London, ON – We encourage you to save the date for Saturday, March 27, 2021 to attend the Western Mustangs one day FREE virtual conference aimed at promoting the growth of women in sport; "Stay in the Game: Pathways for Women in Sport".
 
There are breakout sessions with speakers and panelists in all areas of sport, with special Keynote Speaker Jayna Hefford, a multi-time women's hockey medal winner at the Winter Olympics and IIHF World Women's Championships. Jayna is currently Operations Consultant for the Professional Women's Hockey Players' Association (PWHPA). The diverse selection of coaches, board members, journalists, administrators, and officials was intentional and aims to represent the variety and abundance of opportunities for women in sport.
 
This conference will feature role models for women in all areas of sport, that are excited to share the successes and challenges of their experience. "Young women need to 'see it to be it' and so, this conference is about exposing our Western female student athletes to the many ways to stay involved as leaders in sport after they leave Western," according to Christine Stapleton, Director of Western Sport and Recreation and key organizer of the event.
 
Raising awareness to the various pathways that exist for women in sport after university competitive days are over is important in tackling the underrepresentation of women in sport leadership positions. Maya Kelly, a former student athlete, and now Assistant Coach of Western Women's Volleyball Team, emphasized this, stating, "the benefits of women in sport aid in confidence, discipline, and the development of strong leadership skills developed from being involved in competitive sports environments".
 
Kelly is passionate about this topic: "I strongly believe in the importance of bringing awareness to, and educating women on, the various pathways that exist for women in sport leadership."
 
"Stay in the Game originated with an idea from Head Track and Field Coach, Vickie Croley, after realizing that there was an opportunity to show the abundance of value that sports bring to Western student athletes and local young women in high school who are interested in pursuing opportunities, after competing in sport", according to Christine Stapleton.
 
Dr. Alison Doherty, a Professor with the Sport Management program in Kinesiology at Western, former Elite Track and Field Athlete, and someone who has been instrumental in contributing a great deal to the organizing of the conference, emphasizes her belief in this conferences' message, "I love the theme, that you can 'stay in the game' in the long run; and [the] how - through coaching, journalism, as an athlete, an advocate, or volunteer. The opportunities are endless when there is a passion for sport. We have an amazing group of women in sport that will share their stories, experiences, and advice through keynote speaking, panels, and breakout sessions to address a range of topics pertaining to women in sports".
 
The Stay in the Game conference covers many different questions and concerns that women who wish to stay in sport often ask themselves. The breakout sessions will be a chance for those interested to engage in topics such as: athletic identity, sport activism, sport leadership, work-life balance, women in sport entrepreneurship, dealing with conflict in sport setting, mental health and self-care in sport, and building your Resume/CV for a Sport job. One main challenge for women in sport is balancing a family with the competitive hours required to excel in sport. In the work-life balance breakout session, the hope is to address concerns around issues like that; to inspire women to see the value of sports, even when challenges arise.
 
Alison Doherty is passionate when speaking about keeping women in sport. "All women should have the opportunity to stay/be involved in sport as they wish, without any barriers to that involvement. Why would we even consider dissuading women from meaningful and equal roles in shaping sport and its participants? Further, growing up in a family of men and women, developing in a 'co-ed' sport, and continuing to work and coach with people who are different from me, I have had a first-hand view of the different perspectives that people bring; we need that range of perspectives to make sport the best experience it can be."
 
The sports world has long fostered a spirit of cooperation, community building, and leadership growth. The Stay in the Game conference will show women the many ways they can leverage these possibilities for themselves, their families, and their communities.
 
To read more about the featured speakers and panelists visit: https://westernmustangs.ca/sports/2019/12/5/women-in-sport-conference.aspx

The Western Mustangs want to give a big thank you to the sponsors, who through their generosity, have allowed this to be a free event. To see more details about the sponsors, visit the link above.

To register:
General Admission - CLICK HERE
Western Students - CLICK HERE