Some of Canada’s finest athletes have come from farms. With the Fuelling Women Champions movement, Canada’s dairy farmers have shown a deep commitment to a healthy lifestyle via athletic achievement.
We spoke to two notable women athletes who grew up on dairy farms. We wanted to see which lessons from their farm life have proven most valuable in sport.
Cristy Nurse is a competitive rower who’s primed to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“I believe that being active is characteristic of people who grow up on a farm,” says Nurse, who hails from a dairy farm in Georgetown, Ontario. She grew up showing animals in competitive animal shows.
“Showing animals and rowing may seem completely different, but it’s all about competition. You pick a cow, you train it yourself and you’re completely responsible for it. You show it at competitions and there are results. When it comes to rowing, it’s pretty much the same thing. You’re responsible for your own training,” she explains.
Claudia Séguin also feels like her farm life informed her athletic values. She’s an accomplished competitive volleyball player from Saint-Pascal-Baylon, Ontario. She also grew up on a dairy farm, born to two athletes – her father, a basketball player and her mother, a baseball player.
“I was raised on a dairy farm and spent my childhood in a barn. My parents were always very active and also extremely involved in the farming community. They always give 100% in everything they do,” says Claudia. “For me, being involved in the community is a way to make a difference, while staying true to myself.”
Why are dairy farmers so invested in the success of women athletes? Perhaps it comes down to values. Dairy farmers believe in an active, healthy lifestyle, which can be achieved in part by sport. That explains Canada’s dairy farmers’ support of the Fuelling Women Champions movement.
“It’s an incredible initiative to encourage women to participate in sports,” says Claudia. “I constantly feel the support of my community and the dairy community.”
Cristy Nurse echoes her comments. “It recognizes women athletes and their leadership. It sends an excellent message to young girls.”
You can support the Fuelling Women Champions movement by following on social media: Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
