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Former AthletesCAN President Dasha Peregoudova : Athlete abuse testimony needs to be turned into action

RICHMOND, B.C. – A national inquiry into safe sport is not necessarily the answer to helping Canadian athletes, according to a former member of the country’s taekwondo team and ombudsperson for Canada for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Dasha Peregoudova, former AthletesCAN President and the director of sanctions and outcomes for Abuse-Free Sport, said Saturday that Canada has gone through a national reckoning of abuse in sport, adding work now needs to be done with what the public has heard.

“I have not had, myself, those experiences those athletes had … I don’t want to trivialize that,” she said of Canadian athletes who have spoken out about abuse and misconduct.

“My reservation about a national inquiry is not that it’s not a good use of time or resources, I just have some sense that it would say what we already know which is that there are rampant safe sport issues in sport and that we need to do something about it.”

Her comments to The Canadian Press came after she, lawyer Amanda Fowler and former athletes Chris de Sousa Costa and Josh Vander Vies participated in a panel discussing governance in Canadian sports held by AthletesCAN.

Speaker lineup unveiled for 2023 AthletesCAN Forum and 46th Canadian Sport Awards

TORONTO / VANCOUVER – AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, is pleased to announce its lineup of speakers for the upcoming 2023 AthletesCAN Forum and 46th Canadian Sport Awards in Vancouver.

Kicking off the first in-person AthletesCAN Forum weekend since 2019, veteran CBC Sports host Scott Russell will helm this year’s celebration of trailblazers, athlete-centred accomplishments and initiatives – as the Canadian Sport Awards take place on the evening of Friday, Sept. 8, with five notable winners recognized at the Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel in Richmond, B.C.

Saturday’s festivities will begin with a panel entitled Reshaping Governance in the Modern Era, featuring:

  • Chris de Sousa Costa – AthletesCAN Board Member, Karate
  • Amanda Fowler – Founder, Amanda Fowler Sports Law; Supervising Lawyer, Sport Solution Clinic
  • Dasha Peregoudova – Former AthletesCAN President, Taekwondo; Partner, Aird & Berlis LLP
  • Josh Vander Vies – Paralympian / Former AthletesCAN President, Boccia; Versus Law Corporation

Following the panel, Queen’s University adjunct assistant professor Shai Dubey of the Smith School of Business – the Official National Business Education partner of the Canadian Olympic Committee and a founding partner of Game Plan, Canada’s Total Athlete Wellness Program, helping athletes plan for success beyond sport – will lead an engagement session focusing on bridging the gap between athletes and National Sport Organizations entitled Personalizing Your Journey.

In addition to this distinguished lineup of speakers, the 2023 AthletesCAN Forum will also include key athlete-centred roundtables and workshops exclusively for Athlete Representatives and Directors – with the ultimate goal of strengthening alignment across the Canadian Sport System, following significant reforms announced in May aimed at improving governance, transparency and accountability. The event is made possible in part by the generous contribution of Richmond Sport Hosting.

Nominees for each of the Canadian Sport Awards will also be released over the coming days.

Following Forum, a national digital campaign in partnership with CBC Sports along with the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committees for the People’s Choice Award for Most Trending Moment of the Year will take place in December, after the conclusion of the 2023 Pan American and Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

Further details surrounding the 2023 AthletesCAN Annual General Meeting and Board Election, slated for the fall, will be announced at a later date.

About the AthletesCAN Forum

The annual AthletesCAN Forum is the largest and most inclusive gathering of Canada’s national team athlete leaders outside of competition. It brings together Canada’s high-performance athletes and sport leaders to learn about the sport system, develop leadership skills, share ideas and network through interactive workshops, seminars and presentations. 

About the Canadian Sport Awards

The Canadian Sport Awards were established in 1972 by modern day co-founders True Sport, Canadian Centre for Ethics and Sport, Canada Games Council, Commonwealth Sport Canada, and AthletesCAN to recognize and showcase excellence in Canadian sport. Since then, the CSA evolved over time to become the premier recognition event for national sporting excellence. After the 40th anniversary, the awards experienced a five-year hiatus. In 2017, AthletesCAN successfully acquired the rights to revive this staple event to once again bring together members of the sport community to honour the spirit, drive, and commitment of Canada’s international level athletes, coaches, volunteers, and sport leaders.

About AthletesCAN

AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, is the only fully independent and most inclusive athlete organization in the country and the first organization of its kind in the world.  As the voice of over 6,000 current and recently retired Canadian national team athletes, AthletesCAN membership spans 68 sports across the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan/Parapan American, and Commonwealth Games, and those currently funded by Sport Canada competing at Senior World Championships. AthletesCAN ensures an athlete-centered sport system by developing athlete leaders who influence sport policy and, as role models, inspire a strong sport culture, through educational resources, support, training and professional development.  

