SPOTLIGHT: A captain and champion makes history with endowed scholarship

Ayana Forward (Nurse) has been part of many great moments in Gee-Gees women's soccer history. She has three OUA gold medals and two national silver medals from her time with the Gee-Gees and was in the stands as a proud alumna in 2018 when the team captured the U SPORTS national championship banner.

She is now making history as the first women's soccer alumna to establish an endowed scholarship. In fact, she is the first Gee-Gees women's team alumna to establish an endowed scholarship, period.  

"I remember receiving an envelope while in second year, while living at Brooks residence, and to my surprise, it was a bursary for $1,000," says Forward. "It came at a really good time as I think I had some textbooks to buy that week. It was something that made a difference for me and it stuck with me all these years later."

A graduate of the Telfer School of Management with Bachelor of Commerce degree in 2002, Forward earned her Certified Financial Planner designation in 2008. A decade later she opened her own practice, Retirement in View.

"What drew me to financial planning was the combination of problem-solving and helping clients put together all the pieces of their financial puzzle." 

Part of that problem-solving was honed over her career in Garnet and Grey, which spanned 1997-2000.

"I remember a feeling of complete overwhelm when I arrived at my first Gee-Gees soccer practice - they had just won nationals the year before. Slowly but surely I got up to pace and was starting by the end of my rookie season, even scoring a penalty in the 1997 OUA final. It was a good lesson in perseverance and to not give up when something seems hard."

When she was named captain during her final two years, Forward knew she had responsibilities beyond herself. That outlook has remained with her throughout her career, and now with the scholarship.

"I volunteer with the CRA's Community Volunteer Tax Clinics which help Indigenous Peoples, newcomers and refugees, persons with disabilities, seniors, youth and students, homeless and housing insecure individuals, and individuals with a modest income."

Starting a women's soccer scholarship was a "bucket list" item for Forward, who accomplished that goal three years ago. Now, her scholarship is endowed which means it will continue year after year.  

This year's recipient is first-year midfielder Nammi Nguyen, from Saskatoon. Nguyen is also a commerce student – a great match for the history-making gift from Forward.