. Sport is facing a global revolution.  Around the world, the speed of digitization is matched only by the pace of societal change. Today, sport requires a new mindset, one that transcends profits and addresses the expectations of the new generation. We are convinced that sport, in this context of transformation, can play a bigger role in addressing the major social challenges of our age. It’s time for action, to reconnect sport with its true purpose and redefine its role in society into a force for good and a force for innovation. At the intersection between the worlds of business, culture, media, politics and civil society, GSW curates, informs, connects and empowers a community made of all the actors who shape the future of sport. To do so, GSW offers a privileged platform and setting, which looks to federate the wider sports ecosystem beyond the traditional issues of the sports industry. --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Eric Houghton has been involved with the Homeless World Cup since he was the England captain back in 2003. But it was a chance conversation with one of his mates Dave Morton – who doesn’t like football one bit – that led to them launching the Homeless Games. There are huge benefits for each and every homeless person who takes part. A chance to improve their health, both physical and mental. Developing their confidence and pride. Helping them to find new pathways, gaining new skills and accessing much-needed support. Since 2010, The Homeless Games (THG) has hosted the two-day annual Homeless Games in Liverpool, providing ‘Olympic style’ games for people who are or have experienced homelessness in last two years with participants coming from across the UK to take part. THG has arranged and organised provision for health and well-being stalls and services including Cancer Awareness, Drink Awareness, Substance Misuse, Sexual Health Advice, Massage, Health Checks, Premier League Health Courses, Dental Advice, Healthy Eating and Dietary Advice were made available to all those who attended the main two day event.  These were offered in conjunction with the local area Primary Care Trusts, the local Premier League Football Clubs (Everton Foundation and Liverpool Football Club), Age Concern and Local Authorities. Twitter: @HomelessGames Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Homeless-Games-138993546124986 --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Conny Wenting is a passionate all-around business leader with over 30 years of experience in a wide rande of marketing, (solution) sales, strategy, operations and people management roles. She is a strong team builder and driver of success. During one of her sport leaderships programs, she challenged herself in using sport as a driving force  in personal development and healing and decided to try to get the Invictus Games to the Netherlands. She succeeded and the Games are happening April 16-22, 2022. Sam Newell was part of the communications team for the inaugural London 2014 Invictus Games. After the Games, he joined Step Up To Serve, the charity that coordinates the #iwill Campaign for youth social action. He remained a fan of the Games and briefly supported the communications team for the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 before joining the Invictus Games Foundation full time from September 2018. The Invictus Games is an international adaptive sporting event for wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women, both serving and veterans. The Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of all those who serve their country. The inaugural Invictus Games was held in London in September 2014. Since then, the Invictus Games have been held in Orlando, USA (2016), Toronto, Canada (2017), and Sydney, Australia (2018). --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Mathatho Manaka is currently a Masters in Philosophy (MPhil) student pursing her research in the topic of ‘Delivery on sustainable development programmes by non-governmental organisations in the sport-for-development sector in Johannesburg’. Her goal is to serve sport on multiple platforms whilst making an impact. Rough Diamond is a university sports development recruitment project that uses sport as a tool for long-term impact. The project aims to encourage universities to recruit sports talent from developing communities with the support of dedicated bursaries. Instagram: instagram.com/roughdiamond_project/ Facebook: facebook.com/roughdiamondproject/ --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Anna Louise Bradley is both an urban psychologist and geographer in training, as well as a fitness professional, based in Amsterdam. Working with STIPO and Placemaking Europe since 2018, Anna has worked on projects using an integral placemaking and feminist approach to coalesce the perspectives of health, well-being, public space, inclusivity, and participatory processes to make our cities more liveable and active. Specifically, Anna is passionate to facilitate our built environment to foster physical activity in our daily lives to bring out upwards spirals for greater public health measures, social cohesion, and sense of belonging. You can learn more about her work on this topic, and specifically with the P.A.R.K. project, funded by Erasmus+ Sports, here:  https://placemaking-europe.eu/listing/placemaking-for-active-recreation-kit-park/ Placemaking Europe is a network for placemaking in Europe, connecting