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
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
Fort Nelson, B.C., wildfire doubles in size as 3,000-plus ordered to evacuate
The wildfire that sparked Friday and caused evacuation orders for more than 3,000 people in Fort Nelson, B.C., and the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has grown to nearly 1,700 hectares in size, according to a Saturday morning update from the BC Wildfire Service.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.