Legacy in the Making: The Future of Women's Sport

It’s an exciting time for women’s sport in Canada.

Rising professionalization and expanding media visibility is rapidly changing the landscape. The launch, and subsequent expansion, of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (boasting 3 Canadian teams) heralded a pivotal moment.

Soon after, the Northern Super League, Canada’s first professional women’s soccer league, kicked off its inaugural season. And in a few short months, the Toronto Tempo, the first Canadian team in the Women’s National Basketball Association, will play its first game.

History is being made daily. But beyond the headlines, significant challenges remain.

Between 2022 to 2024, the percentage of adolescent girls meeting the physical activity recommendation fell from 21% to 8% (Statistics Canada). And although advances have been made in leadership positions, women remain underrepresented in Canadian sport leadership, coaching and governance (SIRC).

Research shows that sport is a powerful platform for development for girls and women. Women who play sports are more likely to hold leadership positions: an Ernst & Young study found that 94% of C-suite women in the U.S. were former athletes. Closer to home, another study found that women who played varsity sports in Canada were more likely to pursue graduate-level education and end up in careers with above-average earnings (The Conversation). It’s undeniably clear that participation in sport yields numerous benefits, with 85% of women attributing their career success to the skills they developed by playing sports (Deloitte).

So what needs to happen next to solidify the gains that women’s sport has made and ensure further advancements?
We’re diving into the issue on March 25, exploring everything from access, funding, and infrastructure, to athlete and coach development pathways, to uncover the opportunities that this moment presents.

Don’t miss this powerhouse panel discussion that brings together leaders across professional sport, research, coaching and athlete advocacy to explore how Canada can move from momentum to sustainable impact in women’s sport.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher U of T Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education