ABOUT

David Thibodeau (he/him) has a keen interest in how both sport and policy can have an affect and create a meaningful impact to make people’s lives better. David started Sports for Social Impact to explore sport policy more in-depth and provide insightful analysis to those working in the sport industry. The aim of this is to explore different areas that sport policy can have a social impact and create lasting positive change in the community and the challenges that stand in the way of change. 

 

He is an advocate for better inclusion of 2SLGBTQ+ people in sports and in gym class. Some of his advocacy work has included contributing to a Coach’s guide for Working with LGBTQ Athletes for Coach New Brunswick and presenting at Egale’s OUTShine conference in 2019 on “The strength of diversity and inclusion in school sports". David is an ambassador for You Can Play and is a member of the LGBTQI2S+ Sport Inclusion Task Force (SITF). 

David is a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) certified swim coach. He has been coaching various ages and levels of swimming since starting in 2011. David was a competitive swimmer for 10 years, and was a member of Team New Brunswick at the Canada Games in 2013. He was appointed to the Canada Games Council Board of Directors in September of 2022.

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David was selected as a Young Sport Maker for Global Sports Week 2020 in Paris and was again a selected in 2022. He is a strong believer in youth engagement and uplifting youth to reach their full potential. David was a Canadian Youth Delegate at COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh.

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David works in policy development and program administration in the Canadian federal government.

 

David holds a Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership from the University of New Brunswick and a Masters of Public Policy and Administration from Carleton University. 

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Mission statement

Sports for Social Impact (SSI) seeks to explore and educate on the power that sport has to create a positive impact on society.

 

Vision

Quality sport and recreation programs that are inclusive and accessible to all in society to benefit from.