practitioners, academics, community leaders, market actors and policy makers throughout Europe in the field of placemaking, public space, social life, human scale and the city at eye level. They develop and share knowledge; develop, test and use tools; exchange ideas; and actively shape projects together. They support and collaborate with organisations who want to work on placemaking, social life, human scale, and a better eye level experience. What is placemaking? The quality of the public space defines the participation of citizens. Cities need great streets which connect to even better places. A public zone has to be intuitively useable. Users should want to stay and feel home. The urban architecture has to provide good plinths (active ground floors) in the human scale. Placemaking Europe is connecting a growing number of practitioners, academics, community leaders, market parties and policy makers throughout Europe. The members employ placemaking tools and work on public spaces. The network shares knowledge, exchanges ideas, and actively shapes projects together. Placemaking Europe - Placemaking for Active Recreation Kit (PARK) Website: https://placemaking-europe.eu/listing/placemaking-for-active-recreation-kit-park/ STIPO Website: https://stipo.nl/ --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Mogens Kirkeby is the President of the International Sport & Culture Association (ISCA) since 2007. He holds a Master of Science in Sport, organizational development, sport policies, social sciences and international politics from Copenhagen University, Denmark. Mogens is a member of the Council of Europe’s Consultative Committee of the sport collaboration EPAS and a board member of the Danish sport for all organisation DGI and the Danish Outdoor Council.  The International Sport & Culture Association (ISCA) is an umbrella association for grassroots sport organisations. ISCA consists of 290 member organisations from 90 countries. Their mission is to empower organisations worldwide to enable citizens to the enjoy their Human Right to MOVE. ISCA delivers Grassroots Sport Diplomacy and organizes the bi-annual MOVE Congress gathering grassroots sport leaders from across the world. ISCA host the Now We MOVE Campaign including MOVE Week. --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Heather Chapple is a community builder who is passionate about bringing people, tools, and technology together to build adaptive ecosystems. She holds a Master’s in Social Policy and Development from the London School of Economics and is trained in design thinking, data analysis and public engagement. Her career has spanned international humanitarian response coordination with the United Nations, leading a civic innovation lab to build smart city prototypes, and partnering with industry-leading clients to develop agile data solutions. With ActiveCITY, she's thrilled to be bringing together partners in the active economy to strengthen this important sector. You can contact her at: heather@activecitycollective.ca ActiveCITY is a collective of agencies and organizations focused on connecting the active economy to help all Calgarians live happier, healthier, more active lives. The active economy contributes 3.3 billion to Calgary's economy and is a vital cornerstone of the story of our city. Learn more at: https://www.activecitycollective.ca/ --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Serene Porter is a Halifax-based multidisciplinary artist, graphic designer, and facilitator from the Six Nations of the Grand River territory (Mohawk Nation) in Ontario. In her work as an art therapist, as well as in the Integrated Learning workshops she has developed and delivered, Serene has helped people of all ages to explore healing and creative expression through art, nature, and cultural connection. Most recently, Serene serves as Director of Culture, Engagement and Legacy for the North American Indigenous Games (NAIG), where her artistic talents, engagement experience, facilitation skills, and abiding passion for Indigenous sport and culture make her an integral part of the NAIG leadership team. With a strong foundation of personal and professional experience, Serene Porter holds a unique skill set and perspective that allows her to act as a catalyst for others, as they seek to discover their own resiliency, determination, and boundless creativity. NAIG 2023: Kjipuktuk, as it is called by the Mi’kmaw Nation will host competitions in 16 sports over seven days and within 21 venues across Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Dartmouth and Millbrook First Nation, Nova Scotia. NAIG 2023 will bring together more than 5000 athletes, coaches and team staff from 756 Indigenous Nations celebrating, sharing and reconnecting through sport and culture with the help of 3000 volunteers. NAIG 2023 will take place from July 15-23. Find out more about NAIG 2023 and how you can volunteer on their website: https://naig2023.com/ Find out more about the NAIG Council and it's history: http://naigcouncil.com/ Read more about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and their Calls to Action (CTA) (the sport-specific CTAs are 87, 88, 89, 90, 91): https://nctr.ca/records/reports/ --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

