Change the Game
Research Project
Launched by MLSE Foundation in partnership with the University of Toronto Centre for Sport Policy Studies, the Change the Game research project includes an anonymous online survey aimed at understanding sport and physical activity-related access, engagement, and equity issues across Ontario. Between now and November 15, 2025 we aim to engage the voices of 10,000-15,000 youth and parents/guardians of youth across Ontario.
We need your help!
If you are between the ages of 6-29 in Ontario, or a parent/guardian of a young person, please click here to open the consent form and the survey to fill out. The entire process takes under 10 minutes. As a thank you for your time and feedback, anyone who completes the survey will be eligible for a free prize draw that includes tickets to a future home game or a special apparel package with swag from your choice of the Toronto Argos, Toronto FC, Toronto Maple Leafs, or Toronto Raptors valued at $1,000.
If you are connected to youth in Ontario, please share this page as widely as possible with your networks.
We need your help!
If you are between the ages of 6-29 in Ontario, or a parent/guardian of a young person, please click here to open the consent form and the survey to fill out. The entire process takes under 10 minutes. As a thank you for your time and feedback, anyone who completes the survey will be eligible for a free prize draw that includes tickets to a future home game or a special apparel package with swag from your choice of the Toronto Argos, Toronto FC, Toronto Maple Leafs, or Toronto Raptors valued at $1,000.
If you are connected to youth in Ontario, please share this page as widely as possible with your networks.
WHAT ARE WE HOPING TO LEARN?
The Change the Game research project hopes to answer three key questions:
1. Access: Do Ontario youth have adequate access to sport opportunities, and why or why not? How does youth sport access differ based on demographic variables?
2. Engagement: Are Ontario youth engaging in sport opportunities, and why or why not? How does youth sport engagement differ based on demographic variables?
3. Equity: How are demographic variables impacting youth sport participation, access, safety and engagement?
1. Access: Do Ontario youth have adequate access to sport opportunities, and why or why not? How does youth sport access differ based on demographic variables?
2. Engagement: Are Ontario youth engaging in sport opportunities, and why or why not? How does youth sport engagement differ based on demographic variables?
3. Equity: How are demographic variables impacting youth sport participation, access, safety and engagement?
WHY SHOULD I PARTICIPATE?
The feedback shared from participants will provide important information to help improve how youth sport is provided, and address an under-researched aspect of sport equity.
WHO IS LEADING THIS RESEARCH?
The names and titles of all members of the study team are as follows:
Bryan Heal
Social Impact Research Lead
MLSE Community Engagement & Social Impact
Bryan.heal@mlselaunchpad.org
Marika Warner
Director, Research & Insights
MLSE Community Engagement & Social Impact
Dr. Simon Darnell
Associate Professor, Sport for Development and Peace, Faculty of KPE
Director, Centre for Sport Policy Studies
University of Toronto
Jackie Robinson
Manager, Research & Evaluation
MLSE LaunchPad
Nathaniel Crane
Change the Game Research Assistant
MLSE LaunchPad
Jesse Porter
Change the Game Research Assistant
University of Toronto
Throughout the project, the Change the Game research team will receive constructive guidance from a diverse group of internal and external advisors, including scholars, sport and play providers, and subject-matter experts.
Bryan Heal
Social Impact Research Lead
MLSE Community Engagement & Social Impact
Bryan.heal@mlselaunchpad.org
Marika Warner
Director, Research & Insights
MLSE Community Engagement & Social Impact
Dr. Simon Darnell
Associate Professor, Sport for Development and Peace, Faculty of KPE
Director, Centre for Sport Policy Studies
University of Toronto
Jackie Robinson
Manager, Research & Evaluation
MLSE LaunchPad
Nathaniel Crane
Change the Game Research Assistant
MLSE LaunchPad
Jesse Porter
Change the Game Research Assistant
University of Toronto
Throughout the project, the Change the Game research team will receive constructive guidance from a diverse group of internal and external advisors, including scholars, sport and play providers, and subject-matter experts.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Who is funding this research?
A: The Change the Game research project and partnership is funded by MLSE Foundation and the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada’s Abuse-Free Sport Research Program.
Q: What research gap does this project address?
A: Existing sport equity report cards prioritize age and gender data, but present limited insights for deeper understanding of racial, cultural, neighbourhood, and other equity-related lenses.
Q: Why does your definition of youth go up to 29 years old?
A: MLSE Foundation understands that there are many definitions of youth and that different people develop in different ways. As a result, we wanted to ensure a broad range of individuals identifying as youth can be included, and not limit the definition to the age of majority.
Q: What sports are included in this research?
A: Sport inclusion covers a broad range of sports, including both team sports like basketball and individual sports and athletic pursuits, such as cycling and dance, which are played or performed competitively, in community settings, or informally, such as at drop-ins. If it is a sport you can play, it counts!
Q: How long will the questionnaire take to fill out?
A: Approximately 8-10 minutes.
Q: Do I have to answer every question on the survey?
A: No. Your participation is 100% voluntary and you can stop at any time. If you are not comfortable answering a question, you may choose not to answer.
Q: What are the benefits of the research?
