The City of Calgary Partners with Organizations to Combat Racism in Sport: Comprehensive Initiative Aims to Transform Sport Culture

The City of Calgary has launched a project, “Anti-Racism in Calgary Sport,” in partnership with Sport for Life and Sport Calgary’s support, to address racism in sport through a comprehensive, community-driven approach. The project represents a significant step toward transforming the city’s sporting environment into an inclusive space where all participants can thrive.

The engagement strategy specifically targets both current sport participants and those who have faced barriers to participation, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of racism’s impact on Calgary’s sport system. The first phase of this initiative launched in November 2023 with an anonymous survey component, providing an avenue for those who prefer to share their experiences privately, ensuring maximum participation and data collection.

The next phase of this innovative engagement process will reach 300 racialized individuals through carefully designed interactive focus groups in 2025. These sessions will create welcoming environments where participants can share their experiences while building authentic relationships within the community. Support systems will be available throughout the process to ensure participants feel safe and supported while sharing their experiences.

“By working directly with racialized communities and sport organizations, we’re taking a crucial step toward creating lasting systemic change in our sports system,” said Kabir Hosein, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Sport for Life. “This collaborative approach will help us develop effective, community-informed solutions that can be shared across Canada.”