Reports of abuse in sports continue to emerge in the news alongside increasing calls from athletes for systemic change. Recent research and news stories highlight the continued and widespread prevalence of maltreatment across the sports system. The problem has been explored over the past several decades by athletes, researchers, and coaches among others with many recommendations for improvements being made. Despite positive strides, the problem persists.

Building on the existing body of work, the following research explores the persistence of maltreatment and inequity in Canadian sports. Asking the question how might we reconsider power to build a safer, more equitable sports system, I examine the structures and influences that contribute to the problem. I examine public cases of abuse and first-hand perspectives to identify the relationships and primary sources of power shaping stakeholder behaviours. These insights are used to uncover opportunities to rethink the current power distribution and identify influential leverage points for change. It concludes by exploring an ideal future and providing strategic recommendations to move towards it.