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46th Canadian Sport Awards: Nominees unveiled, Respect Group named Presenting Sponsor for Most Trending Moment of Year Award 

December 4, 2023 

TORONTO – AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, is proud to announce that Respect Group, a headversity company, has been named the Presenting Sponsor of the 2023 People’s Choice Award for Most Trending Moment of the Year.  

A dedicated partner since 2019, Respect Group has been working for nearly 20 years to eliminate bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination by inspiring a global culture of respect. Expanding its relationship with AthletesCAN, Respect Group’s name and brand will featured across a national digital campaign running from Dec. 4-19, highlighting 10 unforgettable Team Canada moments from 2023, culminating in the winner reveal on Wednesday, Dec. 20.  

Respect Group will also continue to offer all AthletesCAN members complimentary access to its Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders training course, which will be promoted throughout the campaign.  

“When AthletesCAN came to us with the opportunity to work together on their Most Trending Moment Award, we knew right away this was a great way to inspire Canadians to live our shared values,” said Respect Group co-founder and former professional hockey player Sheldon Kennedy. “The 10 moments nominated by our sport partners are about more than just success on the field of play – some of them are tied to victories and defeats, but what makes them stand out is their power to make us laugh, cry, and stand up and cheer. Most importantly, these moments are the moments that inspire us to be better people.” 

Created in 2020, the People’s Choice Award for Most Trending Moment of the Year Presented by Respect Group, is the final honour to be bestowed as part of the 46th Canadian Sport Awards, which were recognized at the 2023 AthletesCAN Forum in Vancouver.  

The award honours a current or retired national team athlete who has captured the virtual world by storm. It highlights the magic that lives within sport to inspire and motivate all Canadians through innovative use of a digital platform, captivating athletic performance, or who’s digital actions have been a force for good.  

The year’s campaign was deferred until the conclusion of the 2023 Pan and Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, in order to have the opportunity the celebrate these moments from the entire year, including those captured on the Multisport Games stage. The 10 finalists were selected in consultation with the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees, as well as CBC Sports.  

“We appreciate the support of Respect Group for helping us elevate and amplify the amazing achievements of our national team athletes,” said CSA Committee Chair Celina Toth. “These 10 moments exemplify the best of what AthletesCAN, Respect Group, and Team Canada stand for and we’re looking forward to seeing which moment comes out on top.” 

Previous winners of the Most Trending Moment Award include Paralympian swimmer Danielle Kisser, with the creation of her do-it-yourself swimming pool that she used to train for the Tokyo 2020 Games; the Canadian women’s soccer team’s Olympic gold medal, and the medal performances of the 3×3 men’s and women’s basketball and wheelchair basketball teams at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.  

Voting for this year’s competition is now open until 11:59 p.m. PT on Saturday, Dec. 16.  

About Respect Group 

 Respect Group, a headversity company, was incorporated in 2004 by co-founders, Sheldon Kennedy and Wayne McNeil, to pursue their common passion: the prevention of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination (BAHD). As Canada’s leading online provider of prevention education related to BAHD, Respect Group has certified over 2.3 Million people involved in sport, schools and the workplace. Respect Group is a Certified B Corporation (bcorporation.net) 

About the Canadian Sport Awards  

 The Canadian Sport Awards were established in 1972 by modern day co-founders True Sport, Canadian Centre for Ethics and Sport, Canada Games Council, Commonwealth Sport Canada, and AthletesCAN to recognize and showcase excellence in Canadian sport. Since then, the CSA evolved over time to become the premier recognition event for national sporting excellence. After the 40th anniversary, the awards experienced a five-year hiatus. In 2017, AthletesCAN successfully acquired the rights to revive this staple event to once again bring together members of the sport community to honour the spirit, drive, and commitment of Canada’s international level athletes, coaches, volunteers, and sport leaders. 

About AthletesCAN 

AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, is the only fully independent and most inclusive athlete organization in the country and the first organization of its kind in the world.  As the voice of over 6,000 current and recently retired Canadian national team athletes, AthletesCAN membership spans 68 sports across the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan/Parapan American, and Commonwealth Games, and those currently funded by Sport Canada competing at Senior World Championships. AthletesCAN ensures an athlete-centered sport system by developing athlete leaders who influence sport policy and, as role models, inspire a strong sport culture, through educational resources, support, training and professional development.   

Follow us on social @AthletesCAN and Join #TheCollective today. 

