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Storytelling Series:
She's Part of the Game

Storytelling Series: She's Part of the Game is a Women's History Month storytelling and education program designed to help girls and young women see themselves reflected in football while introducing new audiences to the people, traditions, and experiences that make the game uniquely Canadian.

Football is more than a game. It is a community. Through athletes, performers, fans and future participants, She's Part of the Game explores the many ways girls and young women can see themselves in the game. Whether you are a student, educator, or sport enthusiast, you will leave feeling inspired by the women who continue to shape the landscape of Canadian football.

What's included?

Short Videos
Live Panel Discussion
Lesson Plan
Digital Storytelling

Grades

4-9

Subjects

English Language Arts, Physical Education, Social Studies, Wellness

Outcomes

Confidence and goal-setting; inclusion and belonging; perseverance through challenge; mentorship and leadership; community pride

Panel Discussion

Hosted by Kate Beirness

Themes to Expect:

Belonging and identity
Women and girls in Canadian football
Canadian football culture and Grey Cup traditions
The rise of flag football and the Olympic milestone
Youth agency, leadership, and change

Panel Members

Ayden Filipchuk

Calgary Stampeders Outriders

Josie F.

Flag Football Athlete

Samantha Hopkins

Canada National Flag Football Team

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Connect with us

Kate Beirness

Bio

Panel Discussion

Kate Beirness is a trailblazing Canadian sports broadcaster best known for her work on TSN’s SportsCentre. She began her career with the network anchoring weekend editions alongside Bryan Mudryk, eventually moving into prominent late-night and morning shows with Darren Dutchyshen. Her versatility has also made her a familiar face in coverage of the CFL, Toronto Raptors, and NCAA March Madness. Beyond the broadcast studio, Kate is a passionate advocate for female leadership. She founded the Her Mark Summit, an annual event that inspires and empowers young women across Canada to pursue leadership roles in sport and beyond.

Michelle Cameron‑Coulter

Bio

Panel Discussion

The combination of athletic ability, precise performance, and communication are the minimum requirements for elite competition in a sport such as synchronized (now artistic) swimming. Michelle Cameron Coulter took up competitive synchronized swimming in 1976 with her hometown club, the Calgary Aquabelles, under the tutelage of Hall of Fame coach Debbie Muir.

In 1985, Debbie paired Michelle with Carolyn Waldo, and the duo went on to win Gold Medals at nearly every major competition they entered, including the 1986 Commonwealth Games, the 1986 World Championships, and the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. With her win in Seoul, Michelle became the first Albertan to win an Olympic Gold Medal.

Retiring from competition after her Olympic triumph, Michelle has shared her expertise as a motivational speaker, and has been involved with numerous charities. She currently serves as the chair of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee.

Dr. Guylaine Demers

Bio

Panel Discussion

An accomplished researcher, educator, and activist, Dr. Guylaine Demers has become a driving force for gender equity in sports across Canada and around the world.

Often working as a volunteer, she has served as Chair of the Gender Equity Task Force for the Sports Ministry of Canada, has been a dedicated contributor to the Women in Coaching program with the Coaching Association of Canada for over two decades, and is the founder of the seminal 2015 Conversation Women and Sport Conference.

A professor at Laval University, Guylaine also helped to establish Lab PROFEMS in Québec, dedicated to advancing women in sport. Recipient of the International Olympic Committee’s Women and Sport Award for the Americas in 2020, her achievements as a global catalyst for change include a ground-breaking program to develop female coaches and administrators for the Qatar Women’s Sport Committee.

Fueled by decades of dedicated advocacy and scholarship, she continues to make sports a more equitable, safe and welcoming place for everyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

Ayden Filipchuk

Ayden Filipchuk is an exceptional teammate on the Stampeders Outriders and a committed contributor to her community.

Through her role on the Outriders, Ayden has taken part in a number of community-driven initiatives. From distributing harm-reduction supplies to those in need, to participating in tree planting and supporting sustainable reforestation initiatives, Ayden is committed to using her platform to create meaningful change. Her compassion is equally evident through her participation in the Alberta Children’s Hospital Every Yard Counts Program, where she helps bring joy and encouragement to children facing difficult circumstances.

Within the dance community, Ayden has embraced opportunities that include mentorship through the Outriders development programming. These specific programs expose young dancers to the world of professional cheer in the Canadian Football League, encouraging the next generation to understand the opportunities available to them once they graduate.

Josie F.

Josie is a young athlete who has been playing flag football since 2025. She is a quarterback and wide receiver who is noted for her athleticism and positive attitude from her coaches.

She was interested in the sport for a couple of years before she was signed up in the summer of 2025. She and her team made it to regionals, and though they didn't win, Josie found a passion for flag football. This Fall, she joined 2 leagues, winning the championship with one team in an undefeated 8-0 season.

Josie is now taking the off season to train, focusing on her strength, power, and flag skills.

Samantha Hopkins

Samantha Hopkins is a PhD student at Western University and a defensive back for Canada's world champion national women's flag football team. She has played the sport for eight years, and helped Canada win the 2026 Flag Football World Championship.

Born in Calgary, Samantha moved to Ontario in 2018 to attend Western University. There, she played in the Ontario Women's Intercollegiate Football Association (OWIFA), where she was named Western's defensive MVP from 2021-2025. In 2025, Samantha was named the OWIFA most valuable player, and she was first selected to play for Team Canada.

In August, Samantha travelled to Dusseldorf, Germany with Canada for the 2026 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) World Championships. Canada overcame world No.1 Mexico in the semi-finals, then defeated the defending world champions United States in the finals. Canada also qualified for the 2028 Olympic Games, where flag football will be featured for the first time ever.

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.