Top 10 Women's Sports Moments of 2019 to Inspire You in 2020
There were countless jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring, feel-good, action-packed sports moments to treasure in 2019. Here are 10 of the most memorable ones that SeeWhatSheCanDo captured (not in any particular order).
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1. The 2019 Ontario ParaSport Games
Paramazing Athletes
Until you've seen a blind athlete competing in goalball, experienced the rush of athletes playing wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, sledge hockey or the many other parasports, you can't appreciate the exceptional athleticism of these individuals. The Ontario ParaSport Games is an amazing event that welcomes Ontario’s best para-athletes to compete at the provincial level and promotes awareness of parasport opportunities for all.
Featured here is just one highlight from the many sports we covered over the three-day Durham Region event. #wheelchairrugby is a full-contact strategic team sport that's as much fun to watch as it is to play.
2. The 2019 CSRA FXR Kawartha Cup Snowcross Races
Karkoulas Sisters - The Power of Family and Community
These three talented sisters - Brooklyn (14 yrs), Dakota (12 yrs), and Zoe (9 yrs) - grew up in a home with a dad who raced and ignited their passion for racing. It was so great to watch these young women race powerful machines, surrounded by a family that embraces racing together and a super supportive race community.
Sub-zero temperatures did not keep fans away from the fairgrounds in Lindsay. The crowds were big and we enjoyed soaking in the sun under a blue-bird sky as we experienced the awesomeness of these athletes and this racing community first-hand.
See more Karkoulas sister action.
3. Shes4Sports #Ownit Sports Panel
Women Entrepreneurs Who Run Businesses With Purpose
These women entrepreneurs are building community, mentoring the next generation and changing the world. We were thrilled to be a part of this She's4Sports and Ryerson University's Global Experiential Sport Lab (GXSLab)'s #ownit panel and the wave of positive change.
From sportscasting with passion, fitness spaces with unique experiences, athletic wear that celebrates and empowers women who love to play, new and innovative digital spaces, to powerful philanthropic initiatives, these women unite communities around the power of sport.
4. Hijabi Ballers Women's Sports Festival
Inspiring Muslim Women and Girls to Embrace Their Inner Athlete
Hijabi Ballers, a community-based sports program, honours and encourages Toronto and GTA Muslim women of all ages to be physically active and participate in sports while upholding their religious and cultural beliefs. As a rugby player, Amreen Kadwa was often told that women who wear a hijab shouldn't play sports. For Amreen, this was simply not true so she started Hijabi Ballers to help Muslim women SEE IT and BELIEVE IT.
We experienced both the Hijabi Ballers' first annual Community Conference and their third annual Sports Festival. We were moved by the passion, community, vision, and impact of this volunteer-run organization.
See the athlete photo gallery to learn more about Hijabi Ballers.
5. Pulse Racing's 2019 Women's 4-Hour MTB Relay
It's Like Riding With 150 of Your Besties
From first-timers to seasoned riders, Pulse Racing's Women's 4-Hour Mountain Bike Relay was a huge success. With 50% more riders than last year, the vibe on the mountain last June was warm, welcoming and super fun. Kudos to organizers Pulse Racing and Hardwood Ski and Bike for an awesome event.
As official action photographers and reporters for this event, we were moved by so many rider stories. From a 74-year old active mom who inspired her daughter to get off the couch and onto the hills to kids who are encouraging their moms to try new things, we know these stories and the photo highlights will move you too.
Check out women's stories that will move you (literally) from the trails of Hardwood Ski and Bike.
6. Phyllis Sadoway - The Godmother of Ringette
Never Underestimate Your Power to Make a Difference in the World
Ringette legend Phyllis Sadoway has received countless awards for her commitment to sport in Canada including a top national coaching award last year at the 2019 Petro-Canada Sports Leadership Awards Gala in Richmond, BC.
From the time she started coaching her children in the sport, Phyllis knew ringette needed a little TLC to stay relevant and global. Phyllis is smart, humble and a powerful community-builder who has made an incredible impact on women and girls. It was an honour to catch up with this force of nature for an interview.
Check out our interview with Phyllis and see what makes this Canadian legend so epic.
7. The RAM Rode Tour - Barrel Racing and Pole Bending
Horse and Rider - The Perfect Partnership
If you've never been to a rodeo before, this is a must-see event. We attended the 2019 RAM Rodeo Tour at its inaugural stop at the Brooklin Spring Fair as well as the Championship Finals held in Newmarket, Ontario at the Royal Canadian Riding Academy in October. We were blown away! It's amazing to see the partnership between rider and horse. These riders work as one with 1000+ lb. animals demonstrating trust, precision, speed, agility.
The vibe is so fun! Fans are cheering on riders to get through the course and the dust/dirt that flies as riders corner the poles and barrels adds to the whole experience. Make sure the fair you attend this summer has a rodeo. You won't be disappointed.
See these amazing riders and horses in action.
8. Whitby Fire Girls Ball Hockey
See A Need? Be the One To Make It Happen.
What do you do when you want to play ball hockey with your female friends but there is no local league? You rally the troops and start your own.
Last fall we met Tracy Kitchen. She saw the need for an all-female ball hockey league to serve Whitby and the many other surrounding cities and towns. With the help of the Town of Whitby and the support of Andee Kitchen and Danielle Close, who both shared her passion for creating a new league, the Whitby Fire Girls Ball Hockey league became a reality. The league is open to girls and women from 6 to 66 years old.
We were thrilled to meet these passionate women and witness the inaugural season. How can your heart not soar when you see these adorable kids learning a new sport?!
Learn how this league got started and check out our action-packed ball hockey athlete gallery.
9. Women's Ontario Tamil Sports League (WOTSL)
The Joy of Your Very First Point
"Sports are about relationships and inspiration and joy and pushing yourself harder than you thought possible and winning with grace and losing with dignity", says Joe Posnanski, former senior columnist for Sports Illustrated as he describes the nature of winning and losing. This is so very true. In our books, winning is also about learning, taking risks, trying new things and celebrating small victories.
One of our most memorable 2019 sports moments happened at a local volleyball game in Scarborough, Ontario. We witnessed the joy of a new volleyball player getting a serve over the net for the very first time, for her very first point and her team celebrating this milestone with her. It was so incredibly heartwarming and a reminder of the power of community in sport!
10. LPGA CP Women's Open 2019
Inspiration, Celebration, and Community
Last, but certainly not least, the CP Women's Open 2019 was a great sporting event.... and so much more. Beyond the joy of watching the game, we were awed by the display of mentorship, empowerment, and philanthropy organized by Golf Canada and Canadian Pacific (CP) through activities like the Golf Town #BrookeBrigade, SickKid's fundraising initiatives through the CP Has Heart program, and the CP Women's Leadership Summit.
It was so exciting to watch Canadian pro golf icons Lorie Kane and Brooke Henderson, as well as Michelle Liu - Canada's youngest LPGA athlete - hit the green in our very own backyard this past August at Magna Golf Club along with twelve other fellow Canadian golfers. These photos reflect the heart, determination and skill of these great golfers. The future of golf is super bright in Canada!
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