The Ottawa Sport Council Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Panel Discussion Video is a conversation among leaders in our sport community about how to create a welcoming and inclusive sporting environment for all to participate. Panelists share their lived experiences and perspectives on levelling the field of play.
Meet the EDI Panelists:
Shauna Bookal, Field Hockey Ontario:
Shauna is the Executive Director of Field Hockey Ontario as well as a part-time professor for Durham College’s Sport Management program. Shauna also has extensive experiences with the Coaching Association of Canada and the Black Canadian Coaches Association. Shauna brings a wealth of knowledge to the panel discussion and believes in the power of representation and inclusion for all.
Justin Bobb, MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Partnership):
As the Director of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion for MLSE, Justin supports using sport as an agent for positive change and a tool for engagement for youth facing barriers. Justin has previously worked with MLSE LaunchPad, Toronto Community Housing, as well as the Toronto Sports Council. He also has been a dedicated basketball coach.
David Muddiman, Gay Ottawa Volleyball:
As the President of Gay Ottawa Volleyball, David works to create space for athletes who may have had negative experiences around sports, having been alienated, intimidated, or even bullied in athletic spaces due to their gender identity or sexual orientation. David and Gay Ottawa Volleyball believe in the power of sport to create inclusive communities and bring folks together.
This panel is moderated by Ian Mendes, a Canadian journalist currently working as a senior writer for The Athletic. Prior to joining The Athletic, Ian was the afternoon talk show host for TSN 1200 as well as a television reporter for Rogers Sportsnet. Ian is dedicated to the diversification of Canadian sports journalism.
The Ottawa Sport Council’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Panel Discussion Video is released with the continued support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Resilient Communities Fund as part of the Rebound program. The program complements and enhances the resources found in the Ottawa Return to Play Roadmap.