Being a varsity athlete has given me opportunity to excel in what I love to do. It has provided me with a pathway to achieve dreams and goals not only in my sport, but in my everyday life. It has taught me things sitting in classes never could and showed me just how tough I really am. Being a varsity athlete has been the most enjoyable aspect of my undergraduate years.

As a varsity athlete, we have the ability to inspire young girls in the crowd to be their best self through hard work, determination, and perseverance. Every time I step on the field I play for my teammates and for the little girl in the stands who is aspiring to be a varsity athlete just like me.

Being a varsity athlete to me means that I am pushing my physical and mental limits for something bigger than myself. I train and compete to achieve my personal goals, and in doing so, I am also helping my teammates reach theirs. I also hope that my role as a varsity athlete inspires future generations of girls to pursue sport through and beyond the university level.

For me, being a female varsity athlete means that I get to be a role model for younger female athletes who are aspiring to continue with sports in the future. Playing soccer brings me so much joy, and getting the opportunity to play at the varsity level allows me to pursue my goal of continuing to play the sport I love for as long as possible.

To me, being a varsity athlete means so much more than just competing in your sport. It forces you to grow as person, create and develop long-lasting relationships with teammates, coaches, and the varsity community as a whole. It means being 100% dedicated to your sport, striving to be your best every day, and having a competitive mindset. Not only does it shape you as a person but it connects you to like-minded people and makes you feel part of a community, all experiencing the same challenges that you are.

Being a varsity athlete means something different for each athlete. For me, its being a part of a group of strong women working towards similar goals and helping each other reach our full potential. It means being inspired and motivated by others but also knowing you’re someone else’s inspiration. It is the fulfillment of a dream and goal that most young female athletes set for themselves at a young age.

I have known for a long time I wanted to compete at the varsity level. I was inspired by other athletes I looked up to, my teammates, and coaches to keep working hard to reach the goals I had set for myself. I am proud that I have become an inspiration to younger female athletes, which is one of the reasons I push myself to get better everyday. In addition to inspiring others, to me, being a varsity athlete means commitment, representing my school, and fulfilling my sense of self. It brings me confidence, friendship, and a bond with that will last forever. Continuing to reach and build on my goals have shown me that I have the ability to succeed in anything I put my mind to.

As a female varsity athlete, I can truly say that my sport means the world to me. My goal in life is to inspire others to surmount to challenges and inspire young individuals to chase their dreams. Having the opportunity to compete in competitive swimming at a post-secondary level is beyond amazing because it is giving women the same athletic opportunity as men (which is super important). I have been able to influence younger females to continue pursuing their athletic careers and I am able to give them knowledge based on my experience. I am motivated by all of my fellow female teammates for their hard work, their passion, their positivity, and their support in the field of high-performance athleticism while continuing a full-time academic degree. Being a female athlete is not just an opportunity to compete in a sport I am passionate about; it is about teamwork, growth, discipline, personal experience, dedication, and challenging myself on many levels with the added components of life skill and values.

Being a varsity athlete has allowed me to proudly represent my school. Varsity athletics has been a channel to develop strong relationships and lasting friendships. My participation on the Laurier lacrosse team has been a tool in providing indispensable life skills.

Being a varsity athlete allows me to express my love and passion for the game. It is also a platform for me to inspire young women of colour to follow their dreams.