MEMBER RESEARCH

Helpsdevelop Communitypartnerships

The Centre for Sport Capacity’s members lead and partake in many different research projects. The projects conducted through the CSC are for educational purposes to understand the capacity of sport organizations in the Niagara region, Canada, and abroad.

Projects include an array of topics which vary based on the interests and expertise of the members such as gender equality, non-profit organizations, the impact of sport in the Niagara region, and how to provide more effective coaching at the provincial sport level.

Additionally, the CSC has published and delivered multiple research papers and is currently working on future projects to share knowledge and improve the capacity for sport organizations around the world.

The Centre for Sport Capacity has many partnerships with different sport organizations and clubs. Some partners also give the CSC the ability to take on academic initiatives and convert previous projects into knowledge mobilization opportunities. Some of these collaborations include the Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association, Sport for Life, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Toronto.

Bowls Canada is one of the projects supported by the Centre for Sport Capacity. Led by Dr. Shannon Kerwin, Associate Professor of Sport Management, the aim is to explore the recruitment and retention of women, over the age of 40 years, in competitive bowling programs. The purpose of this research project is to understand potential factors that influence participants’ decisions. The program also offers insight to improve access for retaining women across many sport organizations.

The Niagara Sport Database project started in 2018 and is led by Dr. Julie Stevens, Professor of Sport Management. The project addresses the need to gather information about the impact of sport within the Niagara region. Dr. Stevens, with the support of a student research team, has gathered data from sport events, facilities, and organizations from across the region. The data are analyzed to inform evidence-based decisions about the social and economic value of sport in the region.

Led by Dr. Michelle K. Donnelly, Associate Professor of Sport Management, the Biathlon Canada project involves a gender audit of the national sport organization. This project focuses upon the athletes, coaches, technical officials, decision makers/leaders, staff, programs, policies, and budget of Biathlon Canada. The purpose of the gender audit is to research how gender is taken into consideration within the organization. The findings shed light on areas where gender equity policies and practices can be improved in Biathlon Canada and other sport organizations.