At SportNL, we understand the importance of quality programs, services, and training so our members and sports communities can thrive.
That’s why we are so proud to host an event that pushes progress and collaboration in sport:
This event brings together like-minded sports individuals and organizations, all with a shared goal to further sports education, discuss hot topics, and gain expert advice from professionals from across the country.
Registration for the Summit is $80.00 per person. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register early but registration will remain open until we reach capacity. Fees must be paid in advance prior to the conference.
Registrants can also earn professional development credit through the Coaching Association of Canada (NCCP# required).
Join us for our 4th annual SportNL Summit to bring our members an extensive series of workshops hosted in St. John’s and welcome to all!
The Summit will focus on the theme “Across Every Shore: Building Inclusive Sport in Newfoundland and Labrador”. Workshops will focus on supporting leaders who are an instrumental part of the Canadian sport landscape, equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to foster environments that embrace inclusivity and strengthen their organization’s capacity to meet evolving needs. This is an in-person event.
Join us from November 14- 15, 2025!
Connect with the sports community over good food, engaging conversation,
and enjoy our selection of skilled speakers.
Friday, November 14th, 5:45pm -8:30pm (Majestic Threatre)
Join our Meet and Greet for a movie screening, food and great conversation.
Saturday, November 15th, 8:45am–5:15pm (Delta Hotel)
Join our Summit Workshop series, which will focus on equipping sport leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to better manage the complexities of building a inclusive sport environment.
The SportNL Annual General Meeting will be prior to the Summit workshops beginning at 8:30 am.
The SportNL Summit will have a dedicated, enthusiastic, and talented selection of speakers to engage and educate all!
Their skills range from mediation to cultural transformation and much more in between.
Keynote Session
Shauna graduated from Brock University and then went on to pursue post-graduate studies: first attaining a Sport Business Management Graduate Certificate from Durham College, then moving on to complete a Master of Science and Sports Management from West Virginia University.
Currently the President and CEO of Inclusion in Canadian Sports Network (ICSN). Being a sports leader is all about empowering and supporting others. Bookal provides expertise and advice to internal and external communities regarding Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion related matters within the Canadian amateur sports industry. She also advocates removing barriers for BIPOCs at all levels within the sports system.
In September 2024, ICSN launched the Play Fair – An Anti-Racism in Sports Toolkit. The Play Fair: Anti-Racism in Sport Toolkit is a free online resource created by diverse individuals working at all levels of sport across Canada. The toolkit provides education, resources and guidance about fostering diversity and inclusion in Canadian amateur sports. The goal is to empower the sports community to take action to combat racism and discrimination and create safe, fun, inclusive spaces for sport and play. The toolkit covers a range of topics including racism, Indigenous inclusion and reconciliation, and 2SLGBTQIA+ and Trans inclusion.
In October 2024, Bookal was named Senior Research Advisor to the Commissioner of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission and the Co-Chair for the Sport, Physical Activity, Health & Wellness Program Advisory Body (PAB) for the FIFA World Cup 2026 (FWC26) Toronto.
Shauna was one of 10 Canadians selected to sit on the Federal Ministerial Advisory Committee on Sport from November 2022 to April 2023. The purpose of this Advisory Committee is to advise the Minister of Sport on a variety of sport-related topics including safe sport, governance and funding approaches. Through hard work and dedication to EDI in Sport, especially at the amateur sport level, Shauna developed, implemented and executed the first ever Diversity in Sports Conference with a focus on amateur sport in June 2023.
Keynote Session
Bullying has no place in sport- but too often, it goes unrecognized, unaddressed, or silenced. This keynote will provide sport leaders, coaches, and volunteers with the tools to create safer, more inclusive team environments. Together, we’ll explore what bullying really is and the different forms it can take, build a common language to recognize and discuss it, and break down the culture of silence that allows harmful behaviours to persist. Participants will gain practical strategies and confidence to respond effectively to bullying situations, while also learning how to equip their athletes, staff, and community members with the skills to take action. This session will challenge us to move beyond awareness and toward action, so that every participant in sport feels safe, supported, and respected.
