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Hall of Famers on Tour

Our education presentations connect students with Hall of Famers and guest speakers through an interactive, Q&A-style storytelling program. Using Padlet, students can submit their questions in real-time as athletes share their journeys to the top and make an impact beyond their wins. These sessions equip youth with critical life skills, lessons and tools for success, reinforcing that sport teaches more than sport.

Up next: Cindy Klassen Q&A - May 30th, 2025

Upcoming Speakers

CINDY KLASSEN

Speed Skating

Hall of Famer Roster

Vicki Keith

Marathon Swimming

Gareth Rees

Rugby

Dr. Sandra Kirby

Rowing

CINDY KLASSEN

Speed Skating

Want the opportunity to connect to your students directly with a Hall of Famer?

Be sure to register for our marquee programs, where one lucky school will be chosen to join a Zoom call and interact directly with the Hall of Famer throughout the presentation, making for an unforgettable experience.

What's Included?

Presentations
Q&A Sessions
Educational Activities
Lesson Plans
Artefact Exploration

Grades

3-12

Themes

Overcoming Challenges, Volunteerism, Sportsmanship, Fair Play, Goal Setting, Life Lessons, Role Models, Social-Emotional Learning

Length

45 - 60 mins

Lesson Plans

free

Hall of Famers on Tour 2025 - Education Package

Curricular Connections

free

Alberta Curriculum

British Columbia Curriculum

Manitoba Curriculum

Northwest Territories Curriculum

Nova Scotia Curriculum

Nunavut Curriculum

Ontario Curriculum

Saskatchewan Curriculum

Yukon Curriculum

Disclaimer

When you register for a program, you'll automatically receive a Beyond the Win membership, giving you access to exclusive free content, valuable resources, and future educational programs.

Inspiring wins for sport + life.

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Vicki Keith

Summary

Bio

Sport

Register Now!

Induction year: 2019
Induction category: Athlete

Dive into the inspiring journey of Vicki Keith! An Order of Sport recipient and Hall of Famer, Vicki has made waves in marathon swimming, crossing some of the toughest bodies of water and setting 16 world records! Despite early challenges in her athletic journey, Vicki transformed her passion for swimming into an extraordinary career, raising over $1 million to support sports programs for children with physical disabilities. Now a swim coach for youth with physical disabilities and a mentor for coaches across the country, Vicki inspires young athletes to discover their own strength and demonstrates that true champions lift those around them up!

PRESENTATION NAME

From Horse to Butterfly

RECOMMENDED GRADES

3 - 8 (Open for K-12)

THEMES

Perseverance; Goal-Setting; Overcoming Challenges; Community Service / Active Citizenship; Para Sport; Artefacts as Media Texts; Sense of Belonging; Inclusion; Teamwork; Positive Self-Talk; Role Models

DESCRIPTION

Imagine standing at the edge of a freezing lake, knowing you are about to swim across it while facing challenges like biting cold water, raging waves, and even the possibility of sharks lurking beneath the surface. That’s the incredible journey of Hall of Famer Vicki Keith, the first person to swim across all five Great Lakes! She didn’t always excel in sports and was often picked last for teams. But she didn’t let that stop her. Instead, she set ambitious goals and trained hard, pushing through intense hardships, including swimming for 129 hours and 45 minutes straight in a pool. With each record-breaking swim, Vicki learned the power of perseverance and teamwork. She has raised over $1 million to support athletic opportunities for children with physical disabilities, demonstrating her belief that everyone deserves a sense of belonging in sports. Vicki also founded the YMCA Penguins aquatics program, Canada’s largest Para swim team, helping young athletes build confidence and achieve their dreams. Now, she shares her inspiring story, encouraging students to overcome challenges of their own and become role models for others, reminding us that together, we can all achieve greatness!

Marathon Swimming

Marathon swimming is a nonstop, unassisted open water swim of 10 KM or longer.

Dr. Sandra Kirby

Summary

Bio

Sport

Register Now!

Induction year: 2018
Induction category: Builder

Meet Dr. Sandra Kirby—Olympian, Order of Sport Recipient, and Hall of Famer, and passionate advocate for equality and safe sport. Dr. Kirby has dedicated her life to building stronger communities through sport. With inspiring stories from her time at the Youth Olympic Games, where she worked to ensure fair play and promote teamwork, Dr. Kirby shows students how athletes can become role models and community leaders. Her work on topics like inclusion and volunteerism shows kids how sports can be a powerful tool for making a difference!

