Biathlon Canada and Brock University’s collaboration is driving significant strides in gender equity within the national sports organization.
Led by Assistant Professor of Sport Management Michele Donnelly through Brock’s Centre for Sport Capacity, the initiative involves a comprehensive gender equity audit of Biathlon Canada, encompassing all facets of the organization, including membership and governance.
Donnelly supplemented the quantitative data with interviews with athletes, officials and coaches about their experiences with biathlon and their understanding of Biathlon Canada’s commitment to gender equity. She also reviewed the organization’s website and policies.
She has since made several evidence-based recommendations to Biathlon Canada, which have already led to improvements in gender equity. One recommendation was to formalize quotas for gender representation on the Board of Directors.
“Studies have shown gender equity commitments are more successful when institutionalized into policy,” said Donnelly. “A policy means that progress toward gender equity is more intentional and conscious.”
This project aligns with the federal government’s 2035 goal to achieve gender equity in Canadian sport, with funding from Sport Canada’s 2018 budget supporting such initiatives at the NSO level.
(Written by: Brandon Warby)
