Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management

Faculty members in FKRM bring a collaborative and integrative approach to their roles. They provide undergraduate and graduate students with rich experiences and opportunities to develop through their own educational journeys, helping to improve communities across the globe.

Academic complement

Guided by principles of Reconciliation and a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, FKRM's undergraduate programs are driving forward the study and practice of physical activity, sport and leisure.

Enrollment

Admissions

Graduation

FKRM's graduate programs provide students with a diverse range of fundamental, theoretical and applied research experiences across fields health, leisure and human performance to find ways to help our communities live healthier lives.

FKRM is the proud home of world-leading researchers studying physical activity, human movement, sport and leisure through a variety of lenses. Our research helps improve lives through the pursuit of both physical and mental well-being for individuals and communities.

Faculty funding

Student research

Bison Sports' mission is to provide high performance competitive programs that foster personal growth and leadership through the pursuit of athletic and academic excellence, and community engagement.

*Seasonal coach

Mini U has been a trusted provider of children's programs for over 40 years. Their programs offer children and youth the opportunity to discover new passions and develop essential skills, ensuring a memorable and impactful experience that lasts far beyond the summer months.

Program information

The Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management operates more than one million square feet of indoor and outdoor facilities on UM's Fort Garry Campus. Learn more about what our facilities have to offer.

Completed projects

Recreation Services provides membership and recreational programming opportunities for the university community and the general public at both Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses.

Memberships as of March 31, 2026

Financial summary as of March 31, 2026

In thousands

Research Day 2025 turned the spotlight on Indigenous issues during the annual event. Keynote speaker Dr. Janice Forsyth presented her work, which combines history and sociology to explore the relationship between sport and culture from Indigenous perspectives.

She was joined by other presenters including Dr. Jon McGavock from the Children’s Hospital Research Institution of Manitoba, Dr. Moneca Sinclaire of Our Data Indigenous, and Sonny Albert, the Director of Parks and Recreation for Norway House Cree Nation, to discuss the year’s theme of Indigenous health and wellness.

• Read the full UM Today story.

Dr. Cheryl Glazebrook explored the power of dance during her TEDxWinnipeg presentation. Glazebrook's talk explored how dance can transcend age and ability as a joyful, inclusive way to connect and grow. A dancer her whole life, Glazebrook says this talk was her two worlds coming together.

“It’s a connection of the dance part of my life and my profession as a professor,” says the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management professor. “I’m practicing where I’m going to go, where I’m going to look, what I’m going to say, and so it feels more like getting ready to dance.”

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KPER 4000: Experiencing Dance History lets students learn and experience the diverse history of cultural dances from around the globe. Liz Markwart, a sessional instructor leading the course and current PhD student in Peace and Conflict Studies, says the class blends the learning of dance history with studio sessions to create a totally new understanding of the information.

“To experience even a bit of that moment creates a completely different understanding than reading a book or watching a video,” says Markwart.

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FKRM Assistant Professor Dr. Mandi Baker is co-editor of a new book that looks at why outdoor spaces feel safe and freeing for some people, but intimidating, exclusionary or even unsafe for others. The book is titled Inclusion and Equity in Outdoor Leisure: Whose Body Belongs?

Each chapter of the book details the experiences of various groups who have historically been excluded. They talk about race, age and disabilities in outdoor recreation. Baker says it was important to her and co-editor, Dr. Neil Carr, that the book told the “real and raw” stories of people who have felt excluded.

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Over 1,000 participants joined the basketball, hockey, soccer and volleyball leagues during the Winter Term intramural season across both UM campuses. Made up of UM students, staff and faculty, the leagues’ real impact is felt beyond their fields of play.

Bilal Bandmaster, a fifth-year student in the Asper School of Business, says he was welcomed with “open arms” by other teammates during his first year playing with a soccer team. Bandmaster says his time as a player changed his university experience. Playing in the league gave him an opportunity to stay on campus and connect more with the student community. 

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FKRM Assistant Professor Dr. Janet Lawson has been involved in creating the Municipal Guide for Disability Inclusion in Recreation and Physical Activity. The guide is a comprehensive look at how communities can manage inclusive programming.

“Once we are able to open our doors and provide inclusive programs where persons with disabilities can meaningfully participate, we see they experience a sense of belonging and are able to challenge themselves and learn new skills, just as anybody else would,” says Lawson.

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Ashley Gagnon, the Associate Director of Children’s Programs, says parents often say one thing when they’re asked why they chose Mini U: the camp leaders. Gagnon says  this  response  is not by chance.  Mini U  works hard to help its team members and campers grow together.

Gagnon says helping team members grow into leaders has been her focus for over a decade. That focus prepares them to excel in their roles with Mini U and in their communities. She says Mini U uses workshops, clear expectations and focused feedback to give team members chances to grow.

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Behind every UM student-athlete is a dedicated team supporting their health, mindset and performance. The Bisons Integrated Support Team (BIST) brings together experts in athletic therapy, sports psychology, nutrition and strength and conditioning to collaboratively maximize each student-athlete’s potential.

“It’s comforting knowing that there is a team of professionals behind me — people who genuinely want the best for you. It really does take a village,” says Simone Crevier, a track and field and cross-country athlete.

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At the national Kinesiology Games, kinesiology (and other related programs) students from across the country gather to “do what they do best,” and show off their skills, knowledge and passion across a variety of categories from their field of study. Team Manitoba brought home gold medals in the overall and academic competitions at the 2025 games, hosted this year by Mount Royal University.

“In all my years of playing organized sports, I don’t think I have truly been a part of a team that worked as well as we did,” says first-year kinesiology student Jonathan Hiebert. “Not only were we all teammates, but we became genuine friends.

• Read the full UM Today story