LYNDSAY HAYHURST
“Through the power of networking, you might just find your people. Keep them close, and use these spiderwebs of sisterhood to bolster the presence of women in the sport industry.”
Meet Lyndsay, an award-winning sociologist of sport and feminist physical culture. She is a York Research Chair (Tier II) in Sport, Gender, Development and Digital Participatory Research, and is an Associate Professor in the School of Kinesiology and Health Science at York University in Toronto, Canada. She has published over 60 articles and chapters on these topics, and is a co-author (with Holly Thorpe and Megan Chawansky) of Sport, Gender and Development: Intersections, Innovations and Future Trajectories (2021).
LYNDSAY’S GOAL
“My goal is to use my own positionality, and journey, as a former varsity athlete, practitioner and academic to critically and reflexively inform my contribution(s) to the diverse ways that sport, recreation, physical activity and leisure can be powerful tools for achieving broader social justice and change.”
SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND FEMINIST JUSTICE ACTIVISM
“My journey in the sports industry is rooted in addressing the needs of equity-denied groups, such as self-identified young women (*cis and trans inclusive), and girls, parenting women and youth affected by violence and trauma, by addressing inequities. Through my work, I hope to show how sport for development may pry open new avenues for feminist justice activism and educational strategies that - for example - prevent and reduce sexual and gender-based violence.”
INSTRUMENTAL ROLE MODEL
“Dr. Wendy Frisby, who was my Master's supervisor in the School of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia, played an instrumental role in helping me to better understand how inequities and inequalities shape access for self-identified women and girls to sport, physical education, and recreational opportunities. She introduced me to feminist participatory action research, an exciting methodology that uses feminist theory and action-oriented research processes to address unequal power relations and uphold social justice, especially for marginalised communities and individuals.”
SUSTAINABILITY IN SPORT
“‘Protect Our Winters’ uses outdoor sports to advocate for environmental sustainability and raise awareness about the impacts of climate change. This initiative demonstrates "recreational activism," where individuals engaged in outdoor sports are deeply connected to their environments and are thus motivated to take action against climate degradation.
Green Kenya's "Women Up" programme uses soccer to address gender and climate injustices. This program integrates environmental education with sport, promoting sustainable practices while empowering women and girls to advocate for climate action. These initiatives demonstrate how sports can transcend traditional boundaries, fostering pro-environmental behaviours and inspiring communities to engage in sustainable practices. “
