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
Dr. Katie Misener present at European Association of Sport Management
Dr. Katie Misener presented findings from her recent study which examined how community sport organization leaders perceive the importance and feasibility of safeguarding practices. The study explored how 25 leaders across two workshops prioritized and grouped safeguarding practices based on their effectiveness and practicality within resource-constrained organizations. Findings highlighted a distinction between practices that are considered important but difficult to implement and those that are both important and feasible, emphasizing the need to align safeguarding expectations with the realities and capacity of community sport organizations.
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.