The LGBTQ2SIA+ Athletic Advocacy Group aims to provide an inclusive and supportive environment and community across McMaster Athletics & Recreation through education, programs, and social events. We strive to provide educational resources for coaches, staff, athletes, students, and fans, to increase knowledge about LGBTQ2SIA+ rights and how to manage LGBTQ2SIA+ issues, particularly in sport.

Our group aims to create a supportive community not only for McMaster athletes, but all participants who engage with McMaster athletic services. This is done through a variety of social events throughout the year. We also advocate for inclusive spaces across sport including gender inclusive changing areas, inclusive language use by coaches, and tackling microaggressions that persist in sport.

At LAAG we recognize that sports and recreation spaces should be accessible to all. Research into experiences has found that over 80% of LGBTQ+ athletes have faced homophobic or transphobic harassment while participating in sport. LAAG’s goal is to ensure that everyone at McMaster feels safe and supported while representing our school and using athletic and recreational facilities.

That all folks feel welcome, included, and safe in athletic and recreation spaces at McMaster.

• Equity
• Safety
• Inclusion
• Education
• Community
• Accountability

We aim to create an inclusive and safe environment for the LGBTQ2SIA+ community in athletic and recreational spaces at McMaster. We strive to accomplish this by advocating for equity and inclusion, providing education to staff, coaches, students, and fans, and by building community through social events.

Group email: laag@mcmaster.ca

Instagram: @laagmcmaster

TikTok: @laagmcmaster

Executives:

• President: Sarah Oresnik (they/them)
• Vice President: Juliana Jack (aka JJ) (she/her)

Events Executives:

• Sarah Cushnie (she/her)
• Kileigh Harrington (she/her)
• Jacqueline Huo (she//they)

Outreach and Engagement:

• Jenine Alkhatib (she/her)
• Carolyn Huynh (she/her)

Communications and Social Media:

• Anika Gaandhi (they/he/she)

Term/nomination process

Applications for president and Vice President are sent out by the Ath and Rec department at the end of the academic term year. An election will then be sent out to all general members.

The application for all other executive positions will open follow the election of the President and Vice President later in the summer and will also be sent out by the Ath and Rec department.

All terms are held for one academic year with a maximum of a two-year term for the President and Vice President.

We recognize that not everyone is in a position where they are able to be out with their gender expression or sexuality, therefore all positions are open to both those in the community as well as allies.

Anyone who is interested in joining the team throughout the year is welcome to reach out to LAAG via Instagram or email.

The Black Student-Athlete Council will be the collective voice of all student-athletes who identify as Black. The group was formed to promote diverse initiatives within, as well as to enable student-athletes with the opportunity to be heard by the Department of Athletics & Recreation, and the university, on behalf of Black student-athletes. All student-athletes who identify as Black will automatically become members of the council for the duration of their studies at McMaster, ensuring they have a voice.

The purpose of this council is to establish a safe learning environment for BIPOC student athletes, and students at McMaster University. To foster a culture of equity and inclusion at McMaster University, to educate others on anti-racism and allyship, and to establish a platform of outreach.

To create a support system that caters to the needs of BIPOC student-athletes, students, and the minority population at McMaster university. To create a community free of discrimination that upholds a culture of acceptance and inclusivity.

The Black Student-Athlete Council operates on eight fundamental core principles:

• Equity
• Inclusion
• Respect
• Social Justice
• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Honesty
• Acceptance

Key duties and responsibilities for the Black Student-Athlete Council include, but are not limited to:

• Acting as an ambassador for Black student-athletes, and conducting oneself in accordance with the privilege of the position.
• Engaging in education and outreach to create safe spaces and support for Black student-athletes.
• Contribute to the development of departmental processes and procedures focused on:
  • Increasing representation of Black student-athletes at McMaster University.
  • Building a culture of inclusion within the Department of Athletics & Recreation, including in relation to how incidents of racism are reported and resolved.
• Working with key stakeholders across the university with a shared interest in Black students’ experiences at McMaster University, including ACFAM, the Black Student Advisor, Athlete Services Coordinator, and Black student clubs.
• Represent Black student-athletes at the Varsity Leadership Committee.

Group email: bsac@mcmaster.ca

Group Instagram: mcmaster.bsac

Haben Yohannes: President, MVB

Olivia Koffi: Vice-President, WBB

Mice Tshibangu: Communications Lead, FB

Ares Culley-Bremner: Communications Team, MBB

Jeremiah Francis: Communications Team, MBB

Maya Weekes: Communications Team, WBB

Lina Bakri: Events Lead, WRUG

Elijah Bethune: Events Lead, MBB

Vanessa Fonrose: Events Team, WRES

Karson Jimbere: Events Team, FB

Brendan Amoyaw: Outreach Lead, MBB

Daniel Ejeteh: Outreach Team, MRUG

Mikaela Blake: Outreach Team, SWM

Cole Francis: Treasurer, MVB

Term and Nomination Process

Executive members will be in place for 1 academic year beginning in September 2021. At the end of each academic year, there will be an opportunity for new students to self-nominate for participation on the executive. Executive positions should be filled by student-athletes who have demonstrated leadership in advocating for Black student-athletes. In the event the number of nominees exceeds the number of vacancies, an election will be held. In the event, vacancies exist following an open call for new executive members, current members can remain in place for another academic year, up to a maximum of 3 years.

