Welcome to another episode of The Sporting Change Podcast!

If you enjoyed today’s conversation, you’ll be happy to know there’s more to come. Make sure to tune in to Part 2 of our discussion with Ryan, where we dive into audience questions and keep the conversation going. We’ll see you there!

This week we have a special two-part episode with Ryan Virtue to celebrate National Coaches Week here in Canada, and to honor the incredible coaches who dedicate their time, energy, and passion to athletes across the country.

Ryan brings a wealth of experience to the conversation. He currently serves as Partnership and Development Manager with Positive Coaching Alliance in Cleveland, where he helps create partnerships, build community, and expand PCA’s reach. A former collegiate baseball player at Niagara University, Ryan has worn many hats in sport—athlete, coach, event manager, and leader. Originally from Ottawa, he’s dedicated his career to ensuring young athletes have positive experiences on and off the field.

For those new to Positive Coaching Alliance, PCA is a national non-profit working to transform the culture of youth sports. Their mission is simple but powerful: to make sure every child—no matter their background—has access to a positive sports experience. Through collaboration, empathy, learning, and equity, PCA equips coaches to inspire athletes to become the best version of themselves in the game and in life.

In today’s first part, we’ll dive into Ryan’s coaching philosophies and explore the power of sport to shape lives. Then in part two, we’ll flip the mic and bring in audience questions for Ryan.

We’re thrilled to bring you this conversation—please tune in to both parts, because you won’t want to miss a moment. Let’s get started!

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⁠⁠⁠Dare to Care, a trailblazing organization committed to tackling bullying in sports, is now the proud host of the Sporting Change Podcast! 

Thanks to their partnership with BRP’s⁠ ⁠⁠Ride out Intimidation⁠⁠⁠ program, Dare to Care’s Sporting Change Podcast can continue to educate and empower sport leaders around the world. 

Please click here or follow us on social media @daretocaresports if you want more information on how to get your free Dare to Care bullying prevention sessions!

Welcome to another episode of The Sporting Change Podcast!

This week we have a special two-part episode with Ryan Virtue to celebrate National Coaches Week here in Canada, and to honor the incredible coaches who dedicate their time, energy, and passion to athletes across the country.

Ryan brings a wealth of experience to the conversation. He currently serves as Partnership and Development Manager with Positive Coaching Alliance in Cleveland, where he helps create partnerships, build community, and expand PCA’s reach. A former collegiate baseball player at Niagara University, Ryan has worn many hats in sport—athlete, coach, event manager, and leader. Originally from Ottawa, he’s dedicated his career to ensuring young athletes have positive experiences on and off the field.

For those new to Positive Coaching Alliance, PCA is a national non-profit working to transform the culture of youth sports. Their mission is simple but powerful: to make sure every child—no matter their background—has access to a positive sports experience. Through collaboration, empathy, learning, and equity, PCA equips coaches to inspire athletes to become the best version of themselves in the game and in life.

In today’s first part, we’ll dive into Ryan’s coaching philosophies and explore the power of sport to shape lives. Then in part two, we’ll flip the mic and bring in audience questions for Ryan.

We’re thrilled to bring you this conversation—please tune in to both parts, because you won’t want to miss a moment. Let’s get started!

—----

⁠⁠⁠Dare to Care, a trailblazing organization committed to tackling bullying in sports, is now the proud host of the Sporting Change Podcast! 

Thanks to their partnership with BRP’s⁠ ⁠⁠Ride out Intimidation⁠⁠⁠ program, Dare to Care’s Sporting Change Podcast can continue to educate and empower sport leaders around the world. 

Please click here or follow us on social media @daretocaresports if you want more information on how to get your free Dare to Care bullying prevention sessions!

Rewind Series: Pride Month Edition!

Pride Month is an important time to celebrate, uplift, and stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. At The Sporting Change Podcast, our commitment to inclusion, equality, and representation isn't limited to just one month—it's a 365-day-a-year mission. Reposting - Rewinding - this series of four powerful episodes is our way of spotlighting voices and stories that deserve to be heard—not just during Pride, but always. This month simply offers another meaningful opportunity to amplify those voices and keep pushing for real, lasting change in sport and beyond.

—----

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dare to Care, ⁠⁠⁠a trailblazing organization committed to tackling bullying in sports, is now the proud host of the Sporting Change Podcast! 

Thanks to their partnership with BRP’s⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Ride out Intimidation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ program, Dare to Care’s Sporting Change Podcast can continue to educate and empower sport leaders around the world. 

Please click ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ or follow us on social media ⁠⁠⁠@daretocaresports⁠⁠⁠ if you want more information on how to get your free Dare to Care bullying prevention sessions!

Rewind Series: Pride Month Edition!

