Canada Soccer’s work in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) is fundamental in shaping how we operate and engage with our soccer community. Inclusion is welcoming and valuing everyone regardless of differences.  Diversity is celebrating the richness of perspectives and cultures that make our sport so vibrant. Equity is creating opportunities for all. Accessibility is key, making sure soccer is open and available to everyone, irrespective of ability. Together, these principles guide our efforts to create a soccer community FOR ALL.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

WOMEN & GIRLS IDEA DAY, PRESENTED BY VISA – March 2024 

In March 2024, Canada Soccer held an inspiring webinar dedicated to empowering women and girls in soccer. The virtual event featured former Women’s National Team champion Erin McLeod as the keynote speaker along with three fantastic community club leaders making a real difference at the grassroots level.  

IDEA DAY – December 2023 

Canada Soccer hosted the first IDEA Day in December 2023, a first-of-its-kind forum for our sport in Canada highlighting LGBTQ+ Inclusion and New to Canada participants. 

IDEA TRAINING – ANTI-RACISM 

Sport is not an equal playing field: An introduction to Anti-Racism Literacy and Action. 

In collaboration with the Anti-Racism in Sport Campaign, Canada Soccer is pleased to present the ‘Sport is not an equal playing field: An introduction to Anti-Racism Literacy and Action’ workshop. This interactive session is designed for all sports stakeholders. Participants will receive a workbook to enhance their engagement with the material (registration for this program is now closed). 

GRANTS 

FREE KICKS DAY GRANTS 

This grant program, funded by Sport Canada, aims to reduce barriers for new-to-Canada participants while promoting inclusion in organised soccer through club-hosted Free Kicks—Try it Events (applications to this program are now closed). 

SOCCER IN SCHOOLS GRANTS 

This grant program, funded by Sport Canada, ensures greater inclusion in sport and serves the community as a whole. Grants are available to community clubs across three provinces: British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan, to collaborate with schools in their province and community. As part of this project, the following assets are being developed: a video-based curriculum, website and online access, student activity book, and educator training. Each partnered school will receive an equipment package and access to all materials to deliver the content (applications to this program are now closed).

PARTNERSHIPS  

YOU CAN PLAY

You Can Play is an organisation dedicated to ensuring equality, respect, and safety for all athletes, coaches, and fans, regardless of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Our partnership was initially introduced in November 2022. Since then, a series of training sessions have been hosted for our staff and membership.  A Pride Playbook (available below) was introduced in May 2024.  

 Future phases of our partnership include: 

– An eLearning Module  

– Surveys and Audit Tools for Community Clubs 

SPORT FOR LIFE

Sport For Life is a knowledge-based social enterprise that encourages governments, institutions, schools, and sports organizations to improve their programs and services to benefit everyone—not just the high achievers. We are working with Sport For Life to develop two soccer-specific training modules: Introduction to Belonging in Soccer and Engaging Those Who Are New to Canada.  

SOCCABILITY CANADA

Soccability Canada’s objective is to grow accessible soccer programs by providing guidance and resources to soccer organizations. In collaboration with Soccability Canada, Canada Soccer is offering training and program development to ensure that community organizations can provide fun and accessible programming for everyone. As part of this partnership, we will be working with 10 (ten) organizations across the country to develop and implement sustainable adapted soccer programs.   

Applications for our Accessible Soccer Project are now open.