Grassroots sports development refers to the promotion and support of non-elite, community-based sport and physical activity programs that are accessible to all individuals—especially those who may face barriers to participation due to socioeconomic, cultural, geographic, or systemic factors.
The primary goals of grassroots sports development are to:
- Increase participation in physical activity and sport at the community level.
- Foster inclusivity and accessibility by removing financial, cultural, and logistical barriers.
- Promote physical, mental, and social well-being among diverse populations.
- Develop foundational skills in youth and adults, including teamwork, discipline, and leadership.
- Create sustainable pathways for lifelong engagement in sport, whether recreational or competitive.
Unlike high-performance or elite sports systems, which focus on athletic excellence and competition, grassroots sports prioritize broad-based participation, fun, development, and community connection.
In the Canadian context, grassroots sports development often involves partnerships between schools, local nonprofits, municipalities, and national sport organizations to deliver programming that is inclusive, culturally relevant, and aligned with community needs.
Why Grassroots Sports Matter
Sports are more than just games. At the grassroots level, they serve as powerful tools for community engagement, social inclusion, physical and mental health, and youth development. Grassroots sports development refers to community-based, non-elite sports activities that provide access and opportunities to all individuals, particularly those who are underrepresented or disadvantaged.
In Canada, systemic barriers such as socio-economic disparities, racial and cultural exclusion, and lack of infrastructure can prevent marginalized communities—particularly Indigenous, Black, immigrant, and low-income populations—from participating in organized sports. However, numerous studies demonstrate that strategic investment in grassroots sports initiatives can create lasting, positive outcomes for individuals and communities alike.
Read on to explore more about the academic research behind grassroots sports development, how it fosters inclusion, and how organizations like Rising Stars are creating long-term impact in marginalized Canadian communities.
The Socioeconomic Divide in Canadian Sports Participation
In Canada, sports participation is deeply influenced by household income. According to a 2023 report by Canadian Women & Sport, youth from families earning more than $100,000 are nearly three times more likely to participate in organized sports than those from families earning less than $30,000.
The Canadian Heritage Sport Participation 2020 survey also found that racialized Canadians and recent immigrants are significantly underrepresented in mainstream sports. These gaps are compounded by factors such as lack of transportation, prohibitive registration fees, cultural exclusion, and limited awareness of opportunities.
Dr. Guylaine Demers, a professor at Laval University and contributor to the Pan-Canadian Research Agenda on Equity in Sport, notes that “access to sport is an equity issue, not a luxury. Without purposeful design, sport replicates existing power structures rather than dismantling them.”
The Long-Term Benefits of Grassroots Sports Development
Grassroots sports development goes beyond mere participation. It is about fostering resilience, leadership, and long-term community wellbeing. Several Canadian studies provide empirical support for the wide-ranging benefits:
1. Physical and Mental Health
The Public Health Agency of Canada (2021) outlines how regular participation in community-based physical activity is associated with reduced rates of depression, anxiety, and obesity—particularly in low-income populations. Grassroots sports offer consistent, safe, and socially meaningful contexts for youth to stay active.
2. Academic Achievement and Youth Engagement
Research by Dr. Jean Harvey at the University of Ottawa indicates a positive correlation between sports participation and academic success in under-resourced schools. Involvement in team sports improves focus, school attendance, and social integration, reducing dropout rates among marginalized youth.
3. Social Capital and Inclusion
A 2019 study by Sport for Life Canada found that grassroots sports foster trust, leadership skills, and intergenerational ties. These programs build what sociologists refer to as “social capital”—networks and norms that enable cooperation and civic engagement, which are especially critical in marginalized communities.
Barriers Facing Marginalized Communities in Sport
Despite the benefits, systemic and structural barriers continue to limit access to sports for many Canadians. Key challenges include:
- Financial Barriers: Registration fees, equipment costs, and transportation remain significant hurdles.
- Cultural and Racial Exclusion: The Black Canadian Coaches Association (BCCA) and Indigenous Sport & Wellness Ontario have highlighted that many youth of colour feel unwelcome or underrepresented in traditional sports organizations.
