University of Ottawa Women's Rugby program receives the Ottawa Community Foundation grant

The University of Ottawa women's rugby program is excited to share that they have been selected to receive a grant from the Ottawa Community Foundation. 

This grant gives organizations in the Ottawa area like Gee-Gees women's rugby the opportunity to better their community through engagement and initiatives that reach a wide range of individuals.

There are several programs organized by the women's rugby program that will be funded by this grant. This includes the Leadership, Equity and Athletic Development (LEAD) program and the Mentoring and Leadership Development program which focuses on character development through sport. It also includes the Rugby Skills program which encourages adolescent girls to remain in sports and the Capacity Development for Female BIPOC Coaches Program which continues the effort to give student-athletes the opportunity to see themselves as leaders.

"These funds will ensure that BIPOC coaches and student-athletes are compensated for their time in supporting these essential programs," said Destine Lord, the Anti-Racism and Inclusion consultant working with the team.

"It feels good to know that the OCF supports the team's vision which is rooted in representation. Not only are coaches and student-athletes motivated to keep pursuing leadership roles within rugby but young girls also benefit greatly when they see themselves reflected in the people coaching them."

Adolescence is often the age range when many girls drop out of sport and physical activity all together. This grant will assist several programs in exposing girls and young women to an accessible new sport and encouraging them to remain in sport and physical activity. Together, these programs have already assisted 1,500 youths.

"Growing up in sport, I can't say that I've ever had someone who looked like me for a coach," said Gee-Gees women's rugby player Ngozi Mosindi, who grew up in Ottawa. "What that taught me was that I could be that representation for other young girls, and show them what they can be too. We are very grateful to receive this grant to continue reaching out to our community   and inspiring change."

The Ottawa Community Foundation grant pushes the Gee-Gees women's rugby program's work further while focusing on empowering change through sport and community engagement. It allows for these programs to run with full support. More information on these programs can be found here.