Name: Ghislaine Landry
CAN Fund Recipient Since: 2015
Sport: Rugby 7s
Best Result:
2nd World Series
2nd World Cup
2015 Pan Am Games Gold Medalist
Hometown: Toronto, ON
On The National Team Since: 2011
How does being a CAN Fund Recipient make a difference for you?
Being an amateur athlete in Canada is a dream but it does take a financial toll. Having the support of CAN Fund is an extra weight off my shoulders to help me focus all my resources on training and competing.
Think of someone who has impacted your life. Share 3 words on who they are to you.
Sandro Fiorino – Honest Supportive, Guidance
and
John Tait – Honest, Leadership, Forward-Thinking
Sandro believed in me when I was 16. Now he is our Assistant Coach for the National Team so it’s been special to share the journey with him. John gave me my first real chance with the Sr. National Team and I will be forever grateful to him for that.
What is the biggest hurdle you have overcome to get to where you are today?
A lack of trust in National coaches (before John) that I was able (physical enough, big enough, skilled enough) to play at the senior international level.
Share 3 words to describe what CAN Fund is to you:
Support, Belief, Future
What is the best part about representing Canada?
Singing the National Anthem before big games. We only do that before Finals so to be there is a reason in itself to be proud. But between the goose bumps, the girls embraced standing shoulder to shoulder and the fans singing in support, it’s a proud and honest moment just before kickoff.
How did you get involved in your sport?
I started playing rugby in grade 9 at my high school. It was a pretty unknown sport back then, but it was popular at Lawrence Park C.I. in Toronto. I was captivated pretty quickly and played high school, club and provincial rugby within my first year. There weren’t any set pathways to the National Team then, but I played as much rugby as I could and the experience is still paying off.
Share 2-3 things you are grateful for:
-My family for always supporting my sporting career, especially when I was a young kid. My dad would drive me through Toronto rush hour traffic to Aurora 3 times a week for practices and games. It’s things like that I look back on and know played a huge role in my successes now.
-A number of coaches along the way who have left lasting impressions on me and helped make the person and athlete I am today – Mark, Mike, Sandro, John.
-My partner for going through this journey with me. Full time amateur sport is not always pretty and I appreciate her support and understanding through some of the dark days of training.
Biggest lesson you have learned to get to where you are today?
The higher you progress in your sport, the harder it gets. The fitter and stronger you get, doesn’t make it easier, it just means you can push even harder.
What advice would you give to young kids or teenagers about following their dreams?
1.Believe in yourself. Self-belief is one of the hardest things to master, but once you do you’ll be golden no matter what you do.
2. Be ready to work hard. Dreams are not fulfilled sitting on the couch!
3. Stick to the fundamental skills. Sport is about doing the fundamental skills extremely well and under pressure.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Finishing 2nd at the World Cup. Canadian Rugby was never at the forefront of women’s rugby and finishing 2nd put us there as competitors worldwide but also helped grow rugby in Canada.
What do you value most in your friends?
Honesty, simplicity and they add positivity to my world.
What is your favourite quote or words to live by?
“Down this rocky trail I find, the roughest path is in my mind.” – Dan Baker
What is your favourite book?
Sacred Hoops by Phil Jaskson
What is a healthy snack you eat before or after training sessions?
Smoothie: berries, banana, oats, spinach, Greek yoghurt, chia seeds, hemp hearts, protein powder (if I need some extra protein).
Do you have a favourite recipe, what is it?
Homemade pasta sauce: whole tomatoes, tomato paste, onion, garlic (lots!), basil. oregano, salt and pepper. Italian food is best kept simple.
Twitter: @ghis_landry
