“Sometimes I don’t always feel confident; I doubt my abilities because of society’s judgement of women in sports” – Jillian Vickery

Jillian Vickery is a rugby player for the Kent Havoc and Ontario Junior Blues.

Here is her message for International Women’s Day:

“Being a female athlete isn’t always easy. Female teams don’t always get the best court or field times, our stands are often empty and we are often underfunded. As a strong female athlete you can still feel like you aren’t as good as other athletes. Sometimes I don’t always feel confident; I doubt my abilities because of society’s judgement of women in sports. But you should never let anyone tell you you aren’t good enough or let anyone’s opinion be more important than your own self worth. Sports have taught me the value of a good attitude and strong sportsmanship and a strong work ethic. My advice to all athletes would be to take care of yourself and your mental and physical health. Persevere, work hard and use obstacles as a platform to jump to new heights.“