Gender Equality Week in Canada is the perfect opportunity to look back on yet another impactful edition of the UNMATCHED Gender Equity in Sports Conference presented by National Bank.
This year’s “Stronger Together” theme was representative of a new, refreshed vibe for the conference which was held in two cities, Toronto and Montreal, for the first time and staged on-site during the National Bank presented by Rogers over consecutive days.
Tennis Canada also ventured outside of tennis for the first time to find the inspiring women who are changing the game to give the 2025 keynote addresses. In Toronto, University of South Carolina Women’s Basketball Head Coach and leading gender equity advocate Dawn Staley hit a high note with attendees at Sobeys Stadium sharing how she made her mark beyond the court. Meanwhile, in Montreal, Jessica Campbell, the first woman to coach in the NHL, joined fellow hockey trailblazer Chantal Machabée on stage at IGA Stadium to talk about breaking barriers and challenging the system from within all while inspiring young girls to follow in her footsteps.
In Toronto, the event was split into three sections: Game (investing in impact), Set (community minded leadership and progressive policies) and Equity (leading beyond limits), named after Tennis Canada and National Bank’s groundbreaking women and girls’ commitment. Lisa Ferkul, Marci Ien, and Jennifer Plenert were among the panelists. Senator Farah Mohamed delivered the opening remarks, and Mark Tewksbury played the role of conference host.
In Montreal, three unique panels (how progress is redefining athletes’ futures, innovative partnerships and rising investments, plus reshaping media for women’s sports) emphasized the critical role of allies and solidarity in driving sustainable transformation in women’s sports. Names like Portia Archer, Laura Stacey, Marinette Pichon, Lucie Blanchet, and Shireen Ahmed were all part of the powerful conversations that certainly left a mark on those in attendance for this inaugural event.
Once again, UNMATCHED once again showed that by working together in a meaningful way, we can move the gender equity needle to create long-term, sustainable change so that everyone, regardless of gender and identity, can envision a bright future for themselves in sport.
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