The Indigenous Student Athlete Council is the collective voice of student athletes who identify as Indigenous. The council was founded in 2023 to build a community for Indigenous Student Athletes at McMaster, increase Indigenous representation in sport, and provide a platform for student athletes to advocate on behalf of and represent the interests of all Indigenous student athletes with administration.

The Indigenous Student Athlete Council at McMaster University is committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment for Indigenous student-athletes. We aim to celebrate Indigenous culture, build a community for Indigenous student-athletes to connect and share stories, promote academic and athletic success, and advocate for the unique needs and perspectives of our community. We strive to create opportunities for representation, while strengthening connections between Indigenous students, the broader university, and surrounding communities.

To create a support system for Indigenous student-athletes to connect and a platform to advocate for themselves and others with university leadership. Through our efforts, we aim to inspire future generations of Indigenous student-athletes and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable university environment.

The Indigenous Student Athlete Council operates on the following core principles:

• Humility
• Cultural empowerment
• Honesty
• Wisdom
• Truth
• Respect
• Acceptance
• Representation and visibility

• Act as a voice for Indigenous student-athletes, serve as a liaison between Indigenous student-athletes and university administration, ensuring open communication and collaboration
• Organize events and initiatives that celebrate Indigenous culture and histories and the accomplishments of Indigenous student-athletes
• Strengthen ties between Indigenous student-athletes, the broader McMaster community, and surrounding Indigenous communities through outreach, collaboration, and engagement
• Work to enhance the visibility of Indigenous student-athletes at McMaster by advocating for more representation in athletics
• Work with key stakeholders across the university with a shared interest in Indigenous students’ experience at McMaster including Indigenous Student Services, Truth and Reconciliation Standing Committee, Athletics & Recreation staff, Indigenous Health Learning Lodge, and Indigenous Student Clubs
• Regularly evaluate the council’s initiatives and programs to ensure they are effectively meeting the needs of Indigenous student-athletes and contributing to their overall success.

• President: Emma Robertson
• Vice-president: Olivia Beausoleil
• Communications lead: Seth Cabezas
• Engagement lead: Luken Lawson
• Group email: isac@mcmaster.ca
• Group Instagram: @mcmaster.isac

Term/nomination process: Executive members will be in place for 1 academic year beginning in September 2023. At the end of each academic year, there will be an opportunity for new students to self-nominate for participation on the executive. Executive positions should be filled by student-athletes who have demonstrated leadership in advocating for Indigenous student athletes. In the event the number of nominees exceeds the number of vacancies, an election will be held. In the event vacancies exist following an open call for new executive members, current members can remain in place for another academic year, up to a maximum of 3 years.

The Women’s Athletic Leadership Committee uses sport to empower and encourage female-identifying athlete to find their voices.

Our mission is to support female-identifying athletes in the McMaster and Hamilton community by providing resources, mentorship, and opportunities for engagement through outreach, volunteering, and events. Our goal is to increase female representation in sport and foster a culture of support and empowerment.

To create an inclusive and uplifting environment where female-identifying athletes in the McMaster and Hamilton community feel supported, connected, and empowered.

• Inclusion
• Equity
• Respect
• Collaboration
• Empowerment
• Engagement

• Key duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Planning and moderating events for female-identifying students, student-athletes and staff within the McMaster community.
• Organizing fundraisers and volunteering within the community.
• Additional members may be engaged to assist on different items and for varying lengths of time. Such as volunteer opportunities, attending events and team engagement.
• Carrying oneself as a representative of this committee, completing responsibilities in a timely manner in collaboration with other executive members.

Email: macwalc@mcmaster.ca

IG @mcmaster.walc

·       President – Amy Stinson (stinsa2@mcmaster.ca)

·       Vice President – Delaney Bourget (bourgetd@mcmaster.ca)

·       Events (3) – Madison Bossett, Samantha Slater, Nathalie Hilbert

·       Communications (2) – Jordan Denkers, Natalie Vecchio

·       Community Outreach (3) – Emma Allen, Megan Soo, Kaylee White

Term/nomination process: Members of the committee serve a term of one academic year, with the opportunity for renewal. Applications open in April/May where aspiring members will answer questions related to their desire to work with WALC. The selection of new executive members includes a review of the application to ensure alignment with our mission and values as a committee. The finalization of the executive roles will be completed by June.