Being a varsity athlete allows me to be a role model for all the young girls that attend our games. We are able to show them that it doesn’t matter your gender or background, but with dedication and a hard work ethic, you can be successful in sport.

I believe that being a varsity athlete has given me the opportunity to grow in every aspect of my life and provided me with the motivation to continue with sports even after graduating. I also have the opportunity to inspire and be a voice for younger female athletes.

To me, being a varsity athlete means being given the opportunity to empower other women and girls around me. I believe that the more female leaders there are in sport, the more likely we will be able to convince young female athletes that they can achieve anything they put their mind to.

Engaging in a sport like soccer gives me an undeniable identity with something greater than myself. I started out as a very timid player who was set on picking every dandelion on the field rather than kicking a ball into a net. That all changed when my older male cousin tried to insinuate that I was doing that because the sport wasn't 'made' for me. I was determined to prove him wrong and after scoring my first goal, I found myself hooked. Hooked to this belief in myself. Hooked to pushing boundaries. Hooked to being a woman in sport. Soccer has consistently been my outward expression of the statement 'Anything you can do, I can do better'. I have been lucky enough to have an incredibly strong and talented woman dedicate considerable time into developing every part of my physical abilities. That, in and of itself, is the entire essence of women supporting each other that keeps me playing.

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.

Sport has taught me so much over my life. I believe every girl should have the opportunity to play and learn. Being a female varsity athlete means being a role model and inspiration for younger girls in sport. I try to lead by example to inspire the younger generation so they can aspire to varsity athletics.

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 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.

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.

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.