Pride Month is an important time to celebrate, uplift, and stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. At The Sporting Change Podcast, our commitment to inclusion, equality, and representation isn't limited to just one month—it's a 365-day-a-year mission. Reposting - Rewinding - this series of four powerful episodes is our way of spotlighting voices and stories that deserve to be heard—not just during Pride, but always. This month simply offers another meaningful opportunity to amplify those voices and keep pushing for real, lasting change in sport and beyond.

—----

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dare to Care, ⁠⁠a trailblazing organization committed to tackling bullying in sports, is now the proud host of the Sporting Change Podcast! 

Thanks to their partnership with BRP’s⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Ride out Intimidation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ program, Dare to Care’s Sporting Change Podcast can continue to educate and empower sport leaders around the world. 

Please click ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ or follow us on social media ⁠⁠@daretocaresports⁠⁠ if you want more information on how to get your free Dare to Care bullying prevention sessions!

Rewind Series: Pride Month Edition!

Pride Month is an important time to celebrate, uplift, and stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. At The Sporting Change Podcast, our commitment to inclusion, equality, and representation isn't limited to just one month—it's a 365-day-a-year mission. Reposting - Rewinding - this series of four powerful episodes is our way of spotlighting voices and stories that deserve to be heard—not just during Pride, but always. This month simply offers another meaningful opportunity to amplify those voices and keep pushing for real, lasting change in sport and beyond.

—----

⁠⁠⁠⁠Dare to Care, ⁠a trailblazing organization committed to tackling bullying in sports, is now the proud host of the Sporting Change Podcast! 

Thanks to their partnership with BRP’s⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Ride out Intimidation⁠⁠⁠⁠ program, Dare to Care’s Sporting Change Podcast can continue to educate and empower sport leaders around the world. 

Please click ⁠here⁠ or follow us on social media ⁠@daretocaresports⁠ if you want more information on how to get your free Dare to Care bullying prevention sessions!

Rewind Series: Pride Month Edition!

Pride Month is an important time to celebrate, uplift, and stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. At The Sporting Change Podcast, our commitment to inclusion, equality, and representation isn't limited to just one month—it's a 365-day-a-year mission. Reposting - Rewinding - this series of four powerful episodes is our way of spotlighting voices and stories that deserve to be heard—not just during Pride, but always. This month simply offers another meaningful opportunity to amplify those voices and keep pushing for real, lasting change in sport and beyond.

Welcome to another episode of the Sporting Change Podcast!

Today’s guest is Canadian beach volleyball player Sophie Bukovec, who became the first ever full time beach volleyball athlete in Canada. She first broke onto the scene in 2014, winning gold at the U21 World Championships—making history as the first Canadian woman to do so—alongside Tiadora Miric. Since then, she’s climbed the ranks of the international beach volleyball world, partnering with some of the sport’s biggest Canadian names and competing on stages around the globe.

Most recently, Sophie teamed up with Olympic veteran Heather Bansley. Less than a year after their first match together, they won the NORCECA Olympic Qualifier in 2024, punching their ticket to the Paris Olympics. Along the way, the pair also earned podium finishes in Brazil and Mexico, showing just how quickly they clicked on court. Before that, Sophie had a standout season with Brandie Wilkerson, taking silver at the 2022 World Championships in only their fifth tournament together.

Her journey began in indoor volleyball at McMaster University, but it was in beach volleyball where Sophie found her stride. After transferring to Long Beach State, she eventually landed at the University of Southern California, where she helped USC win back-to-back NCAA Beach Volleyball Championships in 2016 and 2017, serving as team captain and earning All-American honours.

Off the court, Sophie is a self proclaimed foodie and cat lover! She also loves to give back to her volleyball community… She’s the founder and executive director of The Northern Elite, a volleyball academy where she coaches and mentors young athletes. 

On today’s episode, we’re catching up with Sophie to find out what life’s been like since the 2024 Paris Olympics—what she’s been up to, what she’s learned, and how her path from university courts to the national stage has shaped who she is today. We hope you enjoy the show!

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⁠⁠⁠Dare to Care, a trailblazing organization committed to tackling bullying in sports, is now the proud host of the Sporting Change Podcast! 

Thanks to their partnership with BRP’s⁠ ⁠⁠Ride out Intimidation⁠⁠⁠ program, Dare to Care’s Sporting Change Podcast can continue to educate and empower sport leaders around the world. 

Please click here or follow us on social media @daretocaresports if you want more information on how to get your free Dare to Care bullying prevention sessions!

Welcome to a special Earth Day edition of the Sporting Change Podcast! 

To honor Earth Day, we believe it’s important to pause and reflect on how climate change is already impacting our sports but also consider how sports themself may be contributing to the crisis. Sport has the power to drive change, but it’s crucial we recognize both its challenges and its potential to lead in sustainability.

We’re excited to be joined by Dr. Madeleine Orr (She/Her), a leading expert in the intersection of sport and sustainability. Originally from Toronto, Dr. Orr has lived and worked across the globe, from France to the UK, the USA, Brazil, and China. After years of international experience, she’s now back in her hometown..

