Community-Based Inclusion
What if I told you that nearly one in 10 children in your community face significant barriers to participating in sports? That’s 1,343,000 potential athletes across Canada waiting for their shot at the field.
These aren’t just numbers—they represent kids with untapped potential. Now, here’s the real question: Are we doing enough to get them in the game?
Ability in Action
When my oldest was one, I began to notice a BIG response to sensory experiences. As a toddler, he was referred to The Hospital for Sick Children because he’d say his eyes were “bleeding” from the light. Everyday sounds were overwhelming, and I had to cut the tags off his clothes because they felt unbearable to him. He’d twist and pull my hair just to find a moment of comfort.
Fast-forward a few years, and today, I watch him step onto the football field in full gear, mouth guard included. ️🔥🏈 It’s uncomfortable but tolerable—his love of football drives him to stay on the field (hyperfocus—another neurodivergent perk).
For neurodivergent kids like him, sports are not just games—they’re transformative pathways to confidence, belonging, and growth.
For these kids to thrive, we must adapt as coaches, communities, and sports organizations. This is where our power lies and it should motivate us.
This journey, inspired by my son’s story, is just the beginning—and one of the ways I’m working with brands to deepen human-to-human connections within their communities (a proven strategy for boosting revenue, brand trust, and growth).
Here’s my challenge to you—coaches, parents, community leaders: What’s one thing you can do today to make your sport more inclusive? Whether it’s creating a sensory-friendly environment or advocating for better training, we all have a role to play. Let’s make sure every child has the chance to shine, both on and off the field.
Let’s build stronger athletes and, in doing so, build stronger communities.
If we commit to training our coaches and expanding inclusive programs, the benefits extend far beyond the individual athlete.
Inclusive sports can:
- Reduce healthcare costs by 7%, saving millions annually.
- Every dollar invested returns $4 in social benefits.
- And let’s not overlook the potential $10 million in local economic revenue from inclusive sports events.
I’m proud to hold my certification in:
Coaching Athletes with Disabilities certificate from the National Coaching Certification Program (Coaching Association of Canada)
Trauma-Informed Outreach and Engagement certificate from the National Association of Social Workers
Autism and Neurodiversity in the Workplace certificate from the University of British Columbia.
