Message from Frances Mercer – Ottawa Sport Council Executive Director:
Already 2 months into a busy 2026 and motivated with a phenomenal year ahead for sport in Ottawa. Sport is special, it has this ability to weave into our neighbourhoods, parks, schools and centres. Sport is a benefit for so many – it builds, it champions, it connects and, above-all, it’s joy. At the Ottawa Sport Council, we believe that there should only be positive experiences in sport, and work towards that every day.
2025 was a pivotal year for the OSC. After 11 years of visionary leadership, our founder, Marci Morris, stepped down. For me, transitioning into the role of Executive Director in the path of her dedication and history has been both an honor and an energizing challenge. The encouragement, passion and dedication from everyone involved in community sport has propelled me forward.
The Ottawa Sport Council has a phenomenal team, which is everyone who is here, believing in sport and all it has to offer. Through conversations and lessons learned in 2025 I have seen firsthand why sport is so vital in the City of Ottawa. I value the time spent listening, connecting and learning the importance of the Ottawa Sport Council over 2025 and have a better understanding of what it must become tomorrow. Read the 2025 Ottawa Sport Council Annual Report, highlighting our Community Sport Heroes, valuable communications and engagements with a vision for 2026.
Our mission remains clear to me as we launch full force into a new year. We bridge the many gaps that hold our community sport sector together, foster collaboration over competition and give a voice to the volunteers, coaches, parents, officials and participants who give their time to sport so we all can belong in every way. I am so grateful to be doing this with you – working towards solving challenges or celebrating incredible wins, the OSC is dedicated to navigating the ups and downs together.
As I look back on my first year and forward to the many ahead, I am thrilled to be part of this incredible team and community. Thank you for your tireless effort to ensure that sport is here for good. Let’s keep building a city where everyone truly belongs and feels the joy sport brings.
Looking forward to sharing more updates shortly on the OSC happenings for 2026, with new innovative tools, resources and programs ready to support the sport community. Always here to connect, reach out anytime and talk soon.
Best,
– Frances Mercer, Executive Director
Ottawa Sport Council