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 Trent Varsity Rower Recognized as 2010/11 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Woman of InfluenceFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Third-year Biology student Maija Robinson to be honoured as top female scholar-athlete Thursday, February 3, 2010, Peterborough In recognition of all of her achievements and contributions both on and off the water, Trent University varsity rower Maija Robinson has been selected as one of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) 2010/11 Women of Influence, an award that honours female student-athletes who have excelled in their chosen sports, fields of study and community involvement. Commenting on the honour, the Kimberley, Ontario native says, “I am honoured to be named a 2011 Woman of Influence. I am proud to represent Trent University, but more so I hope that I can represent many other women of influence in my community (Trent Rowing and beyond) whose actions inspire myself and others.” As a recipient of the prestigious award, Ms. Robinson has been invited to attend the eighth annual Women of Influence luncheon in Toronto on March 2, 2011 where athletes from 19 post-secondary institutions across Ontario will be profiled at the ceremony. Special guest speaker will be world-famous tennis star, Venus Williams. Ms. Robinson’s coach and nominator, Jacqui Cook, will attend the awards luncheon on her behalf as she will be leaving at the end of February to spend a semester at the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies in Israel as part of an international program which brings students from the Middle East, North America and Europe together to address trans-border environmental issues. “I nominated Maija because she is both an exceptional scholar and athlete,” says Ms. Cook, the new head coach of the Trent and Peterborough Rowing Clubs, adding, “As an athlete, she has just started to tap into her potential and it's exciting to see her steadily get faster. I think she'll surprise a few people, maybe even herself next year. Most of all, Maija is a positive role model for her peers and her community. Even with her busy schedule she coaches, and volunteers at the Food Bank and Community Gardens. Maija is a well-rounded athlete and person and I couldn't think of a woman more deserving of this honour.” Currently in her third year at Trent, Ms. Robinson is a Biology major. Having never tried the sport of rowing before coming to the University, she started out in the novice rowing program in her first year. She spent the following summer training at the Peterborough Rowing Club and made the varsity team in her second year. As a member of the Trent University Rowing Club (TURC), Ms. Robinson has gained a wealth of experience off the water and in the community. In the fall of 2010, she helped organize a Thanksgiving food drive, in which the club pledged to raise the equivalent weight of the heavy men’s crew in non-perishable food for Kawartha Food Share. The drive was incredibly successful, with the TURC collecting a staggering 2,260 pounds of food – nearly 600 pounds more than their initial goal. She also volunteers as a coach for local high school rowing teams. In recognition of achieving an academic average of 80 per cent or higher while participating in a varsity sport, Ms. Robinson has also been honoured as an Academic All-Canadian for two years. After completing her studies abroad, Ms. Robinson will return to Trent for her final year, during which she looks forward to competing in another rowing season, aiming for gold at provincial and national regattas, before embarking on a future career as a doctor, working in rural or underdeveloped regions and countries. -30- For more information, please contact: |
