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KAITLYN’S SPORT STORIES: JUNE 30, 2025

In this edition, we catch up on McGill University’s latest commitment to women’s sports, this time advancing research and sports science for women athletes. We also take a look at the Canadian Women’s National Team and Toronto Tempo’s Pride Month celebrations, as well as Faith Kipyegon’s pursuit of a running world record, with Nike’s investment in her historic moment. Lastly, we highlight local events in Ontario, including Girls Can Play Day and the Ontario Mega Girls Baseball Tournament.

 

MCGILL UNIVERSITY IS UPPING ITS WOMEN’S SPORTS GAME OFF THE FIELD

 

Two McGill alumni, Monica Leitham Hantho (BEd ‘81) and Mark Hantho (BComm ‘81), have donated $1.25 million to McGill’s women’s athletics and the advancement of female athletic performance at the Sylvan Adams Sports Science Institute (SASSI).

Named the Hantho Initiative for Women’s Athletics, the gift will support a collaboration between McGill’s Athletics and Recreation department and the Faculty of Education. 

Women’s sports research and science still lag behind. SASSI director Benoit Gentil noted that sports often treats women as biologically equivalent to men, which is inaccurate. The initiative aims to build evidence-based support focused on women in sport. 

McGill has long supported women’s sports. In 2018, alumni, Sheryl Kerr (B’Com ‘67) and David Kerr (BSc ‘65) donated $3.5 million to establish the McGill Women in Sport (WiS) Program, increasing full-time coaching staff and improving the overall female student-athletes’ experience through additional resources and support.

 

canada’s women’s national team celebrates pride and a home game win

 

 

 

 

 

A key highlight was the presence of Northern Super League players on the national team. This signals how a strong domestic league will build depth and prepare Canada Soccer for even more long-term international success.

 

TORONTO TEMPO AT THE HELM WITH MONTH-LONG PRIDE CELEBRATIONS

 

The Toronto Tempo marked Pride Month through initiatives focused on celebrating and educating around 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion, including limited-edition Pride merch, spotlights on local organizations, and a pop-up event at Stackt Market. The month wrapped up with the team marching in Toronto’s Pride Parade.

 

 

 

The stories of the week show girls in sport and physical activity that:

  • Investing in women’s sports at every level, from coaching to advanced research, creates lasting change and helps move us closer to where girls and women in sport deserve to be. 
  • Visibility and celebration matter. When sports teams embrace inclusion and Pride, they not only support important communities but also model what inclusive, values-driven leadership looks like for girls watching.
  • There’s power in being brave and resilient, especially when the outcome doesn’t go as planned. Faith’s story shows that investing in women’s sports is worthwhile regardless of results. Her resilience makes her relatable and inspiring to girls everywhere. 
  • Sport looks different for every girl. From soccer and baseball to dance to rugby, community-led events help girls discover where they belong. Making these opportunities fun, welcoming, and responsive to how girls uniquely experience sport is key to keeping them involved. 

 

 

Kaitlyn’s Sport Stories Recap are written by Kaitlyn Lehbert, a passionate and driven sport advocate for girls and women. Kaitlyn holds her Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Brock University. Learn more about Kaitlyn by clicking here!

Have a sport story you want to share? Contact info@girlsforward.ca and it may get featured in Kaitlyn’s next feature.

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