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Research

At Rugby Ontario, we value informed decision-making and strive to support, promote, participate in, and conduct research and related opportunities that impact our sport and community. Here you can find more information on ongoing studies looking for participants, published research relevant to our members, and events and other opportunities to engage with and learn from researchers and their work.

Participate

To Risk, or Not to Risk? Exploring the Notion of Safety in Canadian Sport from Policy to Person

This study is is exploring the various experiences and perceptions of safety and/or risk in grassroots level rugby in Canada.

Open to:

  • Athletes
  • Coaches
  • Parents
  • Match Officials
  • Volunteers
All participants interested in participating will be asked to sign an informed consent form and fill out an initial demographic questionnaire. Rugby players will complete two virtual interviews as well as a written reflection exercise. Participants who occupy a role in rugby (coaches, officials, parents, administrators, etc.) will be asked to partake in one interview on Zoom. The interview(s) should take approximately 30 to 60 minutes.
Please note participation is completely voluntary and will have the ability to withdraw at any point throughout the study. The findings from this study will be shared at conferences or in presentations, along with publications in both research journals and sport orientated mediums. All data will be anonymized, and personal information will be kept confidential. Personal information will not be shared in the final report or any publications.
If you are interested in participating in the study, please contact Samantha Burelle via email at sjbur@yorku.ca. And if you know someone that may be interested in participating, please feel free to circulate the poster and/or share the contact information.

University of Guelph’s International Institute for Sport Business and Leadership

The International Institute for Sport Business and Leadership (IISBL) at the University of Guelph is conducting a research study to explore how Canadian rugby fans and players engage with the sport through participation, fandom, and consumer behaviour, and how this engagement supports rugby growth across Canada. The study aims to provide valuable insights to help rugby organizations, sponsors, and policymakers better understand and support the rugby community.

We are inviting members of your rugby community, including players, fans, coaches, or supporters, to complete a brief online survey. The survey takes about 12–15 minutes and is entirely anonymous.

Participation is voluntary, and individuals can withdraw at any time before submitting the survey by simply closing their browser. No personal identifying information will be collected. The only criteria for participating in this survey are that individuals must be 18 years of age or older, reside in Canada or be a Canadian citizen, and have engaged with or followed rugby, through watching or participating, at least once within the past 18 months.

The Research Ethics Board has reviewed this project for compliance with federal guidelines for research involving human participants (REB #2317).

Complete the Survey

Learn

Rugby Ontario Participation and Retention ResearchFostering BelongingYouth SportSafety

This research is being conducted at York University by Dr. Karl Erickson.

Rugby Retention Research

Insights from Rugby Ontario’s Member Retention Research

Participation, Recruitment and Retention in Rugby

Fostering Wellness During COVID-19 with Dr. Lauren Wolman

Alternatives to Hazing with Jay Johnson, PhD

Does Culture Really Count in Sport?

Do you see what I see? Understanding talent selection in sport

FUN: High Performance vs Community Sport & FUN MAPS

Cultivating a Mastery Climate in Youth Sport

How a UCalgary researcher is changing tackle safety in women’s rugby

Perceptions of Concussion Symptom Self-Reporting and Removal from Play in a Rugby Club’s Junior Programs: Recommendations for Shared Responsibility

“That’s a Blue for you”: Referee experiences managing concussion injury risk in Canadian amateur rugby

Concussions and Confidence: Why Mental Readiness Matters in Recovery

Engage

Ontario Sports Network

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Youth Sport Summit 2026

The Centre for Healthy Youth Development through Sport is proud to host the 2026 Youth Sport Summit on May 12, 2026. 

This year’s theme is “Engage, Collaborate, Empower” and features keynote speaker Marika Warner, Director of Research and Insights, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) Launchpad

Post-secondary students, academics, community members and professionals involved in youth sport and physical activity programming/research are encouraged to attend and present!

To find out more details on how you can submit an abstract and register for the event, please visit http://event.fourwaves.com/yss2026

Registration is now open and closes May 6th, 2026 at 11:59pm – Click here to register.

The Soccer Summit 2026

The Soccer Summit 2026 is a reimagined national platform taking place February 20–22, 2026 at York University in Toronto.

This year’s theme “Canada United: Building a Soccer Nation”—will unite grassroots leaders, professional clubs, and national stakeholders for three days of learning, networking, and innovation.

To find out more details by visiting https://www.ontariosoccer.net/the-soccer-summit

National Diversity in Sports Conference

The Diversity in Sports Conference is an annual event that brings together individuals and organizations from across Canada to learn, connect, and collaborate on creating a more inclusive and equitable amateur sport system. It is a 3-day event that features keynote speakers, workshops, and panel discussions focused on addressing systemic barriers and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in sports.

Learn more: https://inclusionincanadiansports.ca/2026disc/

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