UNMATCHED host
Anastasia Bucsis
ARCHITECTS OF THE NEXT ERA OF CANADIAN SPORT EQUITY
Canada is halfway to its 2035 gender equity commitment. Progress is visible. The question is whether we're moving fast enough.
The next phase will not be defined by awareness. It will be defined by what gets built next and who builds it.
The fifth edition of the UNMATCHED: Gender Equity in Sports Conference presented by National Bank on August 11 at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto will bring leaders across sport, business, government and community for an interactive experience focused on where progress stands and what it will take to move forward.
The Program
A participant-driven experience designed to spark connection, inspire collaboration and accelerate action toward a more equitable future in sport.
CBC Sports Broadcaster Anastasia Bucsis will host the conference. The former long-track speed skater represented the Maple Leaf at two Olympic Games (Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014) and is a leading advocate for gender equity in sport in Canada.
UNMATCHED host
Anastasia Bucsis
What’s changed and what hasn’t
Reality check
Equity in sport has made real progress since 2018, but it’s been uneven.
It’s more visible and embedded in policy and strategy, yet the reality on the ground remains complex. Many organizations have made commitments. Fewer have followed through.
This session examines what’s changed and what hasn’t. Where are we making progress, and where are we falling short?
How are we measuring equity, and what are we not seeing?
Leadership remains a defining factor. Who is in the room continues to shape decisions and outcomes.
If we’re serious about 2035, the next phase isn’t about new commitments. It’s about follow-through.
Through a panel and live spectrum activity, participants bring to light the range of perspectives and progress across the room.
What We’re Not Seeing
Spotlight on women's health in sports
Women’s health is one of the most overlooked structural gaps in sport systems. From training models built around male physiology to persistent gaps in sport science research, current approaches continue to fall short in addressing the realities of female athletes.
This session examines what’s still missing. How are we accounting for female physiology in performance and recovery? What do we know (and not know) about athlete well-being across the lifecycle?
These gaps are not marginal. They shape performance, longevity and equity.
Through an athlete story and expert panel, this session brings these realities to the forefront and opens a conversation on what must change.
What's Working
Solutions Sessions
New models are taking shape across the sport ecosystem.
Community organizations are stepping in where traditional structures fall short, building pathways, creating access and sustaining participation.
At the same time, efforts to strengthen pipelines for women in coaching, officiating, technical leadership and executive roles are beginning to shift who leads and how sport is shaped. Athletes are also driving change, using their voices to influence culture, build community and redefine what leadership looks like in sport.
This session highlights what’s working in practice; the models that are creating real impact and what makes them sustainable and scalable. Through case-based conversations and audience reflection, participants explore how these approaches can be adapted, expanded and applied across contexts.
Closing Piece
Ending on a high with Coach Carey
How leadership and accountability need to evolve to support equity in sports. What will it take to translate momentum into impact across the system.
Equity Lab Spotlights
(Throughout the Day)
Short, high-impact moments featuring next-generation leaders already advancing equity in sport.
These spotlights bring forward real initiatives and new perspectives directly into the program — creating space for emerging leaders to contribute to the conversation in real time.
Tickets
Choose Your Experience
The event is designed for movement, connection, and shared conversation. Guests will engage across the space through networking and facilitated table discussions.
Lounge Single Ticket - $325
A flexible, social experience designed for connection and movement throughout the day.
- Seating at high-top bar/lounge tables
- Participation in curated networking and breakout conversations
- Seating provided during structured discussion segments
- Access a preferred-rate code for the evening quarter-final match at the NBO to witness world-class tennis.
Reserved Table (8 Guests) - $2,600
A dedicated home base for your group to gather, and connect throughout the day.
- Ideal for teams, partners, or invited guests
- The table will feature the name of your organization
- Table located in the front section of the room
- Full participation in all networking and facilitated discussion experiences
- Exclusive discount on Game Point: Full NBO Experience add-on
Add-On Game Point: Full NBO Experience
Extend the day into an unforgettable evening at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers with a premium team experience.
- Level 100 Centre Court seating with exceptional views of world-class tennis
- Access to the exclusive VIP Lounge driven by Mercedes-Benz
- A meal included at the Marché Restaurant
- Unlimited non-alcoholic beverages
Accessibility & Participation:
We are committed to making UNMATCHED as accessible as possible. For questions about participation options, please contact us at unmatched@tenniscanada.com.
The Equity Lab
Introducing the Equity Lab
The Equity Lab is a new addition to UNMATCHED. It creates space for the next generation of leaders who are already doing the work to advance equity in sport.
They are integrated into the program — not attending as observers, but contributing ideas, sharing initiatives, and connecting with leaders across the ecosystem.
Event Details
WHEN
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
WHERE
Sobeys Stadium
1 Shoreham Drive, suite 100
Toronto, Ontario
M3N 3A6
SCHEDULE
Doors open: 10:30 am
Program: 11 am - 4 pm
Networking Reception: 4 PM – 5 PM
*Timing subject to change