Follow us on social @AthletesCAN and Join #TheCollective today.

For more information, please contact:

Alan Hudes
Manager, Communications and Sport Partnerships
AthletesCAN
613-526-4025 Ext. 224
[email protected]

AthletesCAN, Western Law announce 2023-25 Sport Solution Program Managers

TORONTO / LONDON, Ont. – AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes and the Faculty of Law at Western University are pleased to announce the appointment of Anthony Crudo, Hannah Herrington and Dylan Romero-Marshall as new Program Managers with Sport Solution.

Crudo, Herrington and Romero-Marshall – who are all entering their second year at Western Law in London, Ont. – began their respective terms on May 1 and will be with the program for the next two years.

“We are excited to welcome Anthony, Hannah and Dylan to the Sport Solution team. They have already produced excellent legal work as 1L caseworkers, and we are confident they will make a positive impact in the lives of AthletesCAN members with our unique collaboration.”

Amanda Fowler - Sport Solution’s award-winning Supervising Lawyer
Adjunct professor with Western Law, who specializes in representing professional and high-performance athletes

Sport Solution was founded in 1996, when AthletesCAN joined forces with the Sports Law Centre, the Faculty of Law at Western, and the Dispute Resolution Centre to create a program that would help Canada’s national team athletes resolve and prevent legal conflicts in sport. The program is the only one of its kind in North America, and is available free for all members, providing relevant information, assistance and guidance on sport issues that may require legal counsel.

Fowler’s work in helming the Sport Solution program was recognized last fall with a pair of awards. She was named one of Canada’s leading sports and entertainment lawyers by Who’s Who Legal for the second consecutive year, and also home the Lexology Client Choice Award in Sports & Entertainment Law, which is recognized within both the United States and Canada and internationally.

With these new appointments, AthletesCAN and Western Law thank outgoing Program Managers Hannah Dobie and Rheanna Geisel, who have served Sport Solution since 2021 and will graduate from law school this spring. Samuel Gan, Safiya Nanji and Laura Wade, who were appointed last May, will enter their second year with Sport Solution, continuing in their roles until Spring 2024.

“For over 25 years, Sport Solution has helped amplify the voices of Canada’s national team athletes. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Western Law with our new slate of program managers and help ensure athletes are heard in formal sport processes such as team selection, carding, safe sport, discipline disputes and anti-doping matters.”

Erin Willson - AthletesCAN President

2023-25 SPORT SOLUTION PROGRAM MANAGERS

Sport Solution Clinic Program Manager Anthony Crudo

Anthony Crudo

Anthony Crudo is a second-year law student at Western University. He received a Bachelor of Applied Science at Queen’s University in Computer Engineering. During Crudo’s first year of law school, he volunteered as a Caseworker with the Sport Solution Clinic.

Prior to attending law school, Crudo worked at an international aerospace company and a smart technology start-up. Throughout his professional career, he gained valuable experience working to promote clients’ interests and interacting with multidisciplinary teams. Crudo has also worked with many local and international non-profit organizations through which he supported initiatives including combating youth houselessness and promoting diversity and inclusivity within STEM-related fields.

Crudo is very excited to continue his work with the Sport Solution clinic as a Program Manager. He has a passion for advocacy and focuses on using an empathetic lens in understanding the athlete’s perspective when approaching any case. Crudo is committed to serving Canadian athletes and upholding the Clinic’s high standard of excellence.

Sport Solution Clinic Program Manager Hannah Herrington

Hannah Herrington

Hannah Herrington is a second-year law student at Western University, after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Society and Policy from the University of Utah. She relocated to Vancouver after graduation, where she served as a key member of the provincial health authority and drove the development of innovative and strategic policies.

Her expertise in health care and human resources equips her with a unique ability to navigate complex and fast-paced environments, making her a valuable resource for clients with time-sensitive or multifaceted matters.

During her first year of law school, Herrington volunteered as a Caseworker with Sport Solution, further fueling her passion for advocating for athletes and eliminating obstacles hindering their success. With an interest in health policy, she is particularly invested in the safe sport movement and is eager to help athletes safeguard their physical and mental well-being. As she transitions into the role of Program Manager, she is excited to continue contributing to the clinic’s crucial work in empowering athletes.

Sport Solution Clinic Program Manager Dylan Romero-Marshall

Dylan Romero-Marshall

Dylan Romero Marshall is a second-year law student at Western University with a Bachelor of Arts in Justice, Political Philosophy, and Law from McMaster University. During his first year, he volunteered as a Caseworker with the Sport Solution Clinic and the Community Workshops project with Pro Bono Students Canada.

Prior to law school, Romero-Marshall was a U SPORTS varsity athlete with the McMaster Marauders men’s volleyball team for five years, helping the team capture multiple Ontario championships and national medals. Outside of sports, Romero-Marshall volunteered his time in giving back to the community through a local organization, sparking a keen interest in advocacy.

