As our newest program for New Canadian Youth came to an end for the season on August 30th for their final 5K run, our very own Olympian Natasha Wodak stopped by for a visit and quick warm-up. Natasha recently placed 13th in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the second-fastest female marathoner in Canadian History.
On June 21, 2021, in partnership with DIVERSEcity and SportBC with financial support from the Province of British Columbia through the MInistry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and sport this dedicated group of Immigrant and refugee youth came together with our volunteer leaders to complete a 5K program at Green Timbers Park in Surrey. After opening words from Kristina Niketas, Coordinator, SportMedBC InTraining program and Garrison Duke, a Director at DIVERSEcity, Natasha Wodak spoke to the New Canadian Youth participants about her life in sports growing up in Surrey BC.
As Natasha spoke of her time growing up in Newton, you could hear the Youth gasp, shocked that this Olympian grew up right here in their very own backyard. "Sports kept me, like you said out of trouble, from getting into things that I should be doing. I ran track and cross country and played soccer and that's what I was doing instead of some of the things my friends were doing. I was lucky enough that sports got me a full scholarship at Simon Fraser University. I was able to play sports there and get a full education after high school," Natasha Wodak said.
"It's so important to be involved in sport. The most important thing that I took away from running was I had so much fun and got to meet so many people and make new friendships that have lasted a lifetime. It's awesome that you are all out here doing this."
With the help of SportBC, we are working hard to expand this program into area's beyond Surrey as we know that there are New Canadian Youth tucked in all the neighbourhoods of our beautiful cities here in BC. The New Canadian Youth Program is vital to help our new youth build self confidence, leadership skills, make new friends and achieve their goals. Have a good idea? Let's Chat! Send us an email at InTraining@sportmedbc.com
