Sport Intelligence: The Canadian Perspective

In the final episode of Sport Intelligence: The State of Sport in Canada , Dr. Ann Pegoraro joins us to explore how shrinking attention spans are reshaping sport. The conversation includes the rise of "snackable" formats like 3v3 basketball and Rugby Sevens, to athletes building personal brands that rival their teams. Paralympian Liam Hickey and Swimming Canada CEO Suzanne Collins join the convers...

Money is moving through sport in new ways and not always where people expect. In Episode 2 of  Sport Intelligence: The State of Sport in Canada , host Paula Baker and Lang Chair Dr. Ann Pegoraro from the University of Guelph explore how sports betting, private investment, athlete branding, and shifting consumer behaviour are reshaping the economics of sport. As new revenue streams emerge, so do ne...

What do rising costs, global instability, loneliness, and immigration have in common? According to Dr. Ann Pegoraro, Lang Chair in Sport Management at the University of Guelph, they’re all reshaping the future of sport in Canada. In this episode, SIRC's Paula Baker speaks with Pegoraro and Ontario Soccer CEO Johnny Misley about the pressures transforming participation, funding, community sport, an...

Each year, an estimated 200,000 sport-related concussions occur in Canada, affecting athletes of all ages and levels. But recovery is about more than just physical healing. In this episode, Dr. Keith Yeates, professor of psychology, pediatrics, and clinical neurosciences at the University of Calgary, explains how psychological readiness shapes recovery. He discusses why early reporting and care ca...

Youth sport doesn’t happen without parents—but their role is far more complex than carpooling and cheering. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Nick Holt, Dean of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary, longtime coach, and parent, about how parents shape their child’s sporting experience—for better or worse. Drawing from 2 decades of research in youth sport and development, Holt explores the fine...

Mega sporting events like the Olympics and Paralympics promise excitement, but do they leave a lasting social impact? Dr. Laura Misener, professor and researcher at Western University, explores how these global spectacles can drive real change—especially in accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities. In this episode, we examine what it takes to turn a two-week event into a long-term...

What really makes sport fun for kids—and why does it matter? Dr. Erin Sharpe joins the podcast to explore FUN MAPS, a research-based tool reshaping how we think about fun in youth sport. From redefining coaching strategies to boosting retention, discover how effort, teamwork, and challenge are key to keeping kids engaged—and enjoying—the sport experience. Resources: > Paper: The Fun Integration...

Athletes train to be stronger, faster, and more skilled but what happens when their toughest opponent is their own reflection? In this episode, we explore the impact of body image and body surveillance in sport, from how uniforms influence participation to the subtle ways coaching language shapes self-perception. Dr. Catherine Sabiston, an expert in sport psychology, reveals how negative body imag...

In the debut episode of Sport Intelligence: The Canadian Perspective, host Paula Baker looks at the intricate world of talent identification and athlete development with Dr. Joe Baker, a leading expert from the University of Toronto. Explore the myth of talent, the unpredictability of athletic success, and how countries like Australia are pioneering innovative approaches to nurturing future champi...