Empowering Women In Sport - Lauren Taal-Dion
In the past, female basketball players in Canada had limited opportunities to compete at the highest level of the sport, with the NCAA and WNBA being the only prominent avenues available to them. Although still in its infancy, HoopQueens, a paid professional league in Toronto, is looking to offer more opportunities for elite female basketball players in Canada. While this is a step in the right direction, there is still lots of room for improvement when it comes to professional women’s basketball leagues in Canada.
Lauren Taal-Dian is a Klevr Coach who aims to provide guidance and knowledge to the players on her university team so they have the tools to excel professionally. We interviewed Lauren, who is the Assistant Coach at Mount Ryan University in Calgary, Alberta,regarding her roots in basketball, how her coaching is pushing athletes to be better people and players, and her advice to aspiring athletes.
Everyone in Lauren’s family grew up playing sports. Her mother served as the assistant coach for the women's basketball team at the University of Lethbridge, making the gym feel like a second home to Lauren; however, basketball was not her first sport. As a member of a sports-oriented family, Lauren's parents believed in exposing her to various athletic activities. As a result, she participated in several sports, including swimming, ringette, soccer, gymnastics, track and field, and dance (which she pursued for a decade). However, as Lauren grew older, she developed a particular interest in court sports, such as volleyball and basketball. “I just loved any activity that allowed me to meet new people and move my body. I am so appreciative of my parents who exposed me to so many different opportunities and activities, so I could really experience what I liked and didn't like, which I believe fuelled my passion and allowed me to embrace the sports that I excelled at.” Lauren said.
Throughout her childhood and teen years, Lauren was fortunate to face very few barriers as a young woman in sport. “I know that this is not often the norm.” Lauren mentioned. Growing up in a smaller city in Alberta, the most common barrier had to do with teams for her age group. But, even with these barriers, coaches allowed her to participate in an older age group, with boys teams or they would create teams for my age group so that I could play. “I know that makes me an exception.” Lauren said.
Lauren went on to say that she had great role models growing up from strong female sports personalities that provided opportunities for girls in our community to men that supported women in sport, and women in general. “I know that this is not the norm and that I was super fortunate to have had the opportunities that I had, and that is part of the reason that I choose to coach today. I feel like I have a responsibility to give back to females in sports (specifically basketball) by providing guidance and coaching, similar to those opportunities that were given to me.” Lauren acknowledged.
By the age of 14, girls are twice as likely to drop out of sport as boys which is why creating an empowering and inclusive space for young female athletes is crucial to keep them in sport. After retiring from playing basketball at the university level, Lauren returned as a coach in 2021. Working with the team at MRU, Lauren tries to focus on giving athletes the perspective to understand that the lessons that they are learning through basketball are so much bigger than the sport itself. “I know that so many of the lessons they are learning and skills they are developing are transferable into post-athlete life.” Lauren said. By creating an environment where athletes on her team feel safe to speak their minds and opinions and to make mistakes in situations that are controlled and where consequences are not as severe, she builds their confidence both on-and-off the court. “Skills like communication (advocating for yourself), time management, conflict resolution, trial and error, and relationship building are all skills that I have found to be crucial in my life outside of basketball, and I know the confidence I have in having hard conversations came from lessons that I learned as an athlete.” Lauren noted.
Towards the end of our interview, we inquired about the advice that Lauren would offer to aspiring young female athletes or to her younger self. Here is what she shared: “I think the most important piece of advice that I would give a young female athlete would be to try your best. I wholeheartedly believe that one of the most significant factors for my success was trying to be the best version of myself every single day. I was never the most athletic, or quickest athlete on any of my teams, but I worked harder than anyone I knew. I knew that it was one thing I could control, and in every situation that was my goal...to be the hardest-working person in the gym. That also meant that sometimes I would make mistakes, and I know now that those experiences allowed me to learn and grow. I think one of the biggest internal struggles with youth athletes, especially if they are in situations that might have barriers, is the need or desire to fit in and in youth sports, making mistakes and trying are not "cool" behaviours. I know that it can be hard to be uncomfortable in situations like that, but if you can have the courage to always try your best, I promise you the results will be worth it.”
Follow Lindsay on Instagram and Klevr - @laurentaaldion