For more information, please contact: 

Alan Hudes 
Manager, Communications & Sport Partnerships 
AthletesCAN 
613-526-4025 Ext. 224 
ahudes@athletescan.ca  

Empowering Voices: A Focus on Men’s Health This Movember

As the leaves change and the air cools, November (clevery branded ‘Movember’) emerges as a powerful reminder to bring men’s health into the limelight. Dating back to the early 2000s, Movember started with a few supportive men growing moustaches in support of prostate cancer. Since then, the cause has gained worldwide momentum and raised more than $900 million USD and funded over 1200 men’s health projects globally. Today, men grow moustaches in solidarity and contribute to the climbing fundraising tally with the goal of reducing stigma for a variety of men’s health issues.  It is a time to address the full spectrum of men’s health, including physical wellbeing, mental fortitude, and the role of a respectful and supportive culture in fostering holistic health.  

Understanding the silent struggle of men 

Traditional views of masculinity often dictate that men should ‘tough it out’ when facing adversity. This ‘grin and bear it’ mentality has discouraged men from discussing their physical and mental health challenges openly. These traditional gender roles view disclosure of issues or symptoms as a weakness, therefore opening up about feelings or talking about ailments is not seen to be socially tolerated. Clearly, this approach is flawed, as bottling up emotions typically exacerbates problems rather than resolving them. Acknowledging the interconnectedness of mind and body is central to a holistic approach to health; one’s overall wellbeing is compromised when either aspect is neglected. 

This reluctance to speak out was demonstrated in a 2020 study, which found that men often avoid labeling themselves as ‘bullied’ in the workplace due to fears of seeming weak. This stigma can significantly impact mental health, as we are at increased risk when we feel threatened by ongoing negative behavior and are unable to address it. Suffering in silence for men is not isolated to mental health. Other issues that impact men, such as heart disease, diabetes, and prostate and testicular cancers also require men being vocal about their symptoms to address the issues before they become serious health concerns Evidence underscores the value of early detection and candid dialogue about health symptoms, leading to improved outcomes. For example, the American Heart Association in 2021 underscored the lifesaving power of community awareness in identifying the early warning signs of heart conditions, one of the top causes of death among men. 

By cultivating an environment that not only allows but celebrates the act of reaching out and offering mutual support, we can gradually dismantle these harmful stigmas. It’s about ensuring that no individual has to endure challenges in isolation, whether they’re grappling with emotional turmoil or navigating health changes. Movember is our collective opportunity to reinforce that no man should navigate these waters alone. 

How to spot struggles in our male colleagues 

By hiding what’s going on physically or emotionally, men are at an increased risk of depression and suicide by a wide margin. Understanding that men may tend to endure their challenges quietly, it becomes crucial for us as leaders and peers to be attuned to these physical symptoms. 

Here are 5 Key Signs of Mental Health Struggles in Men: 

• Withdrawal from social activities: A sudden or gradual retreat from hobbies or social gatherings.

• Change in sleep patterns: Sleeping too much or having trouble catching shut eye.

• Increased irritability or anger: Out-of-character outbursts or a short temper can be a sign of emotional distress.

• Changes in appetite or weight: Significant weight gain or loss, or changes in eating habits.

• Decline in performance at work or school: A noticeable drop in productivity or focus can often point to struggles with mental wellbeing.

Recognizing these signs is just the first step. It’s equally important to respond with empathy and offer support, encouraging open conversations and a helping hand. 

Creating supportive environments 

Movember is not just about the changing trends in facial hair. It also shines a spotlight on topics once considered taboo, such as the vulnerability of men. This month is our opportunity to foster environments that don’t just allow, but actively promote dialogue and support for wellbeing. It’s time to break the vicious cycle of silence and ensure that no story of struggle remains untold or unheard.  

As we journey through this month, taking time to support our male colleagues and acknowledge the Movember efforts is important, not just for making light of the fun facial hair efforts they’re championing, but to spotlight the issues at large and what this time of year really signals. This can help to build psychological safety around sensitive issues and build respect into our organizational culture.   

Want to learn more about how we can help support our male colleagues in Movember? Join our Webinar – Life on the Line: Supporting Men’s Mental Health in a ‘Tough It Out’ Culture.  We will be discussing more on this topic and diving into ways we can help men avoid suffering in silence at work. We’ll equip you with the insights and tools to become a pillar of support in your workplace and community.  