- Geographic Isolation: Rural and Northern communities, including many Indigenous reserves, often lack the basic infrastructure needed for consistent sports programming.
- Lack of Culturally Safe Programming: Programs that fail to account for cultural identity, trauma history, or intergenerational marginalization often see low engagement and high attrition.
Dr. Janice Forsyth, a researcher from Western University and member of the Fisher River Cree Nation, has written extensively about how colonial legacies in Canadian sport still affect Indigenous youth participation. She notes that “we must rethink not only who gets to play but how programs are designed, led, and evaluated.”
Effective Models for Inclusive Grassroots Sports
Fortunately, several Canadian initiatives offer successful models for inclusive, community-led sport:
1. The Long-Term Development (LTD) Model by Sport for Life
This model advocates for age- and skill-appropriate sport programming from childhood to adulthood. It emphasizes fun, development, and accessibility over competition and early specialization. Grassroots adaptations of LTD help local organizations meet youth where they are—both physically and developmentally.
2. MLSE LaunchPad in Toronto
MLSE LaunchPad is a sport-for-development facility that uses sports to deliver social impact programming for youth facing barriers. A 2022 evaluation by Taylor Newberry Consulting found that 78% of participants reported improved leadership skills, while 64% experienced better mental health after six months of involvement.
3. Right to Play’s Promoting Life-skills in Aboriginal Youth (PLAY) Program
This initiative uses sport and play to support the mental health and wellbeing of Indigenous youth. An independent impact assessment by Evaluations Canada showed increased community engagement, resilience, and school participation among youth in remote communities.
The Importance of Representation and Leadership
For grassroots sports programs to succeed long-term, leadership must reflect the communities being served. That means investing in the training and support of coaches, mentors, and administrators from marginalized groups.
According to the 2022 Canadian Coaching Report, less than 10% of certified coaches identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour), despite these communities making up over 25% of Canada’s population. Leadership diversity is not just a representation issue; it directly affects program relevance and community trust.
Rising Stars has made this a core priority—recruiting and mentoring local leaders to ensure programs are culturally responsive and community-driven.
Measuring Impact and Ensuring Sustainability
Long-term impact in grassroots sports development requires robust evaluation, continuous community engagement, and stable funding. Key metrics often include:
- Youth retention and program attendance rates
- Self-reported improvements in mental and physical health
- School performance and behavioral outcomes
- Increased leadership opportunities for community members
The True Sport Foundation encourages the use of Participatory Action Research (PAR), an inclusive evaluation approach that centers participant voices and community priorities in determining program success.
Case Study: Rising Stars in Action
Rising Stars is a Canadian community-based sports organization working to dismantle barriers and uplift youth in marginalized communities through sport, mentorship, and leadership training.
Operating across Ontario and in Northern Quebec, Rising Stars delivers after-school, school break, and summer basketball, soccer, and multi-sport programs that are:
- Free or low-cost, with all necessary equipment provided;
- Culturally responsive, led by mentors who understand the unique challenges youth face;
- Holistic, combining sport with nutrition support, tutoring, and mental wellness resources;
- Locally rooted, with community partners including educators, school boards, and indigenous education ambassadors.
Rising Stars believes that sport can be a vehicle for intergenerational change—and their model reflects that commitment by embedding leadership opportunities for youth alumni to become peer mentors, coaches, and advocates.
Final Thoughts: Building an Equitable Future Through Sport
Grassroots sports development holds transformative potential—but only if we are intentional in how we design and deliver programs. Equity must be the cornerstone of sports policy and practice in Canada. That means recognizing systemic barriers, embracing culturally safe programming, and investing in the leadership of marginalized communities.
The research is clear: when done right, grassroots sports can foster health, resilience, connection, and opportunity across generations.
At Rising Stars, we are committed to building that brighter future by empowering marginalized youth through sports that uplift, connect, and inspire. Whether you’re a parent, educator, funder, or community leader, we invite you to be part of this journey.
Reach out to us today to learn more or get involved: https://riseabovetherest.ca/contact/