Raising Our Voices: Kamloops and the Movement for Women in Sport
In Canada, we proudly celebrate athletic excellence—from Olympic medalists to hometown heroes. Cities like Kamloops, dubbed the Tournament Capital of Canada, are at the heart of that legacy, boasting top-tier facilities, championship teams, and a deep-rooted love for sport.
But let’s talk about the pink elephant on the playing field—the inconvenient truth that, even in 2025, women and girls are still not receiving equal access, recognition, or resources in sport.
This is not just a one-off issue. It is a systemic, persistent pattern that’s been quietly sidelining generations of women athletes across the country, and it’s time we started naming it—and changing it.
The Disparities Are Real—And They Start Young
Across Canada:
Only 63% of girls aged 6–18 participate in organized sport weekly, compared to 68% of boys.
62% of Canadian girls are not involved in sports of any kind—a staggering figure that reflects a steep and ongoing decline over the past decade.
Girls are 3x more likely than boys to drop out of sport by late adolescence.
These numbers come from recent findings by Canadian Women & Sport’s Rally Report, and they paint a sobering picture of gender disparity. But behind the stats are real stories—of girls who could not afford to play, who never saw themselves represented on the team, who did not feel safe or welcome in a locker room, or who simply gave up after being overlooked, over-coached, or underestimated.
Why This Matters (Hint: It Is Not Just About Winning Games)
When girls participate in sports, it is about much more than just physical health. Sport is a powerful tool for:
Developing confidence and leadership
Building community and social connections
Strengthening mental wellness
Teaching resilience and teamwork
Girls who stay in sports are more likely to become women who lead, whether that’s in boardrooms, classrooms, or community spaces. So when we fail to include and invest in them, we are not just failing future athletes. We are failing future leaders.
BC’s Interior Steps Up: Local Solutions with Loud Voices
Here in BC’s Interior, we are choosing to meet the moment with movement. The Kamloops Women’s Centre, along with passionate community members across the region, has launched a new initiative that goes beyond conversation—it is rooted in connection, visibility, and grassroots cheerleading.
✨ Introducing: The Women in Sport Supporter Group
Born in Kamloops and expanding across the region, this initiative is more than a fan club—it is a feminist intervention on the sidelines.
We show up.
We get loud.
We wear matching shirts, blow horns, cheer and make as much noise as possible.
As we grow our partnerships in sport, we are starting with a partnership with the Kamloops United FC and their women’s soccer, building a bold and boisterous cheer squad that celebrates every bump, block, and goal like it’s the World Cup.
As a Supporter, You Will Get:
🎟 FREE entry to all supported games
👕 A FREE team t-shirt
💬 A chance to build new friendships with like-minded women, girls, and allies
📣 An opportunity to show up for equity in action
Because it is not just about the sport—it is about the solidarity. When women and girls look into the stands and see themselves reflected back in the crowd, that is visibility. That is power.
Why Kamloops? Why Now?
As the Tournament Capital of Canada, Kamloops has both the platform and responsibility to lead this change. With state-of-the-art venues and a track record of hosting top-level tournaments, Kamloops is perfectly positioned to model what equity in sport can look like when a community comes together with intention.
But this is not just a Kamloops issue. From Penticton to Prince George's, from Salmon Arm to the Similkameen, girls and women across BC’s Interior deserve the chance to play, to compete, and to be celebrated.
Let’s Fill the Bleachers—And the Gap
We may not have all the answers yet, but we know where to start: by showing up. In the bleachers. On the sidelines. At the community tables where decisions get made. Because equity is not just a policy—it is a practice. And it starts when we decide that every girl’s game matters.
So if you are in the Interior, if you believe in women’s sport, and if you want to be part of a community that cheers with intention, we would love to have you.
📧 To join the Women in Sport Supporter Group, email Julianna at
events@interiorwomenscentre.org
Let’s bring the noise.
Let’s lift each other up.
Let’s change the game—one cheer at a time.
In Solidarity,
The Interior Women’s Centre Team
Kamloops | Merritt | Salmon Arm | Kelowna
#WomenInSport #KamloopsPride #TournamentCapitalOfCanada #EquityOnAndOffTheField #PinkElephantInTheStands #BCInteriorStrong #SupportHerGame
