Canada’s women setting great example for girls in Tokyo, says Regina sports organization

Canada’s entire medal haul at the Olympics has been reeled in by women so far and that has a leader in Regina’s sporting community thrilled with what she’s seeing in Tokyo.

Kaylan Berg is the CEO of Girls in the Game, a youth sport program that aims to build self-esteem in girls through athletics.

Whether it has been on the field, the mat, or in the water, Canada’s women have shone brightly. Berg says they are setting a powerful example for youth and what they can achieve.

“We always say at Girls in the Game, and in any in anything, you have to see it to be it,” Berg says.

She points to the importance of girls having role models in sports. At Girls in the Game, the coaches and organizers are all current or former athletes. Without mentors, Berg says it can be intimidating to participate in physical activity, whether it’s gym class or tee ball.

“Monkey see, monkey do. Whatever they’re seeing on TV or seeing in their communities, that’s what they know to be normal,” she says.

The Olympics have thrust women’s sports into the spotlight for a change. At other times, Berg has found it difficult to find broadcasts of high-level women’s sports. If she wants to see Kia Nurse, regarded as Canada’s top women’s basketball player, she turns to YouTube, not the television.

“Unless you’re actively searching out different teams that you’re maybe already a fan of, or looking for that, sometimes it can be hard,” she says.

Much of Girls in the Game’s programming targets those between five and 10 years old. Berg says research has shown that is a critical age bracket that heavily influences a child’s life.

“If a girl has not had positive sport experience by the time she’s 10 or around grade five, the chances of her going on to live a active lifestyle significantly decreases,” she says.

Sports have given Berg a lot. She landed a volleyball scholarship in university. She has also travelled playing ultimate frisbee. Along the way, she built friendships, learned life skills and experienced a sense of belonging that she wants to pass on to others.

“I feel like every success that I have, I can connect directly back to either family or sports,” she says. “Personally, I always feel like I’m at my best self when I’m really active, especially in sports.”