(Ottawa, Ontario – June 27, 2019) – The True Sport Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2019 Lyle Makosky Values and Ethics in Sport Fund sport study scholarship. The awards, in the amount of $2,000 each, have been awarded to Brent Ashfield for his undergraduate project, “Changing Perceptions Towards Disability Through Inclusion in Sport” and Kyle Bezaire for his Master’s project, “Examining Authentic Leadership in Youth Sports Coaching: An Exploratory Study.”

The Lyle Makosky Values and Ethics in Sport Fund is a national endowment fund established by life-long leader in sport, Lyle Makosky. The sport study scholarship program provides annual financial awards to support the study of values and ethics-based challenges, and related policies affecting non-professional Canadian sport. The True Sport Foundation manages and selects award winners.

“We can usually see at the core of the challenges and issues facing sport today is a question of values… which values do we wish to be embodied and reflected in Canadian sport; which values choices are important to engage; which fundamental values are under threat, and so on. It is encouraging to see that the Values and Ethics Fund is helping to reveal and support the thoughtful and engaging study of such questions in Canadian sport,” said Lyle Makosky on the announcement of the 2019 awards.

“We believe that Kyle and Brent’s research will help contribute to a deeper understanding of the important role that sport can play in the lives of Canadians, as well as the impact sport can have on the community as a whole,” said Karri Dawson, Executive Director of the True Sport Foundation. “We are pleased to see that this scholarship is stimulating the thoughtful examination of values-based sport.”

Brent Ashfield is currently completing his Bachelor of Education at St. Francis Xavier University. Kyle Bezaire is completing his Masters of Human Kinetics at the University of Windsor. Both are active in the Canadian sport community.

“I would like to thank Mr. Makosky, Mr. Melia, and the True Sport Foundation for this scholarship,” said Kyle. “I am truly appreciative of their support! The funding from this scholarship will allow me to conduct innovative and leading-edge research that can be used by youth sport coaches and their athletes to promote a sport environment that values being authentic and genuine as we continue to develop leaders in sport.”

“Thank you to the True Sport Foundation and the Lyle Makosky Sport Fund for the recognition and support for this research,” expressed Brent. “We aim to evaluate the real-life impact of inclusion by evaluating the perceptions of inclusive physical activity amongst participants, to support best practice for sport in Canada.”

About the True Sport Foundation

The True Sport Foundation is a national charitable organization committed to ensuring that sport makes a positive contribution to individuals and communities. The Foundation works with its many partners through programs and activities that promote values-based and principle-driven sport for all Canadians.

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For further information, please contact:

Megan Cumming
Manager, Corporate Communications
+1 613-526-6043 x 3233
mcumming@cces.ca