In this episode we explore the immense power that athletes have by using their voice to talk about challenging issues in society. From Simone Biles talking about mental health at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, to Lebron James speaking out on social injustice, to over 300 British Olympians and Paralympians signed a letter to United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling on the government to lead a green recovery as the UK deals with the coronavirus pandemic. These issues that athletes are passionate about are real and very serious.   We speak with Anastasia Bucsis who is a Canada Games alumni, 2X Olympic Speedskater, and born and raised in Calgary. In the lead up to Sochi 2014 Anastasia came out publicly in opposition to Russia's anti LGBTQ+ laws, and competed as the only 'out' athlete from North America. Following her athletic career Anastasia joined the CBC Sports team where she launched and hosted the Player's Own Voice Podcast. She is a host and analyst at CBC, hosting on multiple platforms while still staying connected to her speedskating roots, by providing colour commentary on Road to the Olympic Games. Anastasia is a passionate advocate for mental health issues, eradicating homophobia in sport, and telling the stories of Canada's High Performance athletes. Be sure to check out the Player's Own Voice Podcast anywhere you get your podcasts! --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Val de Falbaire is the founder of Precious Plastics Mauritius and one of the IOC Young Leaders (2019-2020). Val grew up with sport and had a career in swimming and triathlon for about 15 years. In 2014, he was elected by the Mauritius National Olympic Committee as a Young Change-Maker and started his project called AgingWell which is focused on tackling the high levels of diabetes and obesity in Mauritius through sport activities. He has since started Precious Plastics Mauritius.  Precious Plastics Mauritius (PPM) started with a team of volunteers, who constructed two recycling machines and some moulds. Today there are seven recycling machines that can make beach tennis racquets, sport medals, swimming paddles, rock climbing grips and other non sport related products.  Every two weeks, beach cleanups are organized and volunteers and school kids are invited to join and realize the impact of plastic pollution. The beach cleanup always starts with a visit to the recycling hub and fisheries with some beach games using recycled sports equipment.  --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Ryan Pelley currently leads Commonwealth Sport Canada’s SportWORKS Program, which integrates sport development and sport for development programming to promote individual and community social development, and build national sport system capacity, throughout the Commonwealth. He  grew up in a small community on the northwest coast of British Columbia. The town of Kitimat is on the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation. Like many rural living youth, he played all the sports that were available to him. He feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate and understands that this is not the case for all youth in Canada, especially nowadays. Sport played a role in shaping who he is and what he does through the values he gained. Working in sport and sport for development over the past 12 years has provided Ryan the opportunity to live and work in some of the world’s most unique locations, including as a Canadian SportWORKS Officer on the remote island of Saint Helena. Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) Founded as a legacy of the inaugural Commonwealth Games in 1930, CSC is a founding member of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and is responsible for the growth and development of the Commonwealth sport movement in Canada. CSC is a registered non-profit, private charity, comprised of 40 Members (16 individuals and 24 national sport organizations), governed by an elected Board of Directors, and supported by a small cadre of staff. Their vision is Commonwealth sport inspires and unites Canadians by championing excellence, inclusion and human rights.  SPORT WITH A SOCIAL PURPOSE Commonwealth Sport is “Sport with a Social Purpose”: First International Games to achieve Gender Equality, with more medaling events for women than men. First, and only, international Games to have a Reconciliation Action Plan, respecting and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and leave a lasting and meaningful legacy through employment and training, procurement, and showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultures. First, and only, international Games to integrate a Para-Sport program as full medal status. First International Major Games franchise holder to embed Human Rights across all operations and programs. Commonwealth Sport Canada: https://commonwealthsport.ca/ SportWORKS: https://commonwealthsport.ca/sportworks/sportworks-home.html --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Sport is key for social inclusion of all people. It has been identified as an important tool for breaking down barriers such as language, religion, gender, ability and borders to create a more inclusive society. Special Olympics (SO) Singapore is part of a global inclusion movement using sports, health, education & leadership programme to end discrimination against and empower people with intellectual disabilities. SO Singapore provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Those activities give them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship.  