Building healthy communities through sport
We are a collective of researchers at the University of Waterloo and beyond who care deeply about the health and vitality of community sport organizations and their participants. We believe that healthy community sport is a movement, not a moment. Our interdisciplinary research is dedicated to advancing the knowledge and practice of community sport in Canada, with a focus on wellbeing, inclusion, and capacity building.
The Community Sport Research Group brings together scholars, students, and community partners committed to strengthening the organizations and people who make sport possible. Grounded in evidence and guided by collaboration, our work examines how clubs, volunteers, families, and local systems shape participation, safety, leadership, and social impact—translating research into practical solutions that matter.
Through research, capacity-building initiatives, and knowledge mobilization, we support community sport organizations as they navigate change, enhance governance, and foster safe, inclusive environments for athletes and families.
Whether you're a practitioner seeking evidence-informed tools, a student looking to get involved, or a community partner exploring collaboration, we invite you to discover our work and join us.
Together, we’re building healthy communities through sport.
News
Telling Our Stories: Black Girls and Women in Hockey Event
Dr. Kaleigh Pennock and the RISE Youth Sport Lab, in partnership with Brock University and Black Girl Hockey Club, hosted Telling Our Stories: Black Girls and Women in Hockey at MLSE LaunchPad in Toronto on May 3, 2026. The event brought together more than 40 Black girls and women from across the Greater Toronto Area for a day of hockey, creative activities, and discussion focused on identity, representation, and inclusion in sport.
Participants took part in hockey skills sessions led by Coach Abbah Copeland, creative activities, and facilitated conversations about their experiences in the game. The event also featured guest speakers Angela James, Jam Gamble, and Simone Saunders, who shared personal reflections on creating space for Black girls and women in hockey. Insights from the event will help inform future research, resources, and recommendations to support more equitable and inclusive hockey environments across Canada. Learn more by visiting our project page!
Heather Presents at Curling Canada's National Congress
Heather and Simon Barrick presented preliminary findings from the Partners Transforming Curling Project at Curling Canada's National Congress in Halifax. They continue to collaborate with Curling Canada and other curling stakeholders to advance the project, with a major symposium planned for May 2027.
Toronto Star Feature: Black Girls and Women Are Creating Community in Sport
“Black girls and women don’t need to change. Sport does.”
Earlier this month, Dr. Kaleigh Pennock and Dr. Janelle Joseph were featured in Black Girls and Women Are Creating Community in Sport, highlighting research from the RISE Youth Sport Lab and IDEAS Research Lab.
Working alongside community partners, their research examines how representation, inclusive coaching, and intentionally designed sport spaces can help Black girls and women thrive in sport.