2023 Edition - Tennis Canada

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In 2023, the UNMATCHED Gender Equity in Sports Conference presented by Tennis Canada and National Bank encouraged attendees to join forces to advance the gender equity in sport conversation. It generated meaningful cross-sector networking among guests and panelists about what it means to be All in for Equity.

The conference was divided into the three key segments: GAME. SET. EQUITY. GAME built a bridge between 2022 and 2023. SET segment helped establish where we are today, courtesy of change-makers across various sectors. And EQUITY saw Maria Sharapova offer a uniquely powerful perspective about how we can contribute to gender equity in sport.

Thank you to our sponsors National Bank, Aird & Berlis LLP, Cashmere, Motorola, Sherry Shannon-Vanstone and Sobeys.

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“It is about being the best version of yourself, it’s not about comparing myself to someone else, or a male player, or a match that’s three out of five sets”

-Maria Sharapova

Video Gallery

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HANNAH FLORES –

“We can all be aces.” University of Toronto student and Spoken Word Artist Hannah Flores reads a powerful and poignant poem to kick off the 2023 UNMATCHED Conference in style.

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION –

Gimaa (Chief) R. Stacey Laforme, Ula Ubani, andLucie Blanchet delivered inspiring opening remarks that set the tone for the conference.

GAME –

An Open Conversation on Leadership and Allyship in Sport with Stacey Allaster and Michael Downey, moderated by Mark Tewksbury.

Game. Set. FEUD. –

Tennis Canada’s friendly competition pitting Team Athletes against Team Game Changers.

SET –

Nouman Ashraf, Dr. Sheila Cote-Meek, Rabia Khedr, and Henoc Muamba talk about Inclusive Leadership: A Practical Call to Action for us All.

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media interviews

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2023 Speakers and Special Guests

Hazel Mae

Broadcaster, Blue Jays on Sportsnet 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Maria Sharapova (she/her)

Five-time Grand Slam champion, tennis icon, and entrepreneur. Sharapova is a winner of 35 WTA singles titles, spent 21 weeks as World No. 1 and topped of Forbes Highest Paid female list for 11 years in a row. Outside of tennis, she is an influential business leader and investor, a best-selling author and mentor to women leaders and entrepreneurs around the world.

Ula Ubani (she/her)

Chair of the Governance Committee, Tennis Canada 

Lucie Blanchet (she/her)

Executive Vice President, Personal Banking and Client Experience at National Bank 

Stacey Allaster (she/her)

Chief Executive of Professional Tennis, USTA, US Open Tournament Director, Canadian Olympic Committee Board Member, Companion of the Order of Canada 

Michael Downey (he/him)

Chief Executive Officer, Tennis Canada

Mark Tewksbury (he/him)

Vice President, Canadian Olympic Committee, Companion of the Order of Canada 

Diana Matheson

CEO of Project 8. Former Canadian Soccer player, 2x Olympic Bronze Medalist.

Cindy Ouellet

Canada wheelchair basketball #7. 3x summer and 1x winter Paralympian.

Bruny Surin

Speaker, Olympic Champion, Businessman, Investor, Business Coach.

Dr. Sheila Cote-Meek (she/her)

Incoming Professor & Director, Indigenous Educational Studies, Programs, Faculty of Education, Brock University 

Henoc Muamba (he/him)

Professional football player, Grey Cup champion. Grey Cup MVP and MVC (most valuable player and most valuable Canadian), philanthropist and motivational speaker