With 60 years of athletic history, Brock University has celebrated countless achievements and memorable moments. Among these, a significant milestone is the recognition of Helen Henderson as the university’s first Female Athlete of the Year in 1972-1973, honouring her remarkable contributions to the women’s basketball team, volleyball team and rowing team.
During her time, Henderson played for the women’s team, which was not yet part of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) tournaments, underscoring the lack of recognition for women in sports. Notably, Brock University did not establish a Female Athlete of the Year award until the 1972-1973 season, while the men’s team had been recognizing its Male Athlete of the Year since 1968-1969, just a few years after the university was founded in 1964.
Henderson’s award was a significant moment for the Badger community, showcasing the talents of a woman who dedicated herself to Brock athletics. Women’s teams faced such neglect that they often had to recruit high-school girls for scrimmages, a stark contrast to the men’s teams, which did not experience similar challenges. Henderson’s experiences shed light on the struggles women faced in the world of sports at that time. In a conversation with Brock University Athletics she said that “[the importance of a female role-model] provides young women with examples of alternative avenues in the sports world.”
On the court Henderson served as an inspiration for young women, maintaining her influential role in women’s sports by securing her first coaching position immediately after graduating from university. “I was able to get a teaching job and start coaching right out of university. Being involved in athletics at Brock provided all these pathways for me to gain a reputation in the community,” said Henderson.
Henderson became a secondary school teacher while also dedicating 33 years to coaching with the District School Board of Niagara. She also served as an assistant coach for Dalhousie University’s women’s team for three years. Now retired, Henderson took on the role of Indoor Sports Lead for wrestling, lacrosse and volleyball for the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games.
Over the years, Henderson has observed a significant evolution and positive advancement in women’s sports since her time on the court. Reflecting on her own experiences, she recognized that her opportunities were limited by the norms of her era. Witnessing this transformation has been a rewarding journey for her.
“Sports have been my whole life,” said Henderson in an interview with The Brock News. “I’ve seen females transcend various sports networks, females who’ve broken the barrier in the men’s world. They are refereeing at the Super Bowl or coaching in NBA games,” she said. “This gives girls an outlet. They might think, ‘if I don’t make the national team or go pro, I could be a colour commentator, a referee or coach at a high level.’ Today, more than ever, we are witnessing history.”
In her interview, she reflected on the evolution within the Badger community following the launch of the Women in Sport Group, stating, “I think that’s an admirable endeavour to help motivate young women and get them to think outside the box. If we had something like that in our time, it would have given female student-athletes something to aspire to.”
As we honour Helen Henderson’s legacy as Brock University’s first Female Athlete of the Year, it’s clear that her influence on the next generation of female athletes is profound. The evolution of women’s sports at Brock stands as a testament to the hard work and dedication of legends like Henderson who forged a path for future female athletes to dream bigger and strive for greater heights.
As we look ahead it’s crucial to sustain this momentum ensuring that female student-athletes are not only recognized but celebrated. With each new milestone, we honour the women who have come before us and inspire the women who will follow.