York University Athletics & Recreation is a leader in the post-secondary athletics landscape. Hosting its annual Women and Girls Leadership and Sport conference, they showcase their continued commitment to advancing opportunities for women and girls. 

On April 26, Athletics & Recreation proudly hosted the fifth annual conference at York's Second Student Centre. This year's theme, Beyond Bodies: Navigating Gender in Sport, explored the role of gender in sport including the impact on access and inclusion, policy, and performance expectations. Close to 200 administrators, athletes, coaches, and sport-enthusiasts participated in the day-long conversation about the influence of the gender binary.

Conference highlights included a plenary with Dr. Lyndsay Hayhurst and a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Parissa Safai –– both of whom are distinguished professors in the School of Kinesiology & Health Science at York. The core conference goal of ensuring financial sustainability was achieved and revenue generated by this year's conference will be converted to one-time athletic financial awards for women varsity student athletes for the 2024-25 academic year.

Mark your calendars for next year! Planning for the 2025 conference has begun and will capitalize on the momentum and enthusiasm of the newly launched Professional Womens' Hockey League (PWHL), the upcoming Northern Super League (NSL), and the announcement of Toronto's WNBA expansion team. Join us next April for the sixth annual conference: The Professionalization of Women's Sports.