February in Review

Saskatoon – Huskies Women of Influence Breakfast 

On February 11, I had the incredible honour of being the keynote speaker at the Huskies Women of Influence Breakfast in Saskatoon. Despite it being a brisk -30°C morning, over 800 people gathered for this inspiring annual event. I shared my journey growing up in Saskatchewan, dreaming of one day playing for the University of Saskatchewan, and how those early aspirations eventually led me to the Olympic stage.

As a young athlete, I idolized the University of Saskatchewan’s Women’s Basketball and Volleyball teams. I vividly remember attending Junior Huskies programs and watching their games with wide eyes and big dreams. Those women were my heroes- they made the dream feel tangible. To now stand on that stage and speak from the perspective of an Olympian was deeply emotional and full circle.

In my speech, I talked about the power of representation and how seeing someone like you on the court can plant the seed for a dream. I reflected on the importance of community, the value of persistence, and how every coach, teacher, and supporter played a role in shaping my path. I also spoke about the lessons I’ve learned through sport- resilience, leadership, failure, growth- and how they continue to serve me beyond the game.

It was also a heartwarming opportunity to reconnect with so many familiar faces: childhood coaches, former teammates, teachers, and colleagues. The event successfully raised over $100,000 for scholarships for women’s sports teams at the U of S, helping to support the next generation of Huskies. It was an unforgettable morning of community, gratitude, and inspiration.

Singapore – 3x3 Tournament with the Barcelona Panthers 

Shortly after the Huskies Breakfast, I packed my bags and flew from Saskatoon to Vancouver, followed by a 17-hour journey to Singapore to join the Barcelona Panthers- a private 3x3 club team- for a tournament. While my Canadian teammates Kacie Bosch and Saicha Grant-Allen had competed in an earlier leg of the tour in Manila, I chose to stay in Canada a bit longer to be present at the Huskies event and spend some extra time with Poppy.

Despite the long flight, I managed to get a good rest and hit the ground running. On our first day, Kacie and I went on a hunt for the best coffee in Singapore. We wandered through vibrant street markets and eventually made our way to the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the National Orchid Garden. It felt surreal to move from the towering skyscrapers of the city to a peaceful green oasis- it was exactly the grounding I needed after so much travel.

The next day, our team explored the Marina Bay area. We rented bikes and cycled along the water, stopping by the famous Supertree Grove. The city was spotless, safe, and had so much energy. The weather hovered around 31°C and was humid.

On the court, we built strong chemistry and went undefeated in the round robin. Unfortunately, just three minutes into the quarterfinal, I rolled my right ankle after stepping on Saicha’s foot. It was the first time I’d injured that ankle, and I was initially worried. But after seeing the tournament physio, I was relieved to learn that structurally everything was okay- the pain was from bone-on-bone impact. He guided me through exercises to rebuild balance and confidence, and remarkably, I was able to return for the semifinal and final games.

We made it to the championship game where we faced Thailand’s National Team. They came out strong, sinking some early two-pointers and setting the tone. We fell short in the final and took home second place. Although I was grateful to be back on the court, much of my mental focus went toward protecting my ankle, which impacted my ability to play freely.

What I learned: in Asia, 3x3 tournaments often come in a series, offering athletes the opportunity to compete multiple times in different cities. It’s such a cool concept and one I’d love to be a part of again in the future.

Bali – Rest, Recharge & Adventure 

After the tournament, Kacie and I flew to Bali for a short but unforgettable trip. Kacie and I rented a “villa” (house) in Seminyak, tucked down narrow, winding roads lined with local vendors. As we sat by our pool on the first night, bats swooped by our heads- setting the tone for an adventure-filled stay!

Our first full day was about total relaxation. After a stroll through our neighborhood, brunch, and a walk to the beach, we indulged in a 3-hour spa treatment (deep tissue massage, body scrub, and facial) for just $90 CAD. 

On our second day, we shifted gears into full tourist mode. After brunch, we made the 90-minute trip to Ubud to explore the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Hundreds of monkeys roamed freely, and one even walked across my lap! From there, we visited the Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) Temple and cooled off at Tegenungan Waterfall.

On our final day, after checking out of our villa, we wandered through town, bartered for some souvenirs (including a few special things for Poppy), before heading to the airport.

My journey home took me through Brisbane, Australia, where I had a six-hour layover before boarding a 13-hour flight back to Canada. It was long, but I had time to reflect on just how special the experience was.