PRESENTATION NAME

Youth Olympic Games

RECOMMENDED GRADES

3 - 8 (Open for K-12)

THEMES

Equality; Safe Sport; Community Service / Active Citizenship; Volunteerism; Sense of Belonging; Sportsmanship; Role Models

DESCRIPTION

What if the next generation of athletes, role models, and community leaders could be sitting right in your classroom? Hall of Famer, Olympian, author, and advocate—Dr. Kirby, brings her passion for community building, equality, and volunteerism to life as she shares her experience as a Chaperone and Anti-Doping Crew member at the Youth Olympic Games. Her story highlights the importance of fostering a sense of belonging, promoting safe sport, and encouraging active citizenship. Dr. Kirby’s commitment to volunteerism and sportsmanship will inspire the next generation of athletes, role models, and community leaders, helping students see the power of sport in shaping stronger, more connected communities.

Rowing

Rowing is the propelling of a boat using a fixed oar as a lever. In modern sports, rowers race against each other as individuals or in crews of two, four or eight.

Gareth Rees

Summary

Bio

Sport

Register Now!

Induction year: 2014
Induction category: Athlete

Meet Gareth Rees, a rugby superstar, Order of Sport Recipient, and Hall of Famer who has made a tremendous impact on and off the field! At just 19, he became the youngest player ever selected for an All-World Rugby XV and proudly represented Canada in four consecutive Rugby World Cups, captaining the team 25 times!. After retiring, Gareth turned his passion for rugby into a mission to inspire the next generation as the National Program Manager at Rugby Canada. He introduces the game to kids of all ages, promoting teamwork, perseverance, and inclusion. Gareth’s journey shows us that being a champion isn’t just about winning; it’s about lifting others up and making a positive impact in our communities!

PRESENTATION NAME
Sport and the Community

RECOMMENDED GRADES
3 - 8 (Open for K-12)

THEMES
Goal-Setting; Overcoming Challenges; Community Service / Active Citizenship; Artefacts as Media Texts; Diverse Worldview/Values; Sport Psychology i.e., Cognitive Reframing and Positive Visualization; Teamwork; Sportsmanship; Role Models

DESCRIPTION
Picture this: it’s the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, and Team Canada is ready for their big moment. Suddenly, a powerful typhoon strikes, leaving the city of Kamaishi in ruins and cancelling their final match. What happens next?

Join Hall of Famer Gareth Rees, a 25-time Captain of the Canadian Rugby Team, as he recounts this unforgettable chapter in rugby history. Rather than dwelling on their disappointment, Gareth and his team chose to give back, diving into the heart of the community to help with recovery efforts.

In this engaging presentation, Gareth illustrates how adversity can spark acts of kindness and active citizenship, reminding us that true champions are defined not just by their victories but by the positive impact they make. With a remarkable career that includes representing Canada in four consecutive Rugby World Cups and an induction into the International Rugby Hall of Fame, Gareth embodies the spirit of teamwork and resilience. This isn’t just a story about rugby; it’s about inspiring the next generation to become leaders in their communities. Book today to discover how sports can unite us and empower us to create lasting change!

RUGBY

Rugby is a contact team sport that is based on running with the oval ball in hand. There are two forms of the game, one being played between two teams of 15 players and the other being played with two teams of 7 players.

Cindy Klassen

Summary

Bio

Sport

Register Now!

Induction year: 2017
Induction category: Athlete

Cindy Klassen’s journey began at the age of two when her dad handed her a homemade hockey stick and skates. As a girl who loved sports, she dreamt of becoming a world-class hockey player. But when she didn’t make the Olympic team, she faced a tough decision. Instead of giving up, she boldly switched to speed skating, where she initially struggled—getting lapped by kids half her age! However, her grit and determination quickly paid off. At the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Cindy captured her first Medal—a bronze in the 3000m. Four years later, she became the first Canadian to win five medals in a single Winter Olympic Games, including a gold in the 1500m and a silver in the Team Pursuit. With six Olympic medals and 115 international accolades under her belt, she still holds the world record in the 3000m! Beyond her remarkable achievements, Cindy is passionate about empowering others and inspiring the next generation to chase their dreams, no matter the obstacles they encounter..

PRESENTATION NAME
With All Your Heart

RECOMMENDED GRADES
3 - 8 (Open for K-12)

THEMES
Perseverance; Goal-Setting; Overcoming Challenges; Community Service / Active Citizenship; Artefacts as Media Texts; Positive Self-Talk; Role Models

DESCRIPTION
Have you ever had a dream slip through your fingers, only to discover a new and even more amazing path? That’s the incredible journey of Cindy Klassen, who started out as a young girl in Winnipeg with dreams of being a star hockey player. When she faced the heartbreak of not making the Olympic hockey team, she didn’t let that stop her! Instead, Cindy took a leap of faith into the world of speed skating, where she faced challenges head-on—from getting lapped by younger competitors to becoming a trailblazer in the sport. Join Cindy as she shares her inspiring story of perseverance, goal setting, and the power of positive self-talk. Learn how she transformed setbacks into success, shattering records and becoming one of Canada’s most decorated Olympians. Book now to be inspired by her journey and discover how resilience can lead to incredible achievements!

