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Beyond Compliance: Reimagining Safe Sport Through Safeguarding Safe sport has become a central priority across Canadian sport, yet concerns about harm, exclusion, and trust continue to persist. While current safe sport initiatives have advanced awareness and accountability, they often remain focused on responding to individual misconduct and meeting compliance requirements. This presentation argues for a broader conceptual shift toward safeguarding sport, a preventive, systems-based, and rights-based approach that embeds athlete well-being into the design, governance, and culture of sport. Participants will be invited to consider how safeguarding can move the conversation beyond reactive measures toward meaningful and sustainable system change.

PANEL 1 PRESENTER: Dr. Joseph Gurgis

Beyond Compliance: Reimagining Safe Sport Through Safeguarding

Faculty of Health Sciences Associate Teaching Professor, Ontario Tech University

Researcher and educator specializing in safeguarding sport and athlete well-being.

Beyond Compliance: Reimagining Safe Sport Through Safeguarding

Safe sport has become a central priority across Canadian sport, yet concerns about harm, exclusion, and trust continue to persist. While current safe sport initiatives have advanced awareness and accountability, they often remain focused on responding to individual misconduct and meeting compliance requirements. This presentation argues for a broader conceptual shift toward safeguarding sport, a preventive, systems-based, and rights-based approach that embeds athlete well-being into the design, governance, and culture of sport. Participants will be invited to consider how safeguarding can move the conversation beyond
reactive measures toward meaningful and sustainable system change.

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