As a lifelong athlete and advocate for inclusive sport, Bronwyn Corrigan, Artsci’13, is determined to help level the playing field for others. Originally from Waterloo, Ont., the former Golden Gael rugby star is now based in New Zealand, where she’s pursuing a PhD on women in parasport. Alumna Amanda Sage, Artsci’01, connected with Corrigan to discuss her debut book, Canada’s ABCs of Who I Can Be: 26 Olympians, Paralympians, and Special Olympians you should know, which celebrates female and non-binary athletes, highlighting the variety of ways in which people from all backgrounds can excel at sport.
You were inspired to write Canada’s ABCs of Who I Can Be after discovering a similar book by Chloe Dalton about Australian athletes. How did you select the athletes featured in your book?
It was tough. There were athletes I immediately knew I wanted to include, but I recognized that they were just one small piece of a very large network of sports, identities, and backgrounds that I wanted to represent. I researched athletes and sports I wasn’t familiar with and tried to ensure I had a diverse group of subjects so that all readers could find athletes they might resonate with, while also learning about athletes, and sports, new to them.
What do you hope readers will take from your book, particularly as all eyes are on the 2026 Winter Olympics? Are there any niche sports from the book that readers can look for at the Games?
I hope my book will inspire readers to discover and explore different sports and celebrate a wider range of athletes. There’s a sport glossary at the back of the book, so if you aren’t familiar with a particular athlete’s sport, you can learn about it. It’s a perfect time to do so, with the 2026 Olympics coming up. The Winter Games are fairly small, with only six events in the Paralympics – including para ice hockey, one of my favourites – and 16 in the Olympics. So, it’s a bit easier to watch the majority of events. Make sure to check out wheelchair curling; Canada has one of the top teams and is the only country to have medalled at every Winter Olympics in the sport’s history.
You’re quite the athlete yourself, first as a high school soccer champion, then as a decorated rugby player for the Gaels – you were named OUA All-Star for Queen’s in 2012. How did your experience as a Gael influence your book and your athletic career?
Playing rugby at Queen’s was my first foray into high-performance sport and I loved it. It was such a supportive environment, and I learned so much about myself, as a Gael. Queen’s Women’s Rugby opened many doors for me, and I continue to make new connections because of university rugby. Though my competitive playing days are over, I still join a rugby club wherever I move, because I know there will be an amazing built-in community. I fell in love with coaching several years ago and realized how much I love working with athletes to unlock their potential. Writing this book was an amazing opportunity to extend my reach and hopefully help young athletes find a new passion or recognize themselves in some of the stories that are shared, and feel encouraged and seen on their sporting journey.
Since graduating from Queen’s in 2013 with a BAH in Health Studies, you’ve continued to dedicate your education and career to supporting inclusivity for women in sport. Why is it so important to you to champion women and athletics in this way?
In Canada, one in three girls will drop out of sport by their late teens. We know the incredible benefits that participation in sport brings, yet it can be a very exclusive space. I’ve always strived to create positive experiences where athletes of all abilities can play, be themselves, push out of their comfort zone, learn from each other in a welcoming space, and be inspired to stay in sport. I can pinpoint several occasions in my athletic career that, in the moment, seemed so tough, yet ultimately taught me that I was capable of far more than I imagined. Sport builds leaders, and I can’t wait to see today’s young women and emerging athletes transform those lessons into lasting change.
The PWHL and WNBA continue to expand. What are your thoughts on women’s athletics beginning to get the recognition and opportunity it deserves?
It’s about time! I can see the momentum picking up around women’s athletics, and it’s finally getting the attention and sustainable investment it deserves. I love thinking of a whole generation of youth growing up with the PWHL, WNBA, and Northern Super League. What an incredible opportunity for them to see their favourite athletes, as well as an athletic pathway they can strive for. Women’s athletics isn’t just having a moment – it’s here to stay and I love it.
You’re currently a PhD candidate at New Zealand’s University of Waikato, studying the intersectional opportunities and constraints of women in parasport. Why New Zealand, and how do you hope to apply your doctorate once it’s complete?
There’s fascinating research being done on women in sport, and while it can be frustrating to read about the challenges and barriers in this realm, I’m encouraged by the advancements made in recent decades. I’m looking forward to connecting with women across New Zealand who are involved in parasport, to learn about their experiences. The country has a unique sporting landscape, which is why I chose to study there – as well as for my supervisor, professor Holly Thorpe, a renowned feminist researcher. I hope to use my PhD by combining research with applied knowledge to create a more comprehensive pathway for women athletes and coaches to advance in parasport.
What’s next for you – are more books in store?
I’ve had several chats with Sarah Tarpey – the illustrator who worked on my book – about how incredible it would be to create more books, especially ones focused on specific Olympic, paralympic, or Special Olympics games or sports. For now, those ideas are on pause while I write my PhD. But my goal with Canada’s ABCs of Who I Can Be was to ensure that every person could read it and think, “There’s an athlete who is like me.” I hope that, in future books, we’ll be able to highlight an even wider range of athletes from all backgrounds.