As a Program Manager at the Sport Solution Clinic, Romero-Marshall is excited to combine his passions for advocacy and sports. He is determined to maintain the clinic’s high standard of excellence in supporting Canadian athletes. His commitment to service, and passion for advocacy make him a valuable asset to the clinic and the broader legal community.

About Sport Solution

Sport Solution is committed to supporting an athlete-centred sport system and strives to achieve this objective by counselling and advocating on behalf of Canada’s high performance athletes so their voices are well represented when resolving sport related issues that affect them. 

Follow us on Instagram @sportsolutionclinic or click here

About AthletesCAN

AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, is the only fully independent and most inclusive athlete organization in the country and the first organization of its kind in the world.  As the voice of over 6,000 current and recently retired Canadian national team athletes, AthletesCAN membership spans 68 sports across the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan/Parapan American, and Commonwealth Games, and those currently funded by Sport Canada competing at Senior World Championships.

AthletesCAN ensures an athlete-centered sport system by developing athlete leaders who influence sport policy and, as role models, inspire a strong sport culture, through educational resources, support, training and professional development.  

Follow us on social @AthletesCAN and Join #TheCollective today.

For more information, please contact:

Alan Hudes
Manager, Communications and Sport Partnerships
AthletesCAN
613-526-4025 Ext. 224
[email protected]

Kaleigh Rodgers
Communications Specialist
Western Law
519-661-2111 Ext. 82126
[email protected]

AthletesCAN, Western Law celebrate Sport Solution supervisor Fowler’s legal awards honouring work with national team athletes

TORONTO / London, Ont. – AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, and the Faculty of Law at Western University, are proud to celebrate a pair of achievements by Sport Solution Supervising Lawyer Amanda Fowler.

Fowler, who oversees the unique program that assists national level athletes in cases that require legal support, was recently named one of Canada’s leading sports and entertainment lawyers by Who’s Who Legal for the second consecutive year. In addition, Fowler took home the Lexology Client Choice Award in Sports & Entertainment Law, which is recognized within both the United States and Canada and internationally.

Both awards required recognition from Fowler’s athlete clients – in the form of votes, and a formal nomination submitted to Lexology/Client Choice.

“We are thrilled for Amanda to be honoured for such meaningful work on behalf of our members. She continues to demonstrate her dedication to national team athletes and prioritizing our voice in support of an athlete-centred sport system.”

Erin Willson, AthletesCAN President

Throughout her career, Fowler has represented Olympic, high-performance and amateur athletes in various sport disputes, including team non-selections, improper carding nominations, human rights and doping infractions. Her clients have included Canadian and international athletes, with cases heard at the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Fowler has helmed the Sport Solution program since 2020.

“Western Law congratulates Amanda Fowler on being recognized for her excellent work as a sports lawyer. Our students are fortunate to have such a tremendous role model leading the work of the Sport Solution clinic, helping them to meet the legal needs of Canada’s national team athletes.”

Erika Chamberlain, Western Dean of Law

The Sport Solution program was founded in 1996, when AthletesCAN joined forces with the Sports Law Centre, the Faculty of Law at Western, and the Dispute Resolution Centre. The program is the only one of its kind in North America, and is available free for all members, providing relevant information, assistance and guidance on sport issues that may require legal counsel.

“I consider it a privilege to be a sports lawyer and represent Canada’s top athletes. “It’s incredibly meaningful to be honoured with these two awards for that work, especially when the support comes from my clients and peers. Thank you to everyone involved.”

Amanda Fowler

About Sport Solution

Sport Solution is committed to supporting an athlete-centred sport system and strives to achieve this objective by counselling and advocating on behalf of Canada’s high performance athletes so their voices are well represented when resolving sport related issues that affect them. Follow us on Instagram @sportsolutionclinic or click here

About AthletesCAN

AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, is the only fully independent and most inclusive athlete organization in the country and the first organization of its kind in the world.  As the voice of Canadian national team athletes, AthletesCAN ensures an athlete-centered sport system by developing athlete leaders who influence sport policy and, as role models, inspire a strong sport culture. Follow us on social @AthletesCAN and Join #TheCollective today.

For more information, please contact: 

Alan Hudes
Manager, Communications and Sport Partnerships
AthletesCAN
613-526-4025 Ext. 224
[email protected]

AthletesCAN, Western Law announce new incoming Program Managers to Sport Solution

AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes and the Faculty of Law at Western University are pleased to announce the appointment of Samuel Gan, Safiya Nanji and Laura Wade as incoming Program Managers with Sport Solution.

Gan, Nanji and Wade – who are all entering their second year at Western Law in London, Ont. – began their respective terms on May 2 and will be with the program for the next two years.

