Launching the Canadian Community Sport Integrity Commission: A Reflectio

​This summer marked the official launch of the Canadian Community Sport Integrity Commission (CCSIC), an initiative born out of necessity and urgency. As we began working with our first partnering league, the Ontario Summer Football League (OSFL)—the largest Youth Football Summer League in North America—it became evident that the issues plaguing youth sports run deep, from behavioral misconduct to the challenges faced by league executives in handling them.

1. The Time and Human Power Behind the Scenes

What has stood out most since our launch is the sheer amount of time and human resources required to do things well. Establishing CCSIC was no small feat. Our goal was to ensure fairness, transparency, and integrity in every disciplinary decision. From building a team of skilled professionals to reviewing incidents, the demands have been constant and immense. Each case requires careful attention, from understanding the root of the problem to finding solutions that promote long-term change, not just quick fixes. The amount of labor involved in handling these situations and responding to reports from coaches, parents, and officials has been humbling.

2. League Executives Are Overwhelmed

A critical realization through this process was that presidents and executives of youth sports leagues, especially large ones, are simply not equipped to deal with these issues alone. Running a league is demanding enough, and adding the responsibility of maintaining proper behaviour among thousands of participants, volunteers, and fans is nearly impossible without dedicated support. This summer has made it clear that an external, impartial body like CCSIC is essential to ensuring that behavioural issues are handled appropriately. By stepping in, we’ve allowed these leaders to focus on running their leagues while we work to uphold standards of conduct.

3. Why Integrity in Youth Sports Is More Important Than Ever

Now, more than ever, we believe that addressing behaviour in youth sports is critical to the health and cohesion of our communities. The intersection of amateur sports and societal norms has significant consequences for our youth. When young athletes, coaches, and parents respect each other, the referees, and the game, we build more than better sports players—we build better citizens. CCSIC has only just begun, but the positive changes we’ve seen reinforce our belief in the importance of this work. We’ve witnessed the impact that holding individuals accountable can have on team dynamics and the broader sporting environment.
​
Moving forward, we’re committed to pushing for continued focus and support in this area. If the progress made this summer is any indication, a sustained effort to restore and maintain integrity in youth sports can result in lasting, positive change.
This is just the beginning for CCSIC, and we’re proud to lead the charge in setting a higher standard for youth sports across Canada.