Who We Are
Northern Athletics Pathways exists to expand access to track and field opportunities and resources for athletes across Northern and rural Ontario. We aim to connect athletes with the resources, information, and pathways they need to grow, compete, and succeed in their sport—regardless of where they live. This involves course guides on athlete nutrition, sports psychology, and at-home workouts, along with Ontario-based meet and club information.
What we do
Athletes in Northern and rural communities of Ontario, often have to travel long distances, face higher costs, and have limited access to consistent training environments. These barriers can make it more difficult for athletes to develop, gain exposure, and reach their full potential. While talent exists across the province, access to opportunity is not always equal. True North Athletics Pathways works to reduce gaps by providing accessible information, resources, and support for athletes and communities.
We aim to:
share directories of track and field clubs, coaches, and training facilities across Ontario
provide athlete resource guides on sports nutrition, performance psychology, and at-home training
increase awareness of competition opportunities and pathways
support access to funding and travel opportunities
advocate for increased track and field development in Northern communities
Meet the Founder
Being a track and field athlete in Northern Ontario is a journey I went through myself being from Wawa Ontario Canada. I entered the sport of track and field in elementary school as a part of gym class and quickly realized my natural abilities. At this stage it was just for fun but as I progressed into grade 8, a passion and curiosity grew inside of me. However, growing up in Northern Ontario meant that opportunities were limited. My high school did not have a track and field team, so continued involvement in the sport required finding alternative ways to compete. With the support of my dad, we began researching meets across Ontario so I could gain experience and continue developing as an athlete.
At these early competitions, I felt lost and out of place. Athletes from Southern Ontario all had their own teams and set warm ups while I didn’t know warm ups were a thing. I observed and learned from other athletes and coaches, and it was through this environment that I met a coach who would have a lasting impact on my development—Chris Timm, formerly of Laurel Creek Track Club in Waterloo, Ontario. He took me in and became my coach throughout high school, playing a key role in guiding my progression in the sport.
Because of the distance from my home in Wawa, Ontario, training required significant commitment and sacrifice. My dad would regularly drive me over 12 hours to the Toronto area so I could train and compete. During the summers, I would stay with relatives in Guelph Ontario to continue training consistently and participate in higher-level competitions across the province.
Through this journey, I was able to compete at the provincial and national level and went on to win OFSAA twice as well as placing second at the Royal Canadian Legion Track & Field Nationals. My Grade 11 season was disrupted by COVID-19, which required me to train fully independently and figure out ways to continue training with the resources I had around home. Thanks to the incredibly supportive community I had, I was able to borrow my elementary school’s high jump equipment in our local helicopter hanger. At-home circuits became my norm and helped sustain my strength and endurance. Eventually, I was recruited to compete at the NCAA Division I level with a full athletic scholarship to the University of Idaho.
This experience has shaped the foundation of Northern Athletics Pathways. It represents the reality of many athletes in Northern and rural Ontario who have talent and dedication but limited access to opportunity. My goal is to help bridge that gap so that geography is no longer a barrier to reaching one’s potential in track and field.
