Being a female varsity athlete has allowed me to develop the confidence to accomplish my goals on and off the court. It has given me the strength to know I can and I will.

Being a varsity athlete means having the responsibility to promote the female game and inspire the generations to follow. Too often you hear of young girls quitting sports due to societal pressures, so it's important for us athletes to be role models and make sports something that anyone can pursue, no matter your gender.

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.

I'm grateful for this experience, it changed my life in so many ways. Being a varsity athlete is a privilege in itself. It gives me the opportunity to play the sport that I love, get a great education, be inspired by other athletes, and inspire future athletes. Especially being a woman, there can be so much bias, but I just think it is so uplifting to see so many amazing female players motivate one another, it really does break down barriers.

Being a student-athlete means that I get to put the black and gold on my back and represent my school while doing what I love. Many people look up to student athletes and it feels good to be respected in that way. We have the power to influence the people around us and that’s what motivates me to keep playing the sport I love.

Being a varsity athlete means a lot of things. It means being a part of a community/support group/social network made up of really wonderful ladies (and men because we all train and hang out together). It's a stress reliever, mind clearer, and motivator. It is learning about physical health, exercise, nutrition, mental health and mental strength/performance, setting goals, and learning how to overcome personal challenges. It's learning how to manage your time and finding that balance. And while balancing it all along with academics can feel overwhelming at times, I know I'm learning so much about myself that will carry with me into other aspects of my life beyond university. It is extremely rewarding. Finally, being a female varsity athlete in Nordic Skiing in particular, to me is incredibly inspiring and I'm so happy to be a part of it.

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.

Being a varsity athlete is a dream come true. Representing my school as well as my team is something special and I will cherish it forever. It has also allowed me to expand and meet other female athletes that are truly inspiring. Being a female athlete is empowering.

To be a female athlete who is able to compete in a high level sport is a privilege to me. To be a female athlete means to have strength, courage and commitment. I am involved in sport to push my own limits, step outside my own comfort levels, set my own goals, and be apart of a second family full of talented female athletes. My teammates and my coaches inspire me to maintain my involvement, when I see them striving towards their goals and accomplishments that they have achieved and are working towards. Being a female involved in sport has given me confidence, pride, pure joy, and a group of powerful allies that I can rely on and off the field. It has encouraged myself to grow into a woman that I am constantly trying to better on and off the field, for my coach, my teammates, my family and for myself.

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.