Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
viaSport ensures all British Columbians can benefit from sport by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. A focus on DEI in sport encourages increased participation, enhanced fairness, and promotes innovation and teamwork to make sport better for everyone.
Understanding DEI
Diversity
Diversity refers to differences among people, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, and ability.
Equity
Equity refers to fair treatment, with the goal to remove barriers that prevent certain groups from participation.
Inclusion
Inclusion refers to creating a welcoming, supportive environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to participate.
Enabling Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
To create a more inclusive sport culture in BC and bring attention to increasing equitable opportunities for all participants, we launched a province wide campaign! #SportForEVERYBody, a campaign designed to elevate under-represented groups, celebrate diversity and invite you to inspire change in your community.
Partner with us to help advance inclusion in sport.
Every British Columbian can thrive through sport when it is inclusive, safe, and accessible.
By leading initiatives and campaigns to create a more inclusive sport culture in BC, we bring attention to barriers and work towards creating more equitable opportunities. We aim to raise awareness around inclusion in sport and disseminate effective practices. Read viaSport’s DEI Position Statement.
How does improving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion make sport better?
DEI Encourages Participation
When teams and organizations embrace diversity and inclusion, it encourages people from different backgrounds to participate. This can increase engagement and membership in your sport.
DEI Promotes Fairness
Environments that are fair and address barriers to participation help eliminate discrimination and biases that can impact experience in sport. Equitable practices can bolster access to facilities, equipment, and training across different sports.
DEI Builds Community
Diversity in sport fosters understanding, respect, and unity that transcends the playing field.
DEI Enhances Teamwork & Innovation
Diversity and inclusion boost innovation, problem solving, and the overall sporting experience through a broader range of perspectives, skills, and ideas.
DEI Promotes Role Models
Sport organizations that promote DEI create role models suited for a variety of backgrounds. This inspires members of equity-deserving groups to participate.
Effective Ways to Promote DEI for Organizations
Develop a DEI Policy
Create a comprehensive policy that outlines your organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Communicate DEI values, goals, and expectations clearly. Make the policy accessible to everyone, and review and update it regularly.
Establish diverse leadership
Organizational leadership should reflect the diversity of the communities you serve. Aim for broad representation in decision-making roles, including the board of directors, management, and coaching staff. Pursue candidates from equity-deserving groups and provide them with opportunities for professional development and advancement.
Provide DEI training
Implement DEI training programs for everyone in your organization, including volunteers. Cover topics such as unconscious bias, Indigenous cultural competency, 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion, and disability inclusion. Ongoing training ensures continuous improvement.
Foster inclusive communication
Develop communication practices built on diversity and respect. Use inclusive and gender-neutral language in official communications, including written materials, social media, and public announcements. Use language interpretation services and accessible communication formats to accommodate diverse needs.
Provide accessible facilities and resources
Ensure that facilities and resources are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Remove physical barriers and provide adaptive equipment if needed. Consider the diverse needs of your participants to create an inclusive environment.
Lead by Example
Showcase diverse athletes, coaches, and staff. Feature diverse individuals in marketing materials, media coverage, and social media posts. Celebrate achievements and contributions to inspire others and foster a sense of belonging.
Develop a data collection strategy
Demographic and diversity metrics increase understanding of who your participants are and where resources are needed to propel DEI.
Engage with equity-deserving groups
Implement DEI training programs for everyone in your organization, including volunteers. Cover topics such as unconscious bias, Indigenous cultural competency, 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion, and disability inclusion. Ongoing training ensures continuous improvement.
Effective Ways to Promote DEI for Coaches & Officials
Educate Yourself
Learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts and the challenges equity-deserving groups face. Books, articles, research papers, workshops, and talking about DEI can deepen your understanding.
Create an inclusive coaching environment
Champion an environment that embraces diversity and inclusion. Encourage open and respectful two-way communication. Create forums for people of different backgrounds to share ideas, perspectives, and experiences.
Recruit and mentor diverse coaches and officials
Recruit coaches and officials from equity-deserving groups. Provide mentorship and professional development to help coaches and officials from diverse backgrounds thrive.
Address unconscious bias
Learn to identify and remove unconscious bias when working with athletes. Approach participants with empathy, considering everyone’s unique background and needs.
Incorporate cultural competency
Resources such as Indigenous Cultural Training foster an understanding and appreciation of different cultures and experiences. This will help you adapt your coaching to meet the needs of diverse participants.
Effective Ways to Promote DEI for Participants
Educate Yourself
Learn about DEI concepts, including issues related to race, gender, sexuality, ability, and other identities. Books, articles, research papers, workshops, webinars, and talking with people from diverse backgrounds can deepen your understanding.
Challenge your biases
Reflect on your assumptions. Everyone has biases, and challenging them creates a more inclusive environment. Be open to evaluating and reconsidering your perspectives, and seek to understand different lived experiences.
Be an inclusive teammate
Treat all teammates with respect and dignity. Embrace diversity and listen to teammates’ experiences and perspectives. Speak up against discriminatory or exclusionary behaviour, and encourage acceptance and understanding.
Be an ally
Support teammates from diverse backgrounds. Recognize their achievements and contributions and assist and encourage them when needed. Advocate for fair treatment and equal opportunity for all athletes.
Be a role model
Lead by example with an inclusive attitude. Treat every teammate with respect, empathy, and compassion regardless of their background.