Keynote Session
With over 20 years of experience in the sport industry —Brad has spent 14 years with Hockey Nova Scotia as Technical Director, four with Hockey Canada, and two with the 2011 Canada Winter Games Host Society. As a member of Hockey Nova Scotia’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Brad is actively working on initiatives to make hockey more inclusive across the province.
Keynote Session
Dean Smith has been a lawyer with the Federal Department of Justice since 2002. In 2022, he was awarded the Tom Miller Human Rights Award for his dedication to diversifying hockey in Nova Scotia, and in 2023 he was awarded the NHL’s Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award. In 2023, Dean was appointed King’s Counsel, which is a designation bestowed annually to members of the legal profession to recognize exceptional merit and outstanding contributions to the legal community. In his spare time, Dean serves on Hockey Nova Scotia’s Board of Directors as Chair of Diversity and Inclusion, and Vice President of the non-profit Black Ice Hockey and Sports Hall of Fame Society. Dean completed the NCCP High Performance Coaching Clinic training in 2023 and volunteers as a coach with the Black Youth Ice Hockey Program, the BIPOC Advancing Hockey Program, and Chebucto Minor Hockey Association in Halifax.
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Raised in Labrador City, Isabelle learned early how sport, physical activity and outdoor recreation can connect and unite a community – these experiences have inspired and guided her work as a coach, volunteer and professional. Today, she is the Executive Director of Programs and Partnerships at the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC). With over 25 years in national sport leadership with Skate Canada and CAC, Isabelle has championed coach education and sport leader development, mentorship, and safe, inclusive sport. A strategic thought leader, she values building meaningful partnerships to advance positive social change through sport, in Canadian society.
Greg Henhawk, a Mohawk of the Bear Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation, brings over 32 years of experience in education and coaching. As a founding board member of the Coaches Association of Ontario and a Master Learning Facilitator for Indigenous coaching modules, Greg is committed to fostering dialogue and understanding across diverse communities. His work emphasizes the critical intersections of sport, recreation, and Indigenous cultural practices within the reconciliation framework.
Jenny Lim is a Program Manager at Canadian Women & Sport, where she has helped shape core initiatives including the Gender Equity LENS e-module, Gender Equity Playbook, Same Game, and Gender Equity in Coaching. She now leads the design and delivery of customized gender equity solutions for sport and community organizations at all levels of the sport system. Canadian Women & Sport is a national non-profit dedicated to advancing gender equity and empowering girls and women in and through sport.
Valentina Nolan (White) is a Strong Mi’kmaq woman from Flat Bay who grew up in a time when people looked down on you for identifying as Mi’kmaq (Mic Mac at the time). Surrounded by a community of family and relations she never let people’s bias determine her path. While organized sport was not an option Valentina continued her leadership in other avenues never afraid to speak up when things mattered in the communities, she served many volunteer roles. Her voice became stronger especially when surrounded by other strong indigenous women leaders who were facing the same challenges at the tables they sat. A round table discussion in Winnipeg with other indigenous women being the only representative from the Atlantic region in 2008 discussing the sport system or lack of one for women and girls. A kickoff from that meeting lead to the You GO Girl! community program created and implemented by Valentina in her time as Regional Coordinator with the ASRCNL in 2008. (A Best practise program and studied by MUN). Career paths changed with new experiences but many of the same barriers as she pressed on. In 2022 Valentina had the privilege of attending the Global Summit on Women and Sport (IWG) located in Auckland, New Zealand. We are still talking the same talk with not much action and respect for women especially indigenous women. Valentina is now the Executive Director for the ASRCNL. She considers herself a Change Maker as she has put those steps in motion to catapulted into a time of action.
Dana Morris is a proud Mi’kmaq wife and mother, she was born, raised and resides in the close-knit Indigenous community of St. George’s on Newfoundland’s beautiful west coast. With a strong desire to create welcoming and inclusive spaces, Dana has become a passionate advocate for women and girl-only programming. In her role as the Indigenous Women and Sport Facilitator and Manager of the You GO…Girl! community program with the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle NL, she works to ensure Indigenous women and girls feel supported and inspired to explore physical activity on their own terms.With the hopes to make a difference, Dana encourages Indigenous women and girls to find joy, confidence, and strength through movement so they will ultimately be active for life!
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