Name: Catherine Ward
Sport: Hockey
Hometown: Montreal, QC
Nickname: Wardo
Favourite Sports Memory: Winning Olympic Gold on home soil in Vancouver
How you got involved in your sport: Both my father and brother played hockey, so I started skating at a young age and played with them on outdoor rinks. I also spent a lot of time in hockey rinks and my passion just grew from there.
The moment you knew you wanted to represent Canada:Watching the National Women’s Team at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. I was old enough to understand the game better and was amazed at how the Canadians played through so much adversity. Also, seeing their smiles and tears of joy just made me think, “I want to do that one day!”
Favourite Quote: “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
CAN Fund Testimonial: The support CAN Fund provides to athletes means so much. It really helps us focus on becoming the best athletes we can be in order to achieve all our dreams and goals. The devotion and passion they show in helping athletes make such a difference. We have access to resources we would not necessarily have in order to be the best prepared we can be. Often, at the international level, small details add up and end up being the difference makers.
Best Result: 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist
Share one valuable tool that you use on a daily basis that helps you to be the best athlete you can be:Keeping your integrity no matter what. I think especially playing a team sport, it goes a long way with your teammates. It also allows me to have no regrets and be proud of everything I have accomplished.
Who is one person in your life that has impacted your career and what was it that they taught you? I would have to say my parents. They have always supported me and been there for me through the good and bad times. They have showed me how important integrity is in all aspects of life and how important it is to not only focus on my own improvements, but also on trying to make others better around me.
Have you read any articles or books or watched any videos or movies recently that really inspired you: Avideo about Conner and Cayden Long, who are bothers. Despite the fact that Cayden had cerebral palsy, it hasn’t stopped him from competing in triathlons with his older brother Conner. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_Lax4zFFoA
Fun Facts: Before every game with the National Team, some of us play a soccer game QC vs ON, which is most often won by QC… We like to make the Ontario players dance, especially the goalie!
