By Jacqueline Simoneau
I love all the sports that I’m doing, but how do I pick the right one for me?
This is the question I often get asked when I speak at schools. Whether it is at elementary schools or high schools, students of all ages aspire to be on the road to the Olympics one day. They just do not know the sport that would be best for them.
In an ideal world, the sport which caters to your body type should give you the best chance to be an Olympic hopeful. I always recommend the student-athletes who ask these types of questions to take part in RBC Training Ground.
RBC Training Ground is something that I wish I was around when I was younger. Taking part in RBC Training Ground would have perhaps changed my mind on what sport I picked when I was younger. I am currently an Olympic synchronized swimmer, however I am not naturally built to be one. Many strengths that a synchronized swimmer needs to have, I do not have. Nonetheless, I am able to compensate in other areas which has still allowed me to reach the Olympic level. However, there is still a small thought in the back of mind wondering what would have happened if my strengths were identified and matched with a sport. Having RBC Training Ground identifying the next generation of athletes strengths and giving them guidance essentially raises Canada’s level in sport as a whole.
When student-athletes ask me what sport they should do, this is an indicator that their strengths have not been evaluated. With RBC Training Ground coming across the country yearly, the next generation of Olympians will be able to identify their strengths and will be able to have more guidance towards answering their questions. These students-athletes will become Canada’s future Olympians, and what a better way to start than with RBC Training Ground!
