Empowering Women in Sport: CCAA Hosts Women Leaders in Sport Summit
Oshawa, ON (March 28, 2025) – The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) hosted the Women Leaders in Sport Summit during the 2025 CCAA Women’s Volleyball National Championship at Durham College. The event brought together current and aspiring female leaders in collegiate sport to engage in discussions, networking, and professional development opportunities.
The ACAC was proudly represented by:
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Hayley Helland – Events & Community Engagement Coordinator, ACAC Red Deer
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Sarah Hogue – Assistant Coach, ACAC Lakeland
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Emily Peterson – Game Day Coordinator, ACAC Augustana
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Sarah Singular – Assistant Coach, ACAC Augustana
From Left to Right: Hayley Helland, Sarah Singular, Emily Peterson, Sarah Hogue
Facilitators included key figures in collegiate athletics and women’s sport advocacy:
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Mélanie Gérin-Lajoie – CCAA Board Director (OCAA), George Brown College
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Beth Clark – CCAA Women’s Volleyball Convenor, Assiniboine College
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Gabriela Estrada – Executive Director, Canadian Women & Sport / Fast and Female
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Kiley Little – Student Athlete Advisor & EDI Advisor, Canadian Women & Sport / George Brown College
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Megan Bent – DCSA Chairperson & Chief Elected Officer, Durham College
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Mariana Gonzalez Moreno – Sports Science and Performance Coach, AFC Northern Super League
The summit kicked off on March 6, with attendees taking in the evening matches at Durham College’s Campus Recreation & Wellness Centre. Over the next two days, participants engaged in key sessions, including:
- Women in Sport Leadership Seminar – Led by Canadian Women & Sport representatives, this session emphasized leadership development and mentorship for women in athletics.
- Mental Performance for Women in Sport – A discussion on mental resilience, confidence-building, and the unique challenges faced by female athletes.
- Hosting Championships – A session with Durham College’s Scott and Mike, who provided insights into hosting national championships, covering sponsorship, host committee management, and event logistics. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable knowledge for future championship events.
One of the most insightful sessions was led by Maddie Gonzalez, a sports scientist, who discussed the physiological differences in training female athletes. She highlighted the higher risk of injury during the menstrual cycle and strategies for adapting training schedules accordingly, ensuring that male coaches can support their athletes without discomfort.
The summit also included a facility tour at Durham College, showcasing the extensive planning and attention to detail involved in hosting a national championship. Attendees appreciated the opportunity to observe the event as spectators, gaining insights and taking notes rather than being directly involved in operations.
For Hayley Helland, the experience was nothing short of exceptional:
"My favorite part of the summit was participating in the workshops and seminars. They were very engaging, informative, and empowering. Also, getting the chance to meet everyone and put faces to names! It was so much fun getting to know all of the exceptional women leaders in sport. It was an overall fantastic experience, and I would do it all again in a heartbeat. 'Women empowering women' is a quote that comes to mind, but it still doesn’t do it justice. More like 'powerful women empowering powerful women.”
The event fostered meaningful networking opportunities, bringing together women in sport from across the country to share experiences, challenges, and successes. Participants expressed enthusiasm for future summits, appreciating the chance to learn, connect, and grow in their roles within collegiate athletics.
Thank you to the CCAA and Durham College for providing this incredible opportunity!
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Kayla Beers, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
kaylab@acac.ab.ca