Racism, social isolation playing role in youth access to sports in Ontario, study finds
A large study looking at youth access to sports in Ontario found over the past three years the number of young people participating in sports has declined.
MLSE Foundation found in its Change the Game Research Study 37.5 per cent of youth not active in sports over the past year reported a weak sense of community and belonging compared to 18.5 per cent of youth active in sports.
Immaculate Adarkwa, 19, has put her focus on basketball, but not before trying her fair share of sports, including wrestling, volleyball, soccer and track and field.
Growing up she says her experience was mostly positive but faced challenges to play and improve athletically.
“I played mostly in school so some of these barriers, access, I did not have. Even financial stuff I did not have,” Adarkwa said.
“Change is possible, but we all have to work together,” said Tanya Mruck, vice-president of community engagement and social impact at MLSE, at the study’s launch Wednesday.
The research showed 41 per cent of Black youth surveyed experience racism, 33 per cent of Indigenous youth surveyed experience racism, and only 21 per cent of all youth feel comfortable to try and stop incidents when they happen, with many struggling with social isolation.
“Youth are just not making those social connections, for lot of youth it’s about those social connections, having a peer, a friend come to a program to have a friend, they don’t feel comfortable coming independently,” said Marika Warner, director of research and evaluation at MLSE Foundation.
Researchers connected with 25,000 diverse youth across Ontario. They say while they found a decline in participation in sport, they now have the knowledge to increase it.
MLSE Foundation says much of the needed work around making youth feel comfortable includes mentorship, multi-sport activities and providing positive, safe and inclusive spaces.
Adarkwa believes the key to change is creating a positive culture.
“I think a lot of people are willing to donate and that’s starting to happen … but when they get into the culture, that’s why they start pushing back or pulling back.”
MLSE Foundation says the study will allow partners to identify the greatest needs, where to invest and the types of programs for young people to play sports and thrive.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.