Dr. Orr is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, and the Founder & Co-Director of The Sport Ecology Group. Her research focuses on climate vulnerability and adaptation within sport organizations, with a particular emphasis on the roles athletes and sport media can play in communicating climate messages to the broader public.

In addition to her academic work, Dr. Orr has received numerous accolades, including being named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2021, Corporate Knights 30 Under 30 in Sustainability Leadership, and much more. She’s a public speaker and a fierce advocate for integrating climate action into the sports world.

Thanks for tuning in as we try to answer this question in today’s episode—

Is the world of sport ready for climate change?

Let’s get into it!

To contact Maddy, check out: https://www.sportecology.org/about-seg

Her book: Warming Up: How Climate Change is Changing Sport

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⁠⁠⁠Dare to Care, a trailblazing organization committed to tackling bullying in sports, is now the proud host of the Sporting Change Podcast! 

Thanks to their partnership with BRP’s⁠ ⁠⁠Ride out Intimidation⁠⁠⁠ program, Dare to Care’s Sporting Change Podcast can continue to educate and empower sport leaders around the world. 

Please click here or follow us on social media @daretocaresports if you want more information on how to get your free Dare to Care bullying prevention sessions!

Welcome to a special Earth Day edition of the Sporting Change Podcast! 

To honor Earth Day, we believe it’s important to pause and reflect on how climate change is already impacting our sports but also consider how sports themself may be contributing to the crisis. Sport has the power to drive change, but it’s crucial we recognize both its challenges and its potential to lead in sustainability.

We’re excited to be joined by Dr. Madeleine Orr (She/Her), a leading expert in the intersection of sport and sustainability. Originally from Toronto, Dr. Orr has lived and worked across the globe, from France to the UK, the USA, Brazil, and China. After years of international experience, she’s now back in her hometown..

Dr. Orr is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, and the Founder & Co-Director of The Sport Ecology Group. Her research focuses on climate vulnerability and adaptation within sport organizations, with a particular emphasis on the roles athletes and sport media can play in communicating climate messages to the broader public.

In addition to her academic work, Dr. Orr has received numerous accolades, including being named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2021, Corporate Knights 30 Under 30 in Sustainability Leadership, and much more. She’s a public speaker and a fierce advocate for integrating climate action into the sports world.

Thanks for tuning in as we try to answer this question in today’s episode—

Is the world of sport ready for climate change?

Let’s get into it!

To contact Maddy, check out: https://www.sportecology.org/about-seg

Her book: Warming Up: How Climate Change is Changing Sport

—-

⁠⁠⁠Dare to Care, a trailblazing organization committed to tackling bullying in sports, is now the proud host of the Sporting Change Podcast! 

Thanks to their partnership with BRP’s⁠ ⁠⁠Ride out Intimidation⁠⁠⁠ program, Dare to Care’s Sporting Change Podcast can continue to educate and empower sport leaders around the world. 

Please click here or follow us on social media @daretocaresports if you want more information on how to get your free Dare to Care bullying prevention sessions!

Welcome back to the Sporting Change podcast and thanks for tuning in on the second episode of our miniseries, following the Undoing Masculinity Summit that took place last fall!

In today’s episode, we’re tackling a deeply important issue: the link between violence in sport and domestic violence. Many sports cultures, especially in contact sports, normalize aggression, heavy drinking, and toxic behaviors like the “bro code,” which can lead to harmful attitudes and actions both on and off the field. This culture often amplifies issues like sexual violence and domestic abuse, as behaviors tolerated in the locker room spill over into athletes’ personal lives. We’ll explore how the culture of sport can perpetuate violence, why it’s often excused, and what can be done to break the cycle.

Our guest today is joining us from the Queensland University of Technology. We are so happy to welcome Professor Michael Flood, an internationally recognized expert on men, masculinities, and violence prevention. Professor Flood has been a key voice in advancing gender equality and violence prevention, shaping policies and practices aimed at addressing harmful masculinities in sport and beyond. His extensive research has been central to understanding how toxic sports cultures contribute to domestic violence, and today, he’ll help us explore what steps can be taken to make sports safer and more inclusive for all.

Please note, some of the topics discussed in today’s episode may be triggering for some listeners. We encourage you to be in a safe space before continuing with this conversation.

—----

⁠⁠⁠Dare to Care, a trailblazing organization committed to tackling bullying in sports, is now the proud host of the Sporting Change Podcast! 

Thanks to their partnership with BRP’s⁠ ⁠⁠Ride out Intimidation⁠⁠⁠ program, Dare to Care’s Sporting Change Podcast can continue to educate and empower sport leaders around the world. 

Please click here or follow us on social media @daretocaresports if you want more information on how to get your free Dare to Care bullying prevention sessions!