SISTERS IN SPORT: MEET FALLON AND PARIS MCGROARTY

For sisters Fallon and Paris McGroarty, sport has always been part of their lives. Their connection to Girls Forward began in different ways, Fallon (FM) as a participant who grew into leadership roles within the organization, and Paris (PM) as an observer who later stepped in as a mentor. Together, their journeys show how powerful role models and supportive spaces can be for girls in sport.

Our Sport Content Coordinator, Kaitlyn Lehbert (KL) spoke with the two about the following:

KL: How did your journey with Girls Forward first begin?

FM: My journey with Girls Forward began in 2017 when I attended my first event called Champ Chat at the University of Toronto. After that, I participated in a Girls and Women in Motion: Girl’s Multi-Sport Program, in Winter of 2020, where I first met Gaby Estrada, who from there reintroduced me to the Girls Forward organization. Since then I have participated in countless events online and in-person, ranging from virtual summits to Built to Play soccer sessions. Each experience introduced me to new opportunities, role models, and a community that truly believes in empowering girls through sport and physical activity. I am forever grateful for being a part of this incredible organization, and I can’t wait for the many years to come!

KL: When you discovered Girls Forward, what stood out to you, even initially as an observer while your sisters were involved as participants?

PM: I found out about Girls Forward when my mom enrolled my younger sisters in one of their soccer programs. As an observer, what stood out to me was how supportive and personable the coaches were to all of the girls. It was what eventually drew me towards volunteering my own time later. I think that it’s very important to ensure that girls and young women have strong, empowered role models who can show them that anything is possible.

KL: You’ve been through almost every part of the Girls Forward ecosystem- participant, coach, council member, and more. Why has that journey been important to you?

FM: Being involved with Girls Forward in many different capacities has allowed me to experience the many aspects of girls in sport.

As a participant, I was able to learn and grow from the guidance and encouragement of role models around me.

Now, as a member of the Youth Advisory Council, I have the opportunity to collaborate and share ideas with my fellow council members during our monthly meetings, help improve programs for current Girls Forward participants, work alongside staff, and get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating these programs.

My favourite part about being a coach is working directly with the participants and seeing their confidence and love for sport grow. My experiences have taught me that girls thrive when they are supported, encouraged, and surrounded by role models who believe in them and strive to create safe and empowering spaces.

KL: After mentoring with Girls Forward, what has stayed with you most about the girls you worked with?

PM: The most impactful part of my work with Girls Forward was seeing how some of the girls noticed all of the little things I did to connect with them. At the beginning of the Built to Run program, we had a couple of older girls who were apprehensive to run long distances. Instead of lumping them in with the rest of the more eager, athletically involved participants, I did my best to bond by getting to know them before drawing them into our activities. At the end of the session, one of the girls wrote on her feedback form that the coaches made her feel “good, because they’re kind and fun to talk to”. In brackets, she specified my name, and when I first read that message I truly felt like the effort I put in to connect was noticed. 

That experience really stuck out to me, because I often think of the positive role models that I had as a young girl in sport. Even if I didn’t stay consistent with that sport, or keep in touch with each coach, I remembered their messages and how playing for them made me feel. It meant the world to me to find out that one of the girls I worked with felt similarly about me. I’ll carry this with me as a reminder that many of the small, conscious decisions that we make as Role Models and coaches have big impacts when it comes to keeping girls engaged and involved in sport. 

KL: You’ve spoken about loving running with the emphasis taken off speed. How do you model that mindset for girls who may not see themselves as runners or athletes?

PM: In many aspects of life, there is a lot of emphasis on competition. My goal when talking to the girls about running is to remove some of that pressure. Running doesn’t have to be about being fast or completing extraordinary distances. My hope is that if we make sports like running less intimidating, more people will fall in love with it as a lifelong healthy hobby.

I try to model this mindset by being honest and open with the girls. During warmup jogs, I encourage conversation so they can see that running, and sports as a whole, can be a community.

Most importantly, I talk to them about the importance of not giving up on themselves. This lesson applies to long-distance running, but it’s also relevant in other areas of life. Many of the lessons we learn in sport, especially perseverance, can carry into everyday life.

KL: What’s next for you in your sports journey and studies?

FM: My next step is obtaining a degree in sport management, where I hope to combine my passion and knowledge for sport. I’m excited to learn more about the industry side of professional sport and broaden my understanding of how sport operates at all levels. I am also hoping to continue playing basketball at the university level.

Furthermore, I hope to continue working with Girls Forward and other spaces that support and empower girls and women in sport, whether that’s through coaching, mentorship, program development, and more!

Both sisters continue to stay involved in sport and with Girls Forward. From participants to mentors to staff, their journey shows how community and role models empower girls in sport for life.

To learn more about getting involved with Girls Forward, click here. To support our mission of empowering girls in sport, physical activity, and education across Canada, click here.