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Ontario University Athletics (OUA), in conjunction with the Indigeneity, Diaspora, Equity, and Anti-Racism in Sport (IDEAS) Research Lab out of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, recently embarked on an Anti-Racism Project to help shed light on members’ experiences with racism.
The OUA Anti-Racism Project, which was largely inspired by the experiences and recommendations of the of the conference's Black, Biracial, and Indigenous (BBI) Task Force, was undertaken to create and disseminate knowledge about the demographics and experiences of student-athletes, coaches, and sport administrators across the conference.
Said Dr. Janelle Joseph, Founder and Director of the IDEAS Lab, “This project was unique as it’s the only research I have done that examined a singular institution – a provincial athletic conference – from the perspectives of a wide range of stakeholders, including administrators, coaches, and student-athletes. This allowed us to get a good understanding of the relationship between individual experiences and systemic barriers, especially across such a large and diverse province.”
Among those who provided their insights via the questionnaire designed by Joseph and her team were 4,058 student-athletes, 716 coaches, and 227 sport administrators, which equated to nearly 45 per cent of the OUA’s membership. Moreover, 107 members, including all 20 athletic directors, participated in interviews and focus groups that contributed to the key findings and recommendations.
The information collected will support the identification and refinement of strategies to advance efforts to help make the OUA an inclusive and safe community where all people, regardless of race or other socially-determined circumstances, have equal opportunities to achieve their full potential for health, well-being, and academic and athletic success
READ FULL OUA ANTI-RACISM REPORT
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