NEWS: University of Ottawa women’s rugby receives Jumpstart Relief Fund grant for second consecutive year

The University of Ottawa Women's Rugby program is excited to share that they have again been selected by Canadian Tire to receive a grant from the Jumpstart Relief Fund. 

The fund helps community sport organizations like Gee-Gees Women's Rugby enhance access to sport and play for Canadian kids. 

The program received the same grant in late 2021 and launched the Leadership, Equity and Athletic Development (LEAD) Program. Fifteen girls from the Ottawa area participated in the camp, which was organized and run by Gee-Gees women of colour with a focus on character development through sport. 

"Girls quit sports at twice the rate of boys," said Gee-Gees head coach Jen Boyd. "Why? Lack of mentorship. 'You cannot be what you cannot see.' LEAD epitomizes what sport should be for all girls – accessible and safe. Being awarded the Jumpstart grant means girls can try rugby for the first time or continue their development with the help of the Gee-Gees."

In addition to teaching rugby skills, LEAD helps girls gain valuable leadership skills so that they can be leaders of tomorrow.

"The LEAD Program is fantastic because it didn't just help me learn new rugby skills, but helped develop and understand my leadership capabilities," said Tanasiah Lavallee-Smart, who participated in the first edition of the Program. "It opened my eyes to the connections between leadership in my real life and on the rugby pitch, and how to transfer them to each specific setting."

The renewed grant for 2022 will allow the camp to continue for another year. This bi-weekly program will run throughout the winter and spring. More information on the program and registration can be found here.

"While the LEAD Program offers great rugby skill development, I think it also reveals just how much of a leader these young girls already are," said Ngozi Mosindi, a member of the women's rugby team and the LEAD Program's Recruitment & Sustainability Coordinator. "The lessons shared with them are some of the many tools they can use to further their leadership and be an example for their friends and teammates."

Continuing the LEAD Program with the assistance of the Jumpstart Relief Fund further pushes the work the Gee-Gees women's rugby team has been doing over the past three years in finding ways to get women and girls involved in sport. 

The Gee-Gees are thrilled to have received this grant, and would like to commend fellow organizations across Canada who work hard to provide youth opportunities for sport and play.