Strengthen Connections between Newcomers and Canada's Sport System

A FREE Research-to-Practice event to facilitate connection, action, and strengthen pathways into sport and physical activity for newcomers.
About this Event

This event aims to bring together leaders, practitioners, and community partners to strengthen pathways into quality sport and physical activity for newcomers.

Leveraging LaunchPad’s work in positive youth development and inclusive community sport with Sport for Life’s expertise in Long-Term Development, physical literacy, quality sport, and system alignment, attendees will receive practical, solution-oriented learning opportunities for application directly within their organizations, programs and communities.

Expected participants will include sport and physical activity leaders, researchers, practitioners, and coaches from the GTA and surrounding regions who work, volunteer, or collaborate with:

• Community sport organizations
• Recreation leaders and practitioners
• Settlement and newcomer-serving organizations
• Territorial and Provincial Sport Organizations
• Professional and Semi-pro sport organizations

Intended Impact

By co-hosting this event, Sport for Life and LaunchPad aim to create momentum for collaboration, facilitate connection, inspire action, and strengthen pathways into sport and physical activity for newcomers and equity-denied communities.

This event will provide attendees with practical tools, new connections, and shared learning opportunities that support more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible experiences in the GTA and beyond. Through intentional networking and cross-sector collaboration, the event will help build stronger relationships and a more connected community sport and physical activity ecosystem.

Event Outcomes

• Explore current and future pathways into sport and physical activity for newcomers.
• Build capacity within the community sport and physical activity sector.
• Create opportunities for networking, relationship-building, and ongoing collaboration.
• Identify practical actions and solutions that can be implemented within communities.

Game Plan

🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Registration + Refreshments

Info: Doors will open at 9:00 AM, with tea, coffee, light refreshments and networking space(s) available upon registration.

🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Welcome, Land Acknowledgement, Event Start
🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Morning Programming
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
Networking + Lunch (Free)
🕑: 01:30 PM - 03:30 PM
Afternoon Programming
🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:00 PM
Closing Summary, Key Takeaways, What's Next?