Jean-Phillipe: Is a 36-year-old French citizen based in Singapore for 4 years, engaged with my future wife. He is the Director of business Development in an engineering and inspection Asian regional firm for Energy and Sustainable sectors. He is passionate about triathlon and running, and is a half-ironman finisher x4 times and I am targeting the Ironman 70.3 world championship in 2022. 6 months ago, a good Singaporean friends and member of his triathlon club introduced him to SO outreach program and Norman, as I wanted to volunteer and giving back to the community.   Norman: Is 33 this year and currently working as a project executive in an urban farm. He is quite the runner himself, starting in the early years with basketball before moving into long distance running, including ultramarathons. He heard about SO Singapore in 2014 from a lecturer who was then the President of Special Olympics Singapore - she made a statement saying that she bet the majority of us could't outrun the fastest athlete in the outreach program. That spurred him to start volunteering with SO Singapore a try since he wanted to impart his running knowledge and experience somewhere. He has been volunteering since. The role of the head coach was then handed over to him at the beginning of 2018 and it is a great joy serving everyone in the outreach program. --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Genuine youth engagement is hard to come by. That is no different in sport. In this episode I chat with Ugnė Chmeliauskaitė from ENGSO Youth on how to engage and empower youth outside of sport, but also in and through sport. We also take a look at sustainable development in and through sport, and how youth are uniquely positioned to contribute to sustainable development in their communities. Ms. Ugnė Chmeliauskaitė is an elected chair of Engso Youth, responsible for the strategic planning and development of the organisation. She has been involved with the organisation for more than 6 years, starting with the position of Young delegate in 2015-2017 mandate, elected committee member in 2017-2019 mandate and currently running 2019-2021 mandate as ENGSO Youth chair. For this period of time, besides overall coordination, she is also leading a social inclusion working group, using sport as a tool for inclusion. Additionally, she is highly familiar with non-formal education, youth empowerment, skills development and sustainability topics. Ugne has University Education in International Relations and Political Science and has a Master Degree in International Communication. As for her daily capacity Ugnė is occupied as an International Cooperation expert working in the Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) in Lithuania responsible for preparation, administration and implementation of international and national development cooperation projects, where sustainability, youth empowerment and civil society cooperation is one the highest priority. ENGSO Youth is the independent youth body of the European Sports NGO (ENGSO).  ENGSO Youth focuses on the youth sport-for-all sector in Europe and represents young Europeans under the age of 35 in sports in 34 countries. --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Sports have a power to inspire. It has the power to capture the imagination and attention of the public and draw their attention to important issues in our society. Sport can be used to advocate for changes in our society through activism. In this episode, we explore how 4 young people in France are using the sport of swimming to create a conversation surrounding cigarette butt pollution.  Chloe Leger is 24 years old, working in product engineering in R&D at MAPED. She is living in Annecy, France. She is the co-founder and one of 4 swimmers of 0Megot. 0Megot is a charity aiming to raise awareness about cigarette butt pollution, by swimming down the river Seine, 380km, to retrace the symbolic route of a cigarette butt from the city of Paris to the Ocean. Follow their journey on their social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/0megot/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/0megot/  --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Identified by the United Nations as an important tool to help achieve Sustainable Development Goal #4, Quality Education, sport can be used in multiple ways to facilitate progress towards this goal. In this episode we explore how sport can be incorporated and used in school curriculum's to teach Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) lessons.   Jesse Lovejoy is the director of 49ers EDU & the San Francisco 49ers Museum. He is also the managing partner of EDU Academy. Lovejoy joined the 49ers in August 2013, when he was brought on to envision and implement educational and community programming for the 49ers, and develop the content of and operating structure/plan for the 49ers Museum. While spearheading the 2014 launch of the Museum—a 20,000 square foot facility featuring 11 unique gallery and exhibit spaces exclusively dedicated to the 49ers past, present and future—Lovejoy concurrently led the 49ers into a domain where no professional sports organization had ventured before, a comprehensive STEAM Education Program for students in grades K-8, completely free to the end-user. In 2017, as inbound interest in the 49ers STEAM efforts continued to rise, Lovejoy formed and launched EDU Academy, a consulting arm which helps organizations envision, build and launch education programs. You can find out more about the 49ers EDU on their website: