How to advance Quality Sport for Communities and Clubs

Developing and delivering quality sport has become a quintessential component of Canada’s sport and physical activity ecosystem over the past couple of years.

To ensure the best possible sport is delivered to all Canadians, Sport for Life has developed Quality Sport for Communities and Clubs. This resource aims to guide quality sport delivery based on Long-Term Development in Sport and Physical Activity.

This resource identifies how community sport organizations can work with key partners, including their national sport organization (NSO), provincial/territorial sport organization (PTSO), and municipal recreation departments, to improve and sustain quality sport.

Quality sport focuses on athlete growth and development, supporting the athlete’s long-term goals, and using competition intentionally for development. For community sport organizations, quality sport means three things: Good Programs delivered by Good People, in Good Places. Programs must be well-planned and participant-centered, delivered by knowledgeable and caring individuals, and offered in inclusive and safe environments.

Canada has more than 30,000 sport and recreation organizations, with more than 95% at the community level, according to Statistics Canada. Community sport in Canada is a big deal. In many ways, it’s the heartbeat of a community. Despite its positive impact, sport club dropout rates are high and sport participation is consistently lowest in lower-income families and other marginalized groups.

The Quality Sport for Communities and Clubs resource provides additional detail on quality sport and what you need to know, do and check to make it happen. A Quality Sport Checklist is also provided to help sport leaders, coaches, municipal recreation leaders, PTSOs, funders, and others involved in the delivery of sport at the community level, ensure every Canadian has a quality sport experience.

“Instilling quality sport at the community level is essential to improve participation and sport experiences for all Canadians,” said Richard Way, CEO of Sport for Life. “A community club may be small, but the long-term impact it can have on its members is major.”

Find the resource and learn more about delivering Quality Sport in communities and clubs at sportforlife.ca/QSCC.