Katherine Representing Canada at the World University Games!
KATHERINE DENIS, a uOttawa Human Kinetics student, has qualified to represent Canada at the FISU World University Games (the Winter Universiade).
Since a young age Katherine has dreamed of representing Canada at an international level. Katherine's performances last season and the advent of a new ski team at uOttawa have made those dreams a reality. Katherine is a uOttawa Nordiq athlete who also trains and races with the local Nakkertok Nordic Development Team.
The Winter Universiade is the largest university winter multi-sport competition in the world, and the 2019 competition will draw thousands of student-athletes together in Krasnoyarsk Russia, and will be broadcast to more than 100 countries, reaching over 300 million viewers.
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Katherine's participation at the Winter Universiade will have impacts far beyond her personal goals. Here's Why . . .
A Role Model for Girls
Girls drop out of sport twice as much as boys, and by age 17 more than half of girls quit sports. Beyond the health benefits of being active, staying in sport helps girls develop self confidence, leadership skills, determination, and a positive body image. Lack of positive role models may be a key factor. Katherine's participation at the Winter Universiade makes her a highly visible role model for younger athletes and university students.
Kat Denis Coaching2_Medium - Copy.mp4Teaching and Inspiring Through Coaching
Beyond skiing and school, Katherine finds time to coach at Nakkertok Nordic. Here she has the opportunity to directly inspire many young skiers. This coaching role is incredibly important and has far-reaching implications, as female coaches are a large minority across most sports.
The Importance of University Sport
Many girls drop out of sport to prioritize school. But a growing body of research shows that participating in sports can likely benefit school performance: physical activity improves brain function and is linked to scholastic achievement. Sport also helps improve many skills needed to succeed academically (dedication, time management, and perseverance). Being active and part of a team can also help students cope with the stresses of post-secondary education.
You have to see it to be it.
Katherine is showing young girls that it is possible to go to University and continue competing in sport. Knowing that Katherine is competing on the World Stage might convince girls that they don't need to quit sport to focus on school!
