The Belonging Playbook - Ottawa’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Resource Hub for Sport

By: Jumpstart Staff

May 22, 2024

The Ottawa Sport Council recently launched 'The Belonging Playbook' - a resource hub for supporting equity, diversity and inclusion in sport. 

With the mission to enrich the sporting experience by promoting inclusivity and accessibility in sport, the Ottawa Sport Council published the guide to ensure that everyone has a space in community sports. The playbook is comprised of ten distinct tools designed to help community sport organizations with three key activities: promote diversity, foster inclusion, and remove barriers to participation. As an ongoing initiative to create a positive impact within sports communities, the resource will be continuously updated with best practices to ensure equity for all members, including administrators, coaches, officials, and volunteers.

The journey to creating this guide began with requests from member organizations who wanted to be more inclusive but did not know where to begin. These community sport organizations then came together to discuss the gaps and requirements for inclusivity throughout a participant’s entire journey, from first hearing about the sport, to registering for the sport, to playing to sport, and beyond. The playbook was developed in response, aiming to support organizations in their efforts toward becoming more inclusive. 

“Sport is a universal language; no matter where someone comes from or identifies, it welcomes all,” notes Marco Di Buono, President of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. "But it could be even more accessible and inclusive, and we knew we had to promote that messaging. This means mentorship guides, accessibility for athletes with disabilities, anti-racism policies, newcomer inclusion, embracing Indigenous world views and the Calls to Action around sport, and gender and sexuality inclusion in sport,” which The Belonging Playbook fully offers.

Powered by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and supported by the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, we’re proud to support the creation of this completely free and accessible guide.

Visit https://www.ottawabelongingplaybook.ca/ to check it out.