See How She Got Started in the OUA

Anchored in the efforts to spotlight Ontario University Athletics (OUA) student-athletes, the initiative See How She Got Started showcases and tells the story of how some of the conference’s talented student-athletes first got involved in sport and have made their way to the varsity stage on which they currently shine.  It is also hoped that their stories can inspire young athletes to aspire to compete in varsity-level sports.

 

 

Meet OUA Student-Athlete Jillian Cousineau

University - 

Trent University

 

Sport -

Curling

 

Year of Eligibility -

3rd Year

 

Hometown - 

Fort Frances, Ontario 

 

Program of Study - 

Biology and Forensics Joint Degree

 

 

How did you first get involved in your sport?

I first got involved in my sport watching my grandparents curl.  Having the chance to watch them play made me want to curl so I could play with them too. 

 

What most interested you about your sport that made you want to pursue it at a high level?

I think what interested my the most to pursue playing at a high level in curling was the opportunity to play as a team and make new friends.  I also relish the chance to push myself to achieve what I know I’m capable of as a competitive curler. 

 

Was there a specific moment/experience that led you to believe you could compete in your sport at a high level, and if so, what was it?

I think just watching professional curling made me believe I could compete in a higher level.  So many professional curlers have regular every day jobs so that just just sparked my interest even more knowing that I could have an everyday job and still enjoy my love to compete at a high level. 

 

What is your fondest memory/experience of being involved in your sport thus far?

I think my fondest experience of being involved in curling so far is how close teams feel like family. Even if it’s a new team for any given year, we all get so close and we are all there for each other. 

 

Is there someone who inspires you to continue to pursue your sport at this high level (i.e., coach, professional athlete, family member, etc.) and what makes them an inspiration to you?

My family continues to inspire me to pursue my sport at a higher level. They can see that I love the sport and they believe that I can reach that top level if I put my mind to it. Having their support is what makes them an inspiration to me. I really don't think I could have made it to where I am today as a player without them. 

 

What excites you most about continuing your athletic journey at the varsity level within the OUA?

I think the fact that I can continue to grow as a player and teammate is what excites me about my athletic journey especially within the OUA. 

 

 

What is/are some of the more unique aspect(s) of your sport that others may not know about? 

At practice, sometimes we have to practice yelling at each other. This helps us to ensure that when in competition, we will actually be able to hear what the other is saying.    

 

If someone else was looking to start playing your sport, what one piece of advice would you give them to get them started?

I would tell that person who want to try curling to always have fun with it. And, even though it takes a while to get used to how the game is played, never give up. Even after curling for 16 years, I still make mistakes and fall. For me, curling is always about having fun. 

 

What is one critical thing that you do to try to continue to experience improvement within your sport (i.e., specific drill/exercise, training regimen, routine, etc.)?

As a team and as players, we spend a lot of timing doing specific drills at practice. It's also important I spend time at the gym when I can to continue to get stronger and improve that drive.  

 

What would you say to your 10-year-old self about playing and staying in sport?

I would tell my 10-year-old self that your time will come and you are better than you give yourself credit for. I would also tell to recognize that just because that one coach didn’t play you, it was probably the best thing that could have happened as it opened you up to better coaching and growing as a player. Finally, I would remind her that any teammates that you’ve had are now your family and will always be there for you.    

 

Is there one strategy that you find works well for you in creating a positive student/athlete balance in your life?

I think just being able to find that time to train and then do school work is the perfect balance. School gets stressful so being able to go to practice or to the gym to train really helps mental health and acts to help me destress.  

 

SeeWhatSheCanDo

Head to the SWSCD Athlete Advisor, your online athletic business directory. Find, rate and review programs, local community offerings and businesses that will help you do your thing.  

Start a group around a physical activity in your neighbourhood. Explore events. Check out our SWSCD Hub.

Look for advice, stories, news and more on our Curling activity page.  

Have a sport, recreation or physical activity accomplishment you'd like to celebrate and shout out through SWSCD?  Become a SWSCD member and share your story directly on SeeWhatSheCanDo. Or, simply add the hashtag #seewhatshecando to your public social media posts and SWSCD can help you inspire others around you.