Emerging Trends in Women’s Sports

Bronwyn Corrigan has observed a significant increase in the visibility and popularity of women’s sports. In response to this trend, she has written a book titled Canada’s ABC’s Of Who I Can Be, which features a diverse array of female and non-binary athletes. The book aims to celebrate athletes from various sports and backgrounds, showcasing inspiring examples for young readers.

Recent expansions in professional leagues such as the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) underline this momentum. Notably, Toronto will welcome its own WNBA franchise called the Tempo, further enhancing the landscape for women’s sports.

Inspiration Behind the Book

During a discussion with Craig Norris on CBC Kitchener-Waterloo’s The Morning Edition, Corrigan cited her inspiration stemming from a book by Australian athlete Chloe Dalton, who launched the Female Athlete Project. Corrigan felt the need for a similar publication in Canada and chose to write it herself after years of reflecting on its importance.

Focus on Representation and Diversity

As a former soccer and rugby athlete herself, Corrigan emphasizes the importance of representation in sports. She recalls her experiences growing up, where the visibility of sports heroes helped shape her aspirations. Acknowledging that not all youth have access to such role models, she aims for her book to serve as an inclusive resource that reflects various pathways to athletic achievement.

The book highlights 26 athletes from different sports, ensuring that all abilities, identities, and backgrounds are represented. Corrigan hopes that through this representation, children will find inspiration and see themselves in these stories.

Exploring Different Sports

Part of Corrigan’s writing process involved researching lesser-known sports, facilitating learning opportunities for readers. Each athlete featured is accompanied by a description of their sport. To further aid understanding, a glossary at the end of the book explains each sport mentioned, making it accessible to a broader audience.

Target Audience and Community Impact

Corrigan envisions her book becoming a staple on children’s bookshelves, advocating for early exposure to diverse sports. She believes that adults will also find value in the content, as illustrated by feedback from peers who discovered new athletes through her work.

Growth of Women’s Sports

Commenting on the growing popularity of women’s professional leagues, Corrigan expresses her enthusiasm for the changes over the past two decades. She recounts attending early games in urban parks for modest ticket prices, in stark contrast to the sold-out arenas of today. This underscores a seismic shift in societal attitudes toward women’s sports, indicating a promising future for female athletes and their visibility.

Listen to the Interview

For further insights, the full interview with Bronwyn Corrigan can be accessed through the CBC Kitchener-Waterloo’s platform, where she discusses her experiences and vision in greater detail.