Q&A: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in Sport Conference Series
We sat down with our EDI Lead, Nick Lenehan to get the scoop about Sport Nova Scotia’s newest event that will make its debut in Halifax at the end of the month.
Q: The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Sport Conference Series launches next month, can you tell us who the target market is for attendance?
A: Honestly, it’s anyone who is interested and passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion! We’re hoping to see coaches, officials, volunteers and anyone who works in the sport sector. We’d also love to see athletes and parents join in.
Q: For many people working in the sport world, equity, diversity and inclusion is a fairly recent focus. Some haven’t even heard the EDI acronym before. Why is creating inclusive experiences in sport so important, and why is now the time to prioritize EDI?
A: Sport is undergoing a massive cultural shift. What was okay before, just isn’t okay anymore. We see it now as part of the safe sport movement, and to be honest, inclusive sporting environments are safe sporting environments. EDI can’t be seen as separate from Safe Sport. We need to make it a priority now because it just hasn’t been a priority for so long. Sport won’t survive if people don’t feel accepted and a sense of belonging, and this means all people, regardless of background or lived experience.
Q: What do you hope will be the attendees’ main takeaways? What can they expect to learn?
A: I hope they’ll come away feeling like they have some tools and a bit of a road map on how to create change. Attendees can expect to hear from experts in the field who have been doing the work for years, and they’ll receive a standardized training (All Youth Matter) which will give some amazing resources and practical guides on changing their own organizations.
Q: What would you say to a coach, administrator or community member who realizes the sport they’re involved in has room for improvement in the EDI space, but they’re not sure where to start?
A: The first thing I’d say is “all sports can do better, so doing something is a great start”. Once we know better, we do better, so participating in something like the EDI Conference is a great place to learn some of those next steps.
Q: Sport Nova Scotia has recently hired EDI navigators. Can you explain their roles and the supports that they can offer to their communities?
A: Our EDI Navigators have recently been hired in a few communities throughout Nova Scotia, one in Yarmouth, one in Antigonish, and soon to be one in Halifax. These staff are at the community level to help support underrepresented populations to access sport. The whole goal is to literally meet people where they’re at and help them have meaningful sport experiences in ways that actually work for them and their community. In many cases the EDI Navigators will help provide connections to local sport and recreation organizations, while in other situations they’ll help groups find the resources to create their own programming. In the end, it’s about helping to make sure that people are able to access the opportunities that exist and know about the supports like KidSport and Sport Fund EDI to help reduce some of the financial barriers associated with sport. For some of these groups it will also be about making them aware of Sport Fund EDI, a funding stream specifically set up for community groups working with underrepresented populations.
Q: The first EDI in Sport Conference is in Halifax. Can we expect the same layout in the other regions of the province?
A: We will be replicating many of the aspects of the Halifax conference in five other communities around Nova Scotia. The takeaways will all be the same regardless of community, but our regional conferences will be one day events instead of being spread over two.
Q: The conference will be in each region of the province. Where can those interested go to find out more information and register?
A: If people head over to the Sport Nova Scotia website, they read all about the conferences, find out where they’re happening, and register for free.
