My Passion for Sport Fueled my Passion for Sport Law

Written by Mike Fleurantin, Sport Law

Spring is often associated with new beginnings and rebirth. This spring, I am so proud to begin the next chapter in my legal career as a sport lawyer. This has been a goal of mine since 2016. With determination, networking, and luck, I finally achieved this goal.  

So why sport law?   

I was born in Montreal, Quebec, shortly after my parents immigrated to Canada from Haiti in the 1980s. Like most parents immigrating to Canada, they aimed to provide a better future for my sister and me. The early years of my life included exposing me to a few sports activities, but our primary focus was to acclimate to our new country and culture. Moving to a new country involves so much adjustment and adaptation. And sport would be one of the ways that I felt welcomed and included.   

My first exposure to sport was in elementary school in Quebec, where I discovered many new sports disciplines, including the high jump. I remember my gym teacher told me that I should consider trying basketball because I could jump really high. I was immediately hooked! 

That summer, we moved to Ottawa, and through basketball, I was able to find myself. I would often connect with neighborhood kids, learning about the game and becoming more confident in the process. I remember playing at the park, attempting my first dunk. I didn't know then, but my friends said my dunking style resembled Shaq's. He became my favourite basketball player, and I became a Lakers fan. These days, I’m more of a Miami Heat fan. 

After many hours of practising with my friends and watching basketball tapes, I became good enough to try out for the school’s basketball team. To my utter surprise, I made the team, and despite my modest contribution, I helped our team win the school board tournament. I would make the basketball team in the following years, continue to improve my skills, and experience many more team successes.  

High school can often create anxiety for young people. However, because I was able to join the Sport Etude Program, I was able to feel welcomed and thrived.  I also made the basketball team and was part of the first cohort to graduate from the program. My experience there was phenomenal. I excelled at learning the fundamentals of the game while competing against elite talent. I learned how sports can teach discipline, fuel excellence and forge lasting friendship. My coaches taught me valuable life lessons that I continue to apply to this day. While my basketball career ended when I graduated from high school, I continue to play recreationally which is more about fun and fitness.  

So how did my passion for basketball translate into my legal career?  

My desire to work in sport law originated from my early experiences in sport including the financial barriers that presented themselves.  While I was presented with opportunities to play basketball for clubs, our family didn’t have the financial means to cover the costs. Not being able to access these opportunities meant that I didn’t have additional training to further my development, nor was I seen by the elite coaches.  I wonder about all the other children whose families can’t afford the additional training that is required to compete at the highest level and this disparity fueled my desire to make sport more accessible.  

As a sport lawyer, I have a moral responsibility to create a fair and accessible playing ground for participants. While only a select few will become professional athletes, I believe that youth sports should be available for everyone. Sport, when it’s at its best can positively impact a young person’s life trajectory. Sport can save lives! I learned this while working as a camp counsellor, volunteering as a basketball coach, and working as a tennis instructor. I saw first-hand how sport can provide a platform for at-risk youth to build positive relationships, develop self-confidence, and gain a sense of agency. 

My goal is to help decision-makers ensure that they are making legally and ethically sound decisions. I believe that Canada can be a global leader in moving the sport system in the right direction and I want to be a part of that change. As a proud member of the Sport Law team, I know I stand united with my colleagues to make a positive difference in the Canadian sport system through our mission of elevating sport.