https://www.49ers.com/community/49ersedu You can connect with Jesse Lovejoy on Twitter (@JesseLovejoy1) and Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-lovejoy-26ba745/) --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Sport can be used as a tool for inclusion for all members of society if used correctly. However there remain many barriers for marginalized communities to participating in sports, especially members of the LGBTQ+ community. In this episode we take a deeper dive into ways that sport can be used for inclusion, what some of the barriers are for people entering sports, and how we can start addressing them. We speak to Dennis Quesnel who is a queer sports enthusiast focusing on the promotion of inclusion and education in sport. They are a Project Management Officer at Egale Canada, an organization focused on 2SLGBTQI people and issues. Dennis has an academic background in human rights and social service work which have both developed his abilities in practicing empathy and allyship. Outside of work, you'll find them spending their time in the Canadian dodgeball community, with experience as a Coach, an Organizer, and most recently qualifying for Dodgeball Canada's 2020 National Championships. Dennis' goal is to create safer and more accessible spaces for all 2SLGBTQI people involved in sport and physical activity.  A note on abbreviations: LGBTQ+ is mostly used throughout the episode due to it being more generally applicable around the world. You may hear different abbreviations such as 2SLGBTQ+ or LGBTQI2S+ also used. 2S stands for two spirit and is term specific to indigenous peoples in North America, it refers to a person who embodies both a masculine and feminine spirit. There is a growing movement in North America to put 2S at the beginning of 2SLGBTQ+ to reflect the fact that indigenous people were here first and should be put first.  Resources for LGBTQ Inclusion:  Coach New Brunswick: http://coachnb.ca/lgbtqi2s-support/  Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports: https://cces.ca/sites/default/files/content/docs/pdf/cces-transinclusionpolicyguidance-e.pdf  Via Sport BC: https://www.viasport.ca/inclusion/lgbtqi2s  Canadian Women & Sport: https://womenandsport.ca/resources/publications/leading-the-way/  Canadian Olympic Committee: https://olympic.ca/education/one-team-2/  Transathlete.com: https://www.transathlete.com/  You Can Play: https://www.youcanplayproject.org/  Athlete Ally: https://www.athleteally.org/ --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Under the leadership of Peace Nobel Laureate Prof Yunus, the social business movement has been tackling global challenges, across all industries, for the past 40 years. Who is Prof Yunus? What is social business? What does it bring to the sport table? How to get involved? This episode aims to give you the why and how of sport and social business. Abby Smith is the Community Manager Yunus Sports Hub. She is interested in tackling the income and opportunity gaps in sport, Abby found her passion for sport & social business. She has experience in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors of youth sports. While competing in the NCAA, Abby launched an urban youth lacrosse program in partnership with US Lacrosse. Outside of lacrosse, Abby has delivered sport for development programs in over 12 different countries throughout Europe, Africa, and North America. In 2019, Abby moved across the pond and earned a master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the University of Nottingham. Join the Sports & Social Business Community: https://yunussportshub.com/sign-up/  --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Sustainability and climate action has become an important topic, especially for a lot of young people. This month my guest is Courtney Burk as we talk about sport & recreation and sustainability. Courtney is a graduate of Renaissance College (2017) and is currently working on her Master of Science in Environmental Management at UNB, studying wildlife connectivity. She has always been an environmentalist but found her love of trail and ultra running while living in Canmore, Alberta and now uses running to connect herself and others to nature. She is a Dirtbag Runners Ambassador, to support a safe and supportive community that encourages getting outside, respecting the planet, and sharing the stoke of adventure. You can connect with her online through Instagram (@shortneyxox) or Twitter (@CourtneyBurk2) if you love running, nature, animal puns or environmental content. Courtney summed herself up:  “I like to run. I like to snack. I like to play outside. I like science. I love my cat and my partner. The end. --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

Sports can contribute to developing important life skills such as leadership and qualities that go along with it; such as empathy, responsibility and time management. In the very first episode of Sports for Social Impact, David speaks with former classmate Ryan Cobb on how sport can foster leadership qualities in athletes. Since graduating from the University of New Brunswick's Leadership school, Renaissance College in 2016, Ryan Cobb completed the Venture for Canada program and has been working in a tech startup. In this episode they explore how sport has contributed to their definition of leadership and how sport and recreation contribute to effective leadership. --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/