New Mentorship Program to help young BIPOC athletes overcome barriers and prepare for life after sports

BY PAUL JUNOR

The launch of an innovative and creative mentorship program geared to BIPOC women athletes will undoubtedly make a significant difference in their lives. It is part of the Anti-Racism Program, which the Government of Canada has implemented as part of its Anti-Racism Strategy.

According to the Government of Canada’s website: www.canada.ca, “The Anti-Racism Action Program is intended to help address barriers to employment, justice and social participation among Indigenous peoples, racialized communities and religious minorities.” It is intended to “Prioritize projects that target online hate and promote digital literacy.” 

The announcement of this cutting-edge mentorship program titled, “Athlete Women Empowered (AWE)” was made in a press release on Wednesday, January 17^th, 2022 by Athlete Tech Group, which consists of over thirty Canadian industry leaders.

Miranda Ayim, three-time Olympian and AWE mentor states, “Sports have many benefits, but we see that women student athletes can often face different pressures and barriers when competing in their sports at both amateur and a professional level. This includes adversities such as racism, gender bias, sexism and microaggressions. It is imperative that the next generation of female athletes have the skills and support to navigate the elite sport landscape and beyond. AWE provides tools and resources that support longevity and wellness within sport, as well as the skills needed to prepare for and thrive in the workforce.”

The specific goals of AWE according to the website:www.aweprogram.ca are:

Fostering community
Creating safe spaces to dialogue and find support from fellow peers and mentors.

Building skills for the future of work
Focus on personal and professional skills to help them thrive in a digital future.

Breaking barriers
Breaking barriers and creating opportunities by building confidence and confronting bias.

BIPOC female athletes who are accepted into AWE can access the program from the mobile app, “Training Ground.” It will be necessary to complete six modules over a six-month period that will “Focus on personal, social and professional development through learning and mentorship.”  These include the following modules:

Life After High School
Athletes focus on self-awareness exploring their identity, with and without sport.

Empowering Women for the Future
Athletes explore challenges and adversities women face with a focus on building self-confidence.

Advancing Digital Skills
Athletes prepare for the future of work exploring technology, discovering trends, and building skills.

Women Role Models
Athletes will explore the behaviours, skills, and confidence they need to emulate success.

Thriving in Your Sport
Athletes explore the values of successful sportswomen creating impact with their careers.

Wellness to Thrive
Athletes focus on mental health and wellness strategies to cope with pressures in sport, and life.

BIPOC women, student athletes, parents, and coaches from anywhere in Canada can apply at www.aweprogram.ca.

Applications close on February 14^th, 2022, and the program starts on March 3^rd, 2022.