Video: Relive our Webinar on Intersectionality and the Missing Voices in Sport for All

On 21 July 2026, TAFISA hosted its bi-monthly Mission 2030 webinar titled "No One on the Sidelines: Intersectionality and the Missing Voices in Sport for All." The session brought together experts, lived experiences and professionals to explore ways to ensure no one is missing in Sport for All.

The webinar was moderated by Olena Kononchuk, REACH Youth Task Force member from Ukraine. The webinar opened with an insightful impulse delivered by Hadiya Green, Member of the Sport Equity Lab. She introduced the topic of intersectionality and what it means in Sport for All, the work and mission of the Sport Equity Lab - a global network of partners building fairer, more caring systems in and through sports and the structural pathways in building fairer systems: Culture, Connection and Care. She concluded with a charge encouraging participants to "Refuse to do nothing". 

After the Impulse presentation, Shabnam Salahshoor from Kabubu and Nyasha Derera from Special Olympics Africa shared their personal experiences as professionals who have been affected by non-inclusive systems and programmes and learnings organisations can take to improve their processes and programme design. Shabnam Salahshoor encouraged organisations to ask the right questions when designing programmes for people with complex identities and that numbers should not be the priority, as it can reflect participation but not belonging, which is what organisations should aim to achieve. 

Steven Johnson from Everton in the Community presented a case study showcasing the work of Everton in the Community with persons with disabilities and other inclusive programmes they have running. He also shared the ways Everton in the Community has designed the different programmes to support their community. Kabir Hosein from Sport for Life shared the New-to-Canada Long-Term Development in Sport and Physical Activity pathway programme designed for invested partners to support new-to-Canada participants in their journey through sport and physical activity. He highlighted how, through collaboration, they have been able to work to foster social cohesion, enhance health and wellness, and establish community connection, which directly align with key immigration and resettlement outcomes – all while strengthening the sport and physical activity sectors.

The panel discussion welcomed valuable insights from Kateryna Lavryk from the Council of Europe, Maria Eduarda Marcelino from the European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH) and Bobeica Vasile from the Ministry of Education and Research, Republic of Moldova. The discussion highlighted the necessity of considering the different identities of participants when designing programmes, and data monitoring to keep track of who is still excluded and measure success beyond numbers. They also encouraged webinar attendees not to be too scared to make mistakes when designing programmes but to work with a system allowing them to talk with programme beneficiaries, ensuring they meet their needs. 

Participants had the opportunity to contribute to the webinar via Mentimeter and also ask the panellists questions.