The Sport Solution Clinic is a program of AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, in conjuction with the Faculty of Law at Western University. The Clinic offers access to free information, as well as pro bono advice and guidance on sport-related legal issues that may require counsel, such as team selection, carding and safe sport matters.
Mission
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.
In April 1996, AthletesCAN joined forces with the Sports Law Centre, the Faculty of Law at the University of Western Ontario, and the Dispute Resolution Centre to create an AthletesCAN program that would help Canada’s national team athletes resolve and prevent legal conflicts in sport. Together, they named this clinic Sport Solution. It is the only clinic of its kind in North America and is available free of charge to all members of AthletesCAN.
Sport Solution responds to the legal needs of athletes on a full range of issues and can provide information about:
- General Inquiries and Concerns
- Athlete Agreements
- NSO Procedures
- SDRCC Procedures
- Safe Sport Procedures
- How to Prepare for NSO Appeals and Arbitration at the SDRCC
- Team Selection
- AAP Funding / Carding
- Safe Sport
- Discipline
- Other Sport-Related Legal Concerns
Please feel free to contact us with any of your sport-related legal questions. If your issue is beyond the scope of the Clinic’s services, Sport Solution may refer you to legal counsel
Contact Us Early!
in the future.
Get In Touch
2024-25 Office Hours
Monday to Friday 10am-5pm Eastern Time
Spring Semester: May 8 – August 23
Fall Semester: September 4 – December 5
Winter Semester: January 13 – April 11
2024-25 Sessional Dates Where the Clinic Will Be Closed
November 4 – 8 – Fall Study Break
December 9 – 20 – Fall Term Examination Period
December 23 – January 10 – Holiday Break
February 17 – 21 – Winter Study Week
April 14 – April 28 – Winter Examination Period
Sport Solution Blog
Over the years, the Clinic has learned of many challenges, particularly legal issues, encountered by AthletesCAN members. With this understanding, the blog aims to share expertise, stories, learnings, insights and information to empower national team athletes to make informed decisions and assert their rights in legal disputes in sport.
The blog features articles on the processes undertaken by Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC) and its Abuse-Free Sport program, as well as issues surrounding carding, athlete agreements, new safe sport mandates and policies, analysis of sports legal issues and views on the broader Canadian sports environment, etc.. We welcome you to reach out if you have a topic we should cover, by emailing us at [email protected]. The blog aims to contribute to a future where athletes are skilled competitors and empowered advocates championing their own success.
THE TEAM
Amanda Fowler
Supervising Lawyer
Amanda Fowler is the award-winning Supervising Lawyer of the Sport Solution Clinic at Western’s Faculty of Law. Amanda started her sports law career when she represented a college baseball player who was drafted to a major league team. Shortly after, she began practicing sports law by representing Olympic, high-performance and amateur athletes in various sport disputes, including team non-selections, improper carding nominations, human rights and doping infractions. Amanda has successfully represented Canadian and international athletes at the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. One of her most memorable cases was being involved with the Caster Semenya appeal.
In 2017, Amanda was a pro bono lawyer for the Invictus Games in Toronto. In 2022, she was named one of Canada’s leading sports and entertainment lawyers by Who’s Who Legal for the second consecutive year, and also took home the Lexology Client Choice Award in Sports & Entertainment Law, which is recognized within both the United States and Canada and internationally.
She continues to advise professional athletes, sport organization and teams.
Anthony Crudo
Program Manager
Anthony Crudo is a third-year law student at Western University. He received a Bachelor of Applied Science at Queen’s University in Computer Engineering. During Anthony’s first year of law school, he volunteered as a Caseworker with the Sport Solution Clinic.
Prior to attending law school, Anthony 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. Anthony 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.
Anthony 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. Anthony is committed to serving Canadian athletes and upholding the Clinic’s high standard of excellence.
Devin D'Gama
Program Manager
Devin D’Gama is a second-year law student at Western University. Prior to attending law school, he earned a Bachelor of Sport Management degree at Brock University. During Devin’s first year of law school, he volunteered as a 1L Caseworker with the Sport Solution Clinic.
Devin developed a passion for advocacy throughout his undergraduate degree, where he completed various internships within the athlete agency industry. In these roles, he learned the importance of client servicing and advocating on behalf of the athlete and their best interests. He has become accustomed to the fast-paced nature of athlete representation, which is a valuable asset considering the breadth of files and range of athletes that the Sport Solution Clinic supports.
Devin is excited to combine his passions for sport and the law. Having played competitive basketball and baseball growing up, Devin understands the importance of an athlete’s physical and mental well-being and its effect on performance. He is particularly interested in working to address safe sport and governance inequities that exist in high-performance sport. As Program Manager, he is committed to representing athletes navigating these issues to ensure that they are able to perform to the best of their abilities.
Liv Hart
Program Manager
Liv Hart is a second-year law student at Western University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from James Madison University. Liv volunteered as a Caseworker with the Sport Solution Clinic during her first year of law school.
Prior to attending law school, Liv worked at a sorority national headquarters where she provided leadership development training and led the implementation of a national accreditation program for 120 collegiate chapters across the United States. With unique experiences in addressing client needs and working in time-critical environments, Liv values taking the time to understand client challenges and identify strategic solutions.
As a former competitive figure skater, Liv is passionate toward advocating for safe and equitable sporting environments for all athletes. Liv is excited to continue her work with the Sport Solution Clinic as a Program Manager and furthering the Clinic’s mission of supporting an athlete-centred sport system.
Hannah Herrington
Program Manager
Hannah Herrington is a third-year law student at Western University, after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Society and Policy from the University of Utah. Hannah 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.
Hannah’s 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, Hannah 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.
Dylan Romero-Marshall
Program Manager
Dylan Romero-Marshall is a third-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, Dylan 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, Dylan 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, Dylan 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.
Joe Van Der Woerd
Program Manager
Joe van der Woerd is a second-year law student at Western University. During his first-year at Western Law, Joe was involved in sport law through participating in, and winning the Hockey Arbitration Moot. He earned a BA in Sport Management from Calvin University, where he focused his research on social issues in sport. Prior to attending law school, Joe gained experience in the sports industry as the operations manager at Howies Hockey Tape.
During his undergraduate studies, Joe competed for the club men’s volleyball team at Calvin University. In his role with the team, he advocated on behalf of the team for increased funding and resources. This experience not only increased Joe’s passion for advocating for athletes but made him aware of the challenges athletes face to maintain their focus on pursuing athletic excellence while dealing with off-the-court issues.
Joe is excited to continue combining his passions for sports and advocacy through his work as a Program Manager for the Sport Solution Clinic. He is committed to upholding the standards of the Clinic and working towards a healthier sports landscape in Canada. He looks forward to working alongside Canadian athletes as they pursue their athletic goals.
Disclaimer
Sport Solution is a program of AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes. The Program Managers at Sport Solution are law students who can provide athletes with legal information and resources on: sport dispute resolution procedures, athlete agreements and contracts, selection and discipline procedures in sport, and related legal and policy issues.
The Sport Solution Program Managers are not lawyers, and they cannot provide legal advice or opinion. The Sport Solution respects an individual’s privacy and any personal or confidential information that is provided to the Sport Solution will be used solely to assist the athlete with their issue or concern, and will not be shared with others without the athlete’s consent.