Sport with Social Purpose (with Commonwealth Sport Canada)

Ryan Pelley currently leads Commonwealth Sport Canada’s SportWORKS Program, which integrates sport development and sport for development programming to promote individual and community social development, and build national sport system capacity, throughout the Commonwealth. He  grew up in a small community on the northwest coast of British Columbia. The town of Kitimat is on the traditional territory of the Haisla Nation. Like many rural living youth, he played all the sports that were available to him. He feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate and understands that this is not the case for all youth in Canada, especially nowadays. Sport played a role in shaping who he is and what he does through the values he gained. Working in sport and sport for development over the past 12 years has provided Ryan the opportunity to live and work in some of the world’s most unique locations, including as a Canadian SportWORKS Officer on the remote island of Saint Helena. Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) Founded as a legacy of the inaugural Commonwealth Games in 1930, CSC is a founding member of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and is responsible for the growth and development of the Commonwealth sport movement in Canada. CSC is a registered non-profit, private charity, comprised of 40 Members (16 individuals and 24 national sport organizations), governed by an elected Board of Directors, and supported by a small cadre of staff. Their vision is Commonwealth sport inspires and unites Canadians by championing excellence, inclusion and human rights.  SPORT WITH A SOCIAL PURPOSE Commonwealth Sport is “Sport with a Social Purpose”: First International Games to achieve Gender Equality, with more medaling events for women than men. First, and only, international Games to have a Reconciliation Action Plan, respecting and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and leave a lasting and meaningful legacy through employment and training, procurement, and showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultures. First, and only, international Games to integrate a Para-Sport program as full medal status. First International Major Games franchise holder to embed Human Rights across all operations and programs. Commonwealth Sport Canada: https://commonwealthsport.ca/ SportWORKS: https://commonwealthsport.ca/sportworks/sportworks-home.html --- Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the sport industry into the conversation! Send us an email at [email protected] Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SportsSocImpact Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/