Sports for Social Impact

Fundación Living a Dream is rooted in the belief that communities thrive when given the tools to shape their own futures. Founded with a commitment to addressing systemic inequalities, the organization focuses on education, empowerment, and sustainable development to create meaningful, long-lasting change. Their work is built on collaboration, respect, and a deep understanding of local needs, ensu...

Social Innovation Sports is a non-profit association that believes in sport as a driver of social change. They work alongside entrepreneurs, associations, foundations and other organisations to develop projects that promote inclusion, social impact and sustainability. Through participatory methodologies and innovative approaches, they help transform good ideas into concrete solutions, always with...

Cycle 5 to Survive is on a mission to raise $2.5 million over five years for five charities. How? By cycling across 5 continents. P.L. and his wife Kristen combined their love of cycling with a desire to help those less fortunate by creating ‘Cycle 5 to Survive’ (C5TS). They set out to use their Time, Talent, and Treasures to raise money and awareness for charities so they can fulfill their purpos...

SpinLab  is an inclusive, eco-friendly table tennis initiative in Aberdeen that transforms vacant urban properties into community hubs. By offering subsidised memberships, youth programmes and adaptive opportunities for people with disabilities, the project removes barriers to participation for low-income families and vulnerable groups. Aligned with Aberdeen’s Union Street Empty Shops Action Plan,...

Play Pure is a community-based initiative that aims to tackle drug and substance abuse among young people in Kampala’s Acholi Quarter. Through football and netball sessions, the project seeks to promote social well-being, gender equality and healthy living. By offering safe, structured alternatives, Play Pure will provide a positive outlet for young people aged 6-25, helping to reduce crime, viole...

The aTTain Table Tennis initiative introduces table tennis as a therapeutic and social intervention for people living with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) and their caregivers in Kenya. By addressing challenges such as costly treatments, misdiagnosis and stigma, the project fosters safe environments that support both patients and caregivers. Through table tennis sessions, participants improve motor skil...

Future of Sport in Canada Commission was established by the federal government in December 2023. The Commission’s mandate was to review the Canadian sport system and make recommendations on concrete and effective actions with respect to improving safe sport and the sport system in Canada. Cheryl Macdonald is the CEO of Sport New Brusnwick. She holds a PhD in Social & Cultural Analysis from Con...

Active Abilities Canada is a national organization dedicated to advancing inclusion and accessibility in recreation and physical activity for people of all abilities. With a focus on breaking down barriers and fostering equitable opportunities, they work closely with communities, organizations, and governments to create environments where everyone can participate fully and confidently. Through edu...

GOALS Haiti is a grassroots nonprofit organization harnessing the universal language of soccer to create meaningful, lasting change in rural Haiti. GOALS stands for Global Outreach And Love of Soccer , and through its innovative sport-for-development approach, the organization advances youth leadership through soccer, education, and community service , helping build stronger, healthier communities...

Splash Foundation is a dynamic nonprofit whose mission is to create opportunities for children and adults from under-resourced communities to learn how to swim , build confidence, enhance wellbeing, and spark community connection. Splash believes that swimming is not just a sport — it’s a life skill that opens doors, builds resilience, and fosters belonging . Libby Alexander , the Co-Founder and C...

Right To Play is a global organization that uses play-based programs to protect, educate, and empower children who are facing some of the toughest challenges in the world. From supporting kids in conflict and displacement settings, to working with Indigenous communities here in Canada, Right To Play shows how sport and play can be so much more than just fun — they can be tools for learning, healin...

Isabella Bertold is a professional sailor and cyclist. As captain of Concord Pacific Racing in the first ever Women’s America’s Cup, she led the ‘It’s Time’ campaign, building long-term pathways for girls and women in sailing. She’s also a sharp sport-business thinker, startup advisor and early stage-investor, speaking openly about how women’s sport can attract aligned investment and build athlete...

