LAUSR

ABSTRACT Sport is an important and universal element of culture, providing people with opportunities for improved health and fitness and for social interaction through which they can develop knowledge, skills and attitudes for full participation in society. Through its capacity to deepen inclusion and encourage, improve health and wellbeing, and help realise fundamental human rights, sport has been characterised as a form of positive social capital. However, sport frequently fails to deliver on its promise, and it has a long history of inhumane treatment of athletes at all levels, particularly women and trans athletes who do not confirm to heteronormative genders and identities. This paper highlights several examples of unequal treatment based on gender and two useful Canadian policy responses. It then argues that these statements/policies are not enough. The aims of sport would benefit from greater attention to both the value foundation for sport, and the mechanisms for realising a new sporting culture within which athletes of all genders can thrive. It goes on to articulate some of the key values and some mechanisms for achieving improved inclusivity. It also appends a Statement of Values and Actions on Gender Inclusivity, which was developed in part through the ‘Inclusiveness in Sport Roundtable’, a facilitated, multi-disciplinary discussion held with key actors in Nova Scotia sport.