An anonymous donor, who is passionate about supporting female athletes, is providing a boost to the Brock women\u2019s hockey team with a focus on mental health.<\/p>\n
A sizeable financial donation was recently made to the Badgers with the stipulation that a portion of the funds are directed at supporting the mental health of its student-athletes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe donor felt that female athletes as a group are largely unrepresented and under supported,\u201d said Sonia Dupte, Director, Development and Stewardship, Advancement and External Relations. \u201cAthletes, regardless of gender, are facing challenges during this pandemic with their regular routine being interrupted and fewer or no games being played. Mental health and well-being of student-athletes is a priority at this time to ensure they remain well and thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Women\u2019s hockey head coach Margot Page has made it her mission to create a health-promoting environment since joining the team in 2015. She is looking forward to increased support for the mental well-being of her student-athletes.<\/p>\n
\u201cResources regarding mental health have evolved significantly over the past couple of years and it\u2019s something we\u2019ve always wanted to spotlight with our student-athletes,\u201d said Page. \u201cHockey is the avenue for our female student-athletes to have access to tools like these which will help them in life, through their careers and empower them as women in their future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fourth-year defenceman Kaitlyn Colonna, a Kinesiology student, said receiving a donation directed at improving mental health is a game-changer.<\/p>\n
\u201cTypically, money that our team receives goes towards funding athletic necessities such as equipment, food and travel, so this donation with the intention to help improve our mental health is very much appreciated,\u201d said Colonna. \u201cThis type of donation transcends our status as student-athletes and strives to develop our whole person.\u201d<\/p>\n
Colonna added that student-athletes face a unique situation with the combination of school workload and team responsibilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur lifestyles are scheduled down to the minute,\u201d said Colonna, who was recently named a U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian. \u201cIn the few hours we spend away from school and sport we face both external and internal pressure to continuously better ourselves while managing physical, mental and emotional fatigue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jensen Murphy (BSc \u201919), who backstopped the Badgers for five seasons and recently joined the coaching staff as a goaltending coach, said the donation couldn\u2019t have come at a better time with the extra difficulties created through the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s heartwarming to know there are extra resources available for the team during these hard times,\u201d said Murphy. \u201cI don\u2019t question for a second that I would have benefited from something like this in my first few years as a player. The team is a pretty close family and this donation will only help grow the trust and openness amongst its members.\u201d<\/p>\n
Colonna echoed Murphy\u2019s thoughts.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur team atmosphere is very much family-like. We all deeply care for, love and respect one another,\u201d she said. \u201cOur coaches are always willing to listen and offer advice. Our coaches work towards developing us as much more than just athletes, but as responsible, confident and empowered young women, so this donation helps strengthen that.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn behalf of our team, I would like to send a huge thank you to our donor. Your contribution is very much appreciated, and we are all so grateful. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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