Maegan Downey is the founder of the Run Forest Run Club, a run club based in Revelstoke, B.C. Links: Run Forest Run Club: https://www.instagram.com/stories/runforestrevy/ ----  Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation! The Sports for Social Impact p...

Javier Raya is a Spanish Olympian figure skater, DEI advocate, and founder of  Compete Proud , a platform focused on LGBTQI+ inclusion in sports. With over 20 years of experience, Javier represented Spain at the European and World Championships, and the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. He founded  Compete Proud  to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within sports and is an IOC Young Leader (2021...

Dan is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Development with a research and teaching focus in sport for development. His work examines issues of inclusion, equity, and social value. Dan has worked in a range of sport development, community, and young-people focussed occupations. His professional experience led him to pursue doctoral research that explored the empowering potential of community sport developm...

Brian Torrance is the President and CEO of ParticipACTION. He has over 14 years of experience in the SPAR sector, having contributed in both professional and volunteer capacities from organizing a marathon events to guiding national organizations. Our conversation spans a lot more than just the budget. ParticipACTION is an organization that has become a cornerstone of Canada’s sport and recreation...

Matt DeCourcey is the Director of Government Affairs with the Trans Canada Trail. He brings 20 years of experience advising decision makers at the local, national and international level to his role as Director of Government Affairs with Trans Canada Trail. A public policy leader, community builder, and former Member of Parliament, his deep political and public affairs knowledge, experience develo...

Build Kamloops is a multi-year, multi-phase visionary program to re-establish the city’s prominence as Canada’s Tournament Capital, foster our recognition as a premier arts and culture destination, and keep pace with our recreation and leisure needs as one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities. Sherri Holmes is the Sport, Recreation and Wellness Manager with the City of Kamloops. Links: Build Ka...

The Canadian Sport Policy helps identify Canadian sport priorities and guides how federal, provincial and territorial governments advance sport. It provides a shared framework for working together to ensure sport contributes positively to the lives of individuals, communities and the country. Links: Canadian Sport Policy 2025-2035: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/sport-canada.h...

Toby Robinson is a British international swimmer specializing in freestyle and open water events, he competed at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris in the 10km Open water event.  Katie Pumphrey is a Baltimore-based interdisciplinary artist and ultramarathon open water swimmer.  They are both Sport Ambassadors for the Swimmable Cities alliance. Swimmable Cities is a global alliance dedicated to transf...

Kim Gurtler is the CEO of the Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC), bringing extensive expertise in operations, project management, and relationship-building to lead impactful initiatives and outcomes. Recognized for her collaborative leadership and steady optimism, Kim is instrumental in fostering strong partnerships and supporting sector-wide efforts that use knowledge and evidence to advanc...

John Hughes joined Community Integrated Care as Director of Partnerships and Communities in March 2020. In this role, he leads the development and promotion of the charity’s national corporate partnerships, including collaborations with major sporting, arts, cultural and academic institutions, as well as community and family engagement strategies. Community Integrated Care is one of the UK’s large...

Hugo Inglis is a four-time Olympian and former international field hockey player for New Zealand, having represented his country at London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024. With over a decade of experience at the highest level of sport, Hugo has increasingly turned his focus to driving positive global impact beyond the field. In pursuit of that mission, he co-founded High Impact Athletes...

Jake Finney is a Community Program Leader with Spirit North in Edmonton and Athabasca, Alberta, in Treaty 6. Jake grew up in Fort Chipewyan and Athabasca in Treaty 8 and is a member of the Athabasca Fort Chipewyan First Nation. He has been with Spirit North for 4.5 years and the programs Jake leads are inspired by culture and the freedom connected to being active. He plays traditional games with g...

The Future of Sport in Canada Commission released its preliminary report on August 28th 2025. With 71 recommendations, it is the most comprehensive review of the Canadian sport system that I have ever seen. In this episode, I share some of my thoughts and reactions on the preliminary report and recommendations. Future of Sport in Canada Commission Preliminary Report: https://www.canada.ca/en/canad...