Register here: https://headversity.com/webinar/supporting-mens-mental-wellbeing-2023/

Junior League Launches Anti-Bullying, Abuse, Harassment and Discrimination Initiative

CALGARY, AB, Oct. 20, 2023 /CNW/ – The United States Hockey League (USHL) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the National Hockey League and Respect Group Inc., a leading provider of interactive training courses aimed at preventing bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination.

In December of 2021, the National Hockey League announced the Respect Hockey initiative – an intentional focus on building a culture that is safe, inclusive and free from abuse, harassment and all forms of unethical behavior or misconduct.

Respect Hockey provides focus on four pillars – Prevention, Reporting, Counseling, and Accountability. The partnership is underway with programs that create a mutual understanding of culture and inclusion concepts; advance independent tools to disclose misconduct or abuse; strengthen the suite of available resources for victims or those in need; and provide executive staff learning opportunities to improve behaviors and competencies in this area.

“Psychological safety is important for all staff and players, perhaps now more than ever,” said Sheldon Kennedy, co-founder, Respect Group. “I applaud the USHL leadership for making this training a priority. Organizations and teams perform better when they feel safe and respected.“

“The USHL is proud to partner with Respect Group and expand our collective efforts to create safe, respectful and positive environments for our players and teams,” said Glenn Hefferan, President and Commissioner of the USHL. “The Respect Group’s offerings provide a foundation for enhancing the health and well-being for all members of our 16 organizations.“

Respect Group, a headversity company, was incorporated on April 5th, 2004 by co-founders, Sheldon Kennedy and Wayne McNeil, to pursue their common passion: the prevention of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination (BAHD).

For further information: media@respectgroupinc.com

Farkhunda Muhtaj, our Director of Conscience and Culture, played a crucial role in helping 300 Afghan soccer players and their families escape from the clutches of the Taliban following their takeover in August 2021. Her unwavering determination and commitment to ensuring the safety and future of these young Afghan girls were nothing short of heroic. “I knew that they couldn’t be left behind,” Farkhunda Muhtaj recalls. This extraordinary journey of survival and resilience is at the heart of a new documentary that shines a light on the Afghan youth football team’s escape, resettlement, and their triumphant participation in the Gothia Cup in Sweden.

Under the oppressive rule of the Taliban, girls were banned from going to school, women’s rights were severely restricted, and sports, once a source of inspiration, were no longer accessible to them. The team’s story, often fraught with danger and uncertainty, serves as a symbol of the resilience and unity among these young girls.

Despite the harrowing experiences they endured during their escape, the team found solace and a profound sense of unity within their ranks. Their shared experiences in the face of adversity only strengthened their bonds.

Upon reaching safety in Lisbon, Portugal, the team members experienced a surge of emotion. For them, it was a chance at a brighter future and an opportunity to continue pursuing their passion for football.

Their journey was far from over, as they set their sights on the Gothia Youth World Cup, marking the first time Afghanistan would be represented in the tournament. The preparation and training were monumental for the team, and it was a source of immense pride for them.

For the girls of Ayenda FC, sharing their story became a mission in itself. They understood the significance of shedding light on the challenges female athletes face in Afghanistan. Playing football has taken on profound meaning for these young athletes. Their incredible journey serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the enduring spirit of Afghan girls, standing up for their dreams and paving the way for a brighter future.

Are you ready to gain valuable insights and strategies that can transform your municipality’s workplace culture? We invite you to watch our recently recorded Municipality Roundtable webinar, “Overcoming Challenges and Building a Culture of Respect” a thought-provoking discussion designed exclusively for leaders in HR and administration within Canadian municipalities.

Event Recap:

In this engaging and insightful webinar, our expert-led panel discussed the critical topics of respect, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within municipal workplaces. Our panelists included Marjorie Munroe, Human Resources Lead at the City of Calgary, and Michelle Phaneuf, Partner at Workplace Fairness International, with the event hosted by Brad Blaisdell, VP of Workplace Solutions and Compliance at Respect Group.

Key Highlights:

Elevating Mental Health Initiatives: Discover innovative ways to prioritize mental well-being, reduce stigma, and create an environment where employees can thrive personally and professionally.

Driving EDI Transformation: Learn how municipalities are driving practices around equity, diversity, and inclusion that foster organizational growth, enhance community relations, and attract top talent.

Navigating Challenges: Gain strategies for overcoming common hurdles faced by municipalities, from limited resources to resistance to change, and turn them into opportunities for positive transformation.

