Level the Field: Removing barriers to sport participation
Level the Field is a registered charity created by viaSport BC to support mechanisms that increase access to safe, inclusive, and high-quality sport experiences for the British Columbians who need it most.
What is Level the Field
Sport and recreation have the power to improve well-being, strengthen communities, and create a sense of belonging. Yet too many people in British Columbia continue to face barriers that limit their ability to participate. For many, those barriers go beyond affordability. Programs may not feel welcoming, culturally relevant, safe, representative, or accessible.
As a result, Indigenous Peoples, women and girls, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, racialized communities, people with disabilities, newcomers, and low-income families often face the greatest inequities in sport and recreation participation. That is where Level the Field comes in. By mobilizing charitable support and strengthening partnerships across the sport, corporate and community sectors, Level the Field helps remove barriers and invests in practical solutions that create more inclusive pathways into participation.
Our aim: more people can access the benefits of sport and experience the confidence, connection, and well-being that come with belonging.
How Level the Field increases access to sport and recreation
Creating equitable access requires more than funding, it requires collaboration, innovation, and long-term commitment. Through partnerships across the sport, corporate and community sectors, Level the Field co-designs inclusive programs, builds capacity through training and education, and scales proven models to reach more communities across BC.
Sport is more than participation, it is a powerful driver of social change. By increasing access to sport:
- Individuals experience improved physical and mental wellbeing
- Communities become stronger and more connected
- The sport system becomes more inclusive and representative
By working alongside community and sport leaders, Level the Field is helping create a more welcoming, accessible, and representative sport system for everyone.