A: The feedback provided may help generate new knowledge on an under-researched intersection of sport engagement and equity. Key insights and recommendations will inform opportunities to improve access and experiences for youth in Ontario. The results of the research will be publicly available online for organizations, funders and policymakers to access, which may help inform and improve the diversity and quality of sport opportunities available in different communities.
Q: Are there any risks I should know about?
A: The risks of involvement in this project are minimal. There is a chance you might feel some emotional discomfort in reflecting on your experiences related to sport, privilege and/or marginalization. You may skip any questions you do not feel comfortable in answering.
Q: Can you tell me more about the prize draw?
A: Everyone who completes the survey will be eligible to be entered in a draw for a grand prize of a ticket and experience package for a future Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto FC or Toronto Argos home game and/or a special apparel package from your favourite team. At the end of the questionnaire, respondents interested in participating in the prize draw will be redirected to a separate form where they can enter contact information needed to facilitate the draw. This separate form ensures that the responses to the survey remain anonymous and disconnected from any personally identifying information provided when opting in to the prize draw. The optional prize draw form is the only time your name and contact information will be asked, and it will be deleted directly by the Project Lead identified below upon completion and fulfillment of the prize draw.
Q: Is the information I share confidential?
A: The research team treats all responses to survey questions as confidential. Shared results or reports from the research team will only involve anonymized, aggregated findings that do not include personally identifying information. If you choose to enter additional open-ended feedback, any direct quotes used in reports will be anonymous without participants being able to vet quotes or be individually identified as the source of quotes.
Q: How will the results of the research be shared?
A: The information shared will be analyzed for insights and trends. The aggregate findings will be shared with a diverse range of audiences interested in youth sport access, engagement and equity in Ontario. This includes in reports, academic publication, presentations and online. Aggregate findings will be maintained in perpetuity, and key insights will also be made available in a visual dashboard on a publicly accessible web page.
Q: How do I contact the researchers if I have any questions about the project or want to get involved further?
A: Please contact Bryan, Social Impact Research Lead, via email at bryan.heal@mlselaunchpad.org.
A: The Change the Game research project and partnership is funded by MLSE Foundation and the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada’s Abuse-Free Sport Research Program.
Q: What research gap does this project address?
A: Existing sport equity report cards prioritize age and gender data, but present limited insights for deeper understanding of racial, cultural, neighbourhood, and other equity-related lenses.
Q: Why does your definition of youth go up to 29 years old?
A: MLSE Foundation understands that there are many definitions of youth and that different people develop in different ways. As a result, we wanted to ensure a broad range of individuals identifying as youth can be included, and not limit the definition to the age of majority.
Q: What sports are included in this research?
A: Sport inclusion covers a broad range of sports, including both team sports like basketball and individual sports and athletic pursuits, such as cycling and dance, which are played or performed competitively, in community settings, or informally, such as at drop-ins. If it is a sport you can play, it counts!
Q: How long will the questionnaire take to fill out?
A: Approximately 8-10 minutes.
Q: Do I have to answer every question on the survey?
A: No. Your participation is 100% voluntary and you can stop at any time. If you are not comfortable answering a question, you may choose not to answer.
Q: What are the benefits of the research?
A: The feedback provided may help generate new knowledge on an under-researched intersection of sport engagement and equity. Key insights and recommendations will inform opportunities to improve access and experiences for youth in Ontario. The results of the research will be publicly available online for organizations, funders and policymakers to access, which may help inform and improve the diversity and quality of sport opportunities available in different communities.
Q: Are there any risks I should know about?
A: The risks of involvement in this project are minimal. There is a chance you might feel some emotional discomfort in reflecting on your experiences related to sport, privilege and/or marginalization. You may skip any questions you do not feel comfortable in answering.
Q: Can you tell me more about the prize draw?
A: Everyone who completes the survey will be eligible to be entered in a draw for a grand prize of a ticket and experience package for a future Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto FC or Toronto Argos home game and/or a special apparel package from your favourite team. At the end of the questionnaire, respondents interested in participating in the prize draw will be redirected to a separate form where they can enter contact information needed to facilitate the draw. This separate form ensures that the responses to the survey remain anonymous and disconnected from any personally identifying information provided when opting in to the prize draw. The optional prize draw form is the only time your name and contact information will be asked, and it will be deleted directly by the Project Lead identified below upon completion and fulfillment of the prize draw.
Q: Is the information I share confidential?
A: The research team treats all responses to survey questions as confidential. Shared results or reports from the research team will only involve anonymized, aggregated findings that do not include personally identifying information. If you choose to enter additional open-ended feedback, any direct quotes used in reports will be anonymous without participants being able to vet quotes or be individually identified as the source of quotes.
Q: How will the results of the research be shared?
A: The information shared will be analyzed for insights and trends. The aggregate findings will be shared with a diverse range of audiences interested in youth sport access, engagement and equity in Ontario. This includes in reports, academic publication, presentations and online. Aggregate findings will be maintained in perpetuity, and key insights will also be made available in a visual dashboard on a publicly accessible web page.
Q: How do I contact the researchers if I have any questions about the project or want to get involved further?
A: Please contact Bryan, Social Impact Research Lead, via email at bryan.heal@mlselaunchpad.org.