Who Should Watch:

• Senior municipality leaders
• HR professionals working in municipalities

By watching this municipality webinar, you’ll be equipped with actionable insights and real-world experiences that can help your municipality foster a culture of respect and inclusivity, drive EDI initiatives, and overcome workplace challenges.

Join us in taking a step toward building a thriving, respectful, and inclusive workplace environment. Watch the recorded webinar now and be part of the positive change in your municipality.

Your journey to a more respectful and inclusive municipal workplace culture starts here. Don’t miss out! For immediate guidance on implementing our Respect in the Workplace program and fostering a culture of respect and inclusion, connect with one of our dedicated representatives by clicking here.

Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre Names Centre of Excellence After Sheldon Kennedy

Sept 15, 2023, 3:30 ET

RED DEER, ALBERTA – SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 – On September 15th, Sheldon Kennedy, former NHL player and CEO of Respect Group, joined with the board and staff of the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC) and other dignitaries to announce the new Sheldon Kennedy Centre of Excellence in Red Deer, Alberta.

In addition to being the cornerstone of our work at Respect Group, co-founder Sheldon Kennedy has forever been a strong and passionate advocate for youth. His vision has always been to support ALL youth Child Advocacy Centres locally, nationally and beyond. With strong data, teaching and integrated learning opportunities, this one-of-a-kind Child Advocacy Centre will continue to teach and lead the way in building capacity in our communities.

“This honor bestowed to me strongly supports my vision to help ALL youth Child Advocacy Centres not only in Alberta, but throughout Canada and beyond. I am so proud to be part of this journey with the Centre of Excellence and feel incredibly honored that this one-of-a-kind facility will bear my name”, says Kennedy.

“Among those who were instrumental in creating the Centre of Excellence, none stand out more than Sheldon Kennedy,” said Mark Jones, CEO of the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre. “His vision for what Central Alberta – and indeed all of Canada – needs is exactly what we have built the Centre of Excellence on. Without Sheldon’s bravery and vision, the Centre of Excellence would not be what it is.”

The new Sheldon Kennedy Centre of Excellence sits on the main campus of Red Deer Polytechnic in Red Deer, Alberta, and is slated to open in late October. The strategic placement of the structure allows for all the partners within the building to work in a fully integrated way to serve their respective clients. It also allows for research and integrated learning opportunities for students and faculty at Red Deer Polytechnic. Other Partners in the Centre include the CACAC, the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre, RCMP Child Forensic Interviewers, and Alberta Health Services: Red Deer Child and Youth Addiction and Mental Health Outpatient Clinic; Move your Mood Studio; and the Step Up Step Down live-in youth mental health program.

About Respect Group:

Respect Group, a headversity company, was incorporated in 2004 by co-founders, Sheldon Kennedy and Wayne McNeil, to pursue their common passion: the prevention of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination (BAHD). As Canada’s leading online provider of prevention education related to BAHD, Respect Group has certified over 2.2 Million people involved in sport, schools and the workplace. Respect Group is a Certified B Corporation (bcorporation.net).

Welcome to the new school year, a time filled with excitement as students reunite with friends, teachers, and their school community. In this video, Farkhunda Muhtaj discusses the significance of this time as the opportunity to foster a safe, welcoming, and supportive learning environment that can leave a lasting positive impact on students.

As school leaders, educators, parents, and students, we all possess the power to influence the culture within our educational institutions. Together, we can help create an environment where bullying, harassment, and discrimination (BAHD) have no place, and where interventions are made when necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of all.

The month of June is dedicated to refugees. In this inspiring video, Farkhunda Muhtaj emphasizes the significance of welcoming and appreciating refugees, highlighting the wealth of knowledge, skills, and expertise they bring. By providing them with respect and opportunities, we can empower refugees to thrive and make a positive impact in our workplaces, communities, and in sports environments.

The company will offer employers comprehensive solutions that combine mental health and resilience upskilling with interactive certification courses.

April 11, 2023 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

CALGARY, Alberta-headversity, a leading provider of preventative mental health training technology for employers, today announced it has acquired Respect Group Incorporated (Respect), which offers interactive training courses aimed at preventing bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination (BAHD). The two organizations will provide comprehensive tools and training needed to create psychologically safe work environments and ultimately establish a more resilient, inclusive workforce.

