The landscape for women’s sport is changing rapidly. Rising professionalization, increased investment and expanding media visibility have brought us to a pivotal moment, where history is being made daily.
But beyond the headlines, significant challenges remain.
From the decline in teen girls meeting the daily physical activity recommendations (Statistics Canada) to the continued underrepresentation of women in coaching and governance roles (SIRC), there’s still a lot to be done.
Research shows that sport is a powerful platform for development for girls and women. Women who play sports are more likely to hold leadership positions: an Ernst & Young study found that 94% of C-suite women in the U.S. were former athletes. And 85% of women attribute their career success to the skills they developed by playing sports, according to a Deloitte report.
Legacy in the Making: The Future of Women's Sport brought together a powerhouse panel, with leaders across professional sport, research, coaching and athlete advocacy coming together to highlight how Canada can move from momentum to sustainable impact in women’s sport.
Hosted by the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education on March 25, 2026, the panelists explored the opportunities that lay ahead as well as the existing challenges for women's sport, touching upon a range of topics including access, funding, infrastructure and athlete and coach development pathways.
Panelists
- Moderated by Shireen Ahmed, Journalist, Senior Contributor, CBC Sports
- Catherine Sabiston, Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education
- Teresa Resch, President, Toronto Tempo
- Jayna Hefford, EVP, Hockey Operations, Professional Women's Hockey League
- Diana Matheson, Founder and Chief Growth Officer, Northern Super League
- Vicky Sunohara, Head Coach, Varsity Blues Women's Hockey
Highlight Reel