“We are excited to welcome Samuel, Safiya and Laura to the Sport Solution team," said Amanda Fowler, Sport Solution’s Supervising Lawyer, and an Adjunct Professor with Western Law specializing in representing professional and high-performance athletes “They have already produced excellent work, and we are confident they will make a positive impact in the lives of AthletesCAN members with our unique collaboration.”

Sport Solution was founded in 1996, when AthletesCAN joined forces with the Sports Law Centre, the Faculty of Law at Western, and the Dispute Resolution Centre to create a program that would help Canada’s national team athletes resolve and prevent legal conflicts in sport.  

The program is the only one of its kind in North America, and is available free for all members, providing relevant information, assistance and guidance on sport issues that may require legal counsel.

With these new appointments, AthletesCAN and Western Law thank outgoing Program Managers Brittany Bates, Greg Cherniak and Tyler Matthews, who have served Sport Solution since 2020 and will graduate from law school this spring. Hannah Dobie and Rheanna Geisel enter their second year with Sport Solution, continuing in their roles until Spring 2023.

“For over 25 years, Sport Solution has helped amplify the voices of Canada’s national team athletes. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Western Law with our new slate of program managers and help ensure athletes are heard in formal sport processes such as team selection, carding, safe sport, discipline disputes and anti-doping matters.”

Erin Willson - AthletesCAN President

2022-24 SPORT SOLUTION PROGRAM MANAGERS

Samuel Gan headshot

Samuel Gan is a second-year JD/MBA student at Western. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from St. Francis Xavier University before working for two years in a technology start-up. During Gan’s first year of law school, he volunteered with Project Consent for Pro Bono Students Canada, where he provided consent education to local high school students.

Gan recently completed his U SPORTS varsity athletics career with the Western Mustangs track and field team after initially competing with the St. Francis Xavier X-Men varsity football and track teams. With extensive experience in team and individual sports, Gan values the diversity of approaches to high-performance athletics and understands the challenges of balancing the pursuit of greatness in sport with the stresses of everyday responsibilities.

Gan is excited to be joining the Sport Solution Clinic as a Program Manager and eager to contribute to the important work of supporting Canadian athletes. Through his work, Gan hopes to remove obstacles and issues faced by athletes so they can focus on being the best that they can be.

Safiya Nanji headshotSafiya Nanji is a second-year law student at Western University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Tufts University and a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University, where she specialized in human rights. Her thesis focused on the exploitation and abuse pertaining to restorative justice in international conflict zones. 

 Prior to law school, Nanji interned at Parliament and Physicians for Human Rights, where she gained valuable experience instituting change at both the grassroots and macro-policy levels. These transferable skills will be particularly beneficial in serving clients’ interests and communicating with large organizations.

During her first year of law school, Nanji worked with the Sport Solution Clinic as a caseworker and thoroughly enjoyed combining her passion for advocacy and sports. She has been particularly interested in the area of safe sport and ensuring that all athletes have a safe physical and mental training environment. Nanji is excited to be taking on the role of a Program Manager and is committed to upholding the Clinic’s high standard in serving and supporting Canadian athletes.

Laura Wade headshotLaura Wade is a second-year law student at Western. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and criminology from St. Thomas University (STU). Prior to attending law school, she worked in the field of corporate law policy and operations to which she gained transferable skills in research and promoting client’s interests.

During her undergraduate degree, Wade was involved in the athletics community and administration which sparked a passion for advocating for athletes. She was further involved in the Senate Committee at STU, where she represented the student population and advocated for more regard for students’ mental health in academic affairs.

Wade is quite excited to be involved with the Sport Solution Clinic as a Program Manager. She is committed to upholding the Clinic’s standard of excellence while supporting and advocating on behalf of athletes. This opportunity to utilize her skills combined with her legal education and passion for sports will allow her to empower athletes, which she is very much looking forward to.

About Sport Solution

Sport Solution is committed to supporting an athlete-centred sport system and strives to achieve this objective by counselling and advocating on behalf of Canada’s high performance athletes so their voices are well represented when resolving sport related issues that affect them. Follow us on Instagram @sportsolutionclinic or click here

About AthletesCAN

AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, is the only fully independent and most inclusive athlete organization in the country and the first organization of its kind in the world.  As the voice of Canadian national team athletes, AthletesCAN ensures an athlete-centered sport system by developing athlete leaders who influence sport policy and, as role models, inspire a strong sport culture. Follow us on social @AthletesCAN and Join #TheCollective today.

For more information, please contact: 

Alan Hudes
Manager, Communications and Sport Partnerships
AthletesCAN
613-526-4025 Ext. 224
[email protected]

Ashley Wiseman
Communications Specialist
Western Law
519-661-2111 Ext. 82126
[email protected]