Respect joins headversity as a market leader in building an inclusive, safe and respectful work culture, offering online certification training solutions that have upskilled more than 2.1 million leaders across North America. By adding Respect’s solutions to headversity’s preventative assistance platform (PRE.A.P.), the combined brand will provide employers with a comprehensive solution that blends mental health and resilience upskilling with interactive certification courses – empowering them to build and maintain cultures of mental wellbeing and respect.

“We founded Respect almost 20 years ago to eliminate BAHD by inspiring a global culture of respect,” said Sheldon Kennedy, co-founder of Respect and former NHL hockey player. “We are proud of the company we have built and the customers we have served, and look forward to this next chapter in our story with headversity.”

According to an AllVoices survey, 44% of employees have experienced harassment at work, which has a direct impact on their mental wellbeing. Mental health issues not only take a toll on the employee, but their employer: the World Health Organization estimates that anxiety and depression cost the global economy $1 trillion each year in lost productivity.

headversity’s PRE.A.P. tackles this problem head on. The platform offers micro-training experiences and daily practices that can be utilized at work with colleagues or at home with family. The training focuses on preventing employees from reaching the stage of crisis and has been proven to be effective when used as little as five minutes per week. headversity has impacted the lives of more than three million employees across organizations of all sizes, including the Denver Broncos, Shell, the Detroit Pistons and London Drugs. This customer base will expand with Respect’s network, which includes various organizations such as the NHL and Hockey Canada.

“Poor mental health is plaguing our workforce – creating problems for our people that in turn create problems for the businesses they work for,” said Dr. Ryan Todd, CEO of headversity. “Respect and headversity share an aligned mission and culture, and we are thrilled to come together to accelerate the path toward a more resilient and inclusive workforce.”

“On behalf of the full Respect team, we’re excited to bring the power of our collective offering to even more people to create more impact and culture change,” said Wayne McNeil, co-founder of Respect. “Sheldon and I look forward to joining headversity to help more organizations create psychologically safe, resilient and respectful environments.”

To learn more, visit https://headversity.com/.

About headversity

With a focus on prevention, headversity offers skill-based training to help workforces improve their mental wellbeing by addressing three persistent challenges: mental health, workplace safety and operational excellence. With an industry re-defining preventative assistance platform (PRE.A.P.) that provides proactive and digital mental health upskilling experiences for the entire workforce, we have helped more than 1 million employees around the world upskill resilience and get ahead of adversity.

About Respect Group

Respect Group was incorporated in 2004 by co-founders, Sheldon Kennedy and Wayne McNeil, to pursue their common passion: the prevention of bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination (BAHD). Respect Group is made up of a team of over 30 talented individuals whose passion is to create a global culture of Respect. As Canada’s leading on-line provider of prevention education related to BAHD, Respect Group has certified over 2.1 million people involved in sport, schools and the workplace.

Contacts
V2 Communications on behalf of headversity
headversity@v2comms.com

As a B Corp certified company, we are proud to participate in B Corp Month and share our story with you.

First, let’s start with the basics. What is a B Corp? B Corp, short for Benefit Corporation, is a type of certification given to companies that meet certain social and environmental standards. These standards are measured by the B Impact Assessment, which evaluates a company’s impact on its employees, customers, community, and environment. In order to become certified, a company must score at least 80 out of 200 points on the assessment.

Our journey to becoming a B Corp started with a desire to do better. We recognized that we had a responsibility to use our platform and resources to make a positive impact on the world. We also wanted to ensure that our business practices aligned with our values.

Becoming a B Corp was a natural next step for us. The certification process helped us to identify areas where we could improve even further, and it gave us a framework for measuring our progress over time. We’re proud to say that we scored well above the minimum requirement on the assessment especially in the area of employee wellness, and we continue to strive for improvement every day.

As part of our commitment to creating a positive impact, we are proud to give back +5% of our annual revenue to youth serving organizations across Canada. We are also especially proud to be a funding partner of the Jumpstart Inclusive playground located in Calgary, which helps ensure that children of all abilities have a safe and enjoyable place to play. We believe that supporting our community is essential to our mission, and we’re honored to work with so many amazing organizations that share our values. Through our partnerships, such as the Respect Group scholarships and local initiatives that promote equity, diversity and inclusion, we are able to have a meaningful impact on the lives of those around us.

We’re proud to be a B Corp since 2018, and we hope that our story inspires others to join us in the movement towards a more sustainable and equitable future.