SPEED SKATING

Speed skating is a competitive form of ice skating on either long or short ice tracks. Athletes use special skates and compete solo or in teams of two to four.

Submit your application to be part of Canada's Sports Hall of Fame's Educator Advisory Committee and help shape meaningful sport education programs that inspire and engage students across Canada.

Jennifer Jones

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Summary

Bio

Sport

Watch Now!

Jennifer Jones is one of Canada’s most accomplished curlers, with an Olympic Gold Medal, two world championships, and six national titles. She made Olympic history on multiple occasions, first in 2014, by leading her team to an undefeated Olympic gold in Sochi, and in 2022, when she returned to the Olympic Games and became Canada’s oldest female Winter Olympian. Jennifer has 16 Tournament of Hearts appearances, holds the record for most career wins at the Canadian women’s championship, and has claimed nine Grand Slam titles, including six Players’ Championships women’s titles.

Beyond her success on the ice, Jennifer is a dedicated advocate for gender equity in sports. She has spoken out about funding disparities in women’s athletics, highlighting the need for increased sponsorship and investment. A strong proponent of pay equity in curling, she celebrated Curling Canada’s 2019 decision to equalize prize money for men’s and women’s championships. As a mother of two daughters, she continues to push for equal opportunities for future generations of female athletes.

Now, in addition to her remarkable career, Jennifer Jones is coaching Rachel Homan’s team at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, imparting her vast experience and leadership to the next generation of curlers.

RECOMMENDED GRADES
4-12

SUBJECTS
Social Studies, Health & Life Skills, Physical & Health Education

DESCRIPTION
Join Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame for a special International Women's Day program featuring Olympic champion Jennifer Jones! This inspiring event will highlight Jennifer’s journey in sport and leadership, with a strong focus on audience-driven Q&A. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with one of Canada’s most accomplished athletes!

CURLING

Curling is a sport in which players slide stones on a sheet of ice toward a target area that is segmented into four concentric circles.

Description

Guiding Questions

Sport

Drag to resize

A Racing Bib from the 2020 Youth Olympic Game in Lausanne, Switzerland. It was worn by a racer in a skiing event.

Courtesy of Order of Sport collection, Canadian Museum of History.

1. What do you see (physical properties)?
2. Consider analyzing materials (i.e., is it wood, stone, plastic, etc.?)

3. What is special or distinctive about the artefact?
4. Are there any inscriptions (i.e., are there any markings that are printed, stamped, engraved)?
5. What symbolism do you see?
6. How is the object oriented? (i.e., Does it have a presumed front, back, bottom, or top?)
7. What features do you think it might share with similar objects?
8. Does the object prompt some kind of action or performance?
9. What is this artefact?
10. What stories or information do you think it tells?

Rowing

Rowing is the propelling of a boat using a fixed oar as a lever. In modern sports, rowers race against each other as individuals or in crews of two, four or eight.

Description

Guiding Questions

Sport

Drag to resize

A volunteer vest given to Dr. Kirby for her work at the 2020 Youth Olympic Winter Games.

Courtesy of Order of Sport collection, Canadian Museum of History.

1. What do you see (physical properties)?
2. Consider analyzing materials (i.e., is it wood, stone, plastic, etc.?)

Rowing

Rowing is the propelling of a boat using a fixed oar as a lever. In modern sports, rowers race against each other as individuals or in crews of two, four or eight.

Description

Guiding Questions

Sport

Drag to resize

A volunteer ID card given to Dr. Kirby as a way to identify as a volunteer for the event. On the card, it lists her specific volunteer responsibilities.

Courtesy of Order of Sport collection, Canadian Museum of History.

1. What do you see (physical properties)?
2. Consider analyzing materials (i.e., is it wood, stone, plastic, etc.?)

Rowing

Rowing is the propelling of a boat using a fixed oar as a lever. In modern sports, rowers race against each other as individuals or in crews of two, four or eight.

Hall of Famers on Tour

Upcoming Speakers

Hall of Famer Roster

What's Included?

Grades

Themes

Length

Lesson Plans

Curricular Connections

Disclaimer

Featured links

Connect with us

Vicki Keith

Dr. Sandra Kirby

Gareth Rees

Cindy Klassen

Jennifer Jones