‘Champ Chat’ program plans Lethbridge visit

STEACY AMONG SPEAKERS TO EMPHASIZE KEEPING GIRLS INVOLVED IN SPORTS

An empowering day for young women in sport is coming to Lethbridge on May 26. Fast and Female, in partnership with the Lethbridge Sport Council, will be holding a “Champ Chat” day at Chinook High School for girls ages eight to 14 to inspire and encourage a lifetime of healthy sporting activity and positive selfimage.

At the event announcement Wednesday, hometown Olympic hero Ashley Steacy was introduced as one the female sport ambassadors taking part in the Champ Chat. She said she was hoping to bring an uplifting and empowering message for young female athletes in Lethbridge.

“I have had such an amazing athletic career and it has given me such a great opportunity to travel the world and make amazing friends,” she told the assembled media on hand for the announcement.

“It has given me a lot of the qualities I possess being in sports. So me being able to share that with the younger generation coming up is imperative.”

Steacy pointed to alarming statistics which suggest young women are more likely to drop out of sports when they reach their teen years at a much higher rate than young men.

“I remember when I was young I didn’t have a great self-body image,” she confessed. “When I found rugby, I was able to embrace the power of my body and being short, and being muscular, right? I think if girls can stay involved in sport and find those attributes within themselves, and find what really fits for them, I think is an amazing opportunity. We just have to have (events) like this where we can inspire them to stay in sport longer.”

Tanya Whipple of the Lethbridge Sport Council said holding such an event in the city was really a “no-brainer” once the possibility was brought to the LSC’s attention by a local parent who had attended a Champ Chat with her daughter in Calgary last fall.

“On May 26 I hope to see 100 young girls between the ages of eight and 14 come out, and just have an amazing day,” Whipple said. “Just to have fun and be inspired, and make new friends and connections.”

For more information on the coming Champ Chat contact the Lethbridge Sport Council at 403-320-5412. Those interested can also register online at

Herald photo by Tijana Martin @TMartinHerald Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Ashley Steacy is all smiles after announcing the coming “ChampChats” event which aims to help motivate and empower girls between eight and 14 years of age to keep an active lifestyle through sports.