Brock alumnus Helen Henderson (BA '75, BPE '76, BEd '76) knows first-hand how female leadership in sport can change one's life.
 
A dual-sport athlete in basketball and volleyball, Henderson had the distinguished honour of being named Brock University's first Female Athlete of the Year in 1973.
 
Henderson said the athletic accolades she garnered while competing in women's sports at Brock, including a short stint in rowing, played a pivotal role in the outcome of her career.
 
"That's why I was able to get a teaching job and start coaching right out of university," Henderson said. "Being involved in athletics at Brock provided all these pathways for me to gain a reputation in the community. It's always nice when we go over to Brock to show my grandkids my name on the wall."
 
Henderson became a secondary school teacher and coach for 33 years with the District School Board of Niagara. She also served as an assistant coach of the women's volleyball team at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia for three seasons during a teacher exchange program.
 
In retirement, Henderson enjoys staying physical active by biking, kayaking, golfing, swimming and walking. She planned her high school's 150^th reunion at Stamford Collegiate, a longtime basketball powerhouse in Niagara Falls.
 
Henderson's love of basketball is still going strong, and is the Toronto Raptors' biggest fan.
 
"I have a brain that just goes, goes, goes all the time, so I can't just sit and do nothing in retirement," she said.
 
Last summer, Henderson served as the Head of the new facility adjacent to Brock's main campus, known as Canada Games Park, during the Niagara 2022 Canada Games.
 
In this volunteer capacity she led a team of people before and during the Games. Henderson was the leader of the teams responsible for protocol, merchandise and ticketing, food and beverage, accessibility, security, French language, medical, transportation, media, equipment, sustainability, volunteer services, technology and essential services.
 
However, her path wasn't without its challenges. She recalled a three-year preparation period, which included the COVID-19 pandemic, that relied heavily on online meetings, acknowledging the frustrations of not being able to meet face-to-face.
 
Helen's connection to sports and her community fueled her dedication. Her involvement in the Canada Games signaled a culmination of her lifelong sport experiences in Niagara.
 
Henderson reflected on how sports influenced her career and her experiences as a student-athlete, coach, and educator, offering a window into the historical context of women's sports development.
 
According to Henderson, the early days of women's sports at Brock were marked by improvisation and determination.
 
"We weren't part of OUA at the time," Henderson recalls, highlighting the informal nature of women's athletics.
 
The scarcity of players led to creative solutions like inviting high school athletes to participate in scrimmages with the Brock women's team.
 
Henderson's journey in sports seamlessly intersected with her career as a physical education teacher. Her experiences as a student-athlete not only cultivated her skills on the court but also equipped her with pedagogical insights that she later imparted to future educators.
 
As a Physical Education Department head, she mentored aspiring high school Phys Ed teacher candidates from Brock's Faculty of Education for 10 years.
 
" I felt like I was giving back and molding the teachers of tomorrow," Henderson reflects on her time teaching future educators. Her dedication to mentoring resonates through her commitment to sharing practical knowledge and experiences.
 
She underscored the significance of role models as they 'provide young women with examples of alternative avenues in the sports world.' She credited her high school coach, Marg Newton, with playing a pivotal role in her career trajectory.
 
"The foundational skills I learned from Mrs. Newton influenced my coaching philosophy and approach when coaching my students," she said.
 
Henderson recognizes the trickle-down effect of coaching philosophy from Newton to her and then to the students she coached, emphasizing the value of dedication and discipline.
 
"Marg Newton played a huge role in my life. I held Marg in high regard, and that really shaped me as a coach and educator," she said.
 
Henderson has watched the sports landscape evolve over the years and is enthusiastic about women's future in sports with various emerging role models.
 
"We've made a ton of progress over the years, but there's still a long way to go," Henderson said. "In contrast to when I was growing up, women's sports have more funding, extended seasons, and greater exposure. Today, we are witnessing and identity forging as the landscape is paving the way for the empowerment of future generations of female athletes."