In Conversation with Transgender Athlete Amanda Froese

Many point to athletics as an activity that brings people together; historically, however, this has been less true for marginalized groups. Transgender athletes have long been excluded, explicitly and implicitly, from competition and barriers still remain for many athletes. During Pride Week, Greenwood students had a unique opportunity to learn from the challenges and triumphs of Amanda Froese, the first openly transgender athlete to compete at the Canadian Ultimate Frisbee Championships.

During the Pride Week Friday seminars, a group of students skyped with Amanda using the projectors in the Learning Commons. Amanda talked about her own experiences, and then opened the floor for students to ask questions.

While Amanda had been playing Ultimate Frisbee since Grade 10, she initially felt some trepidation about competing when she was first beginning to transition. But, after trying out for and making the Winnipeg MOFO—short for Masters of Flying Objects—she knew she had made the right decision.

Amanda spoke about how important it was that she had family and friends, including her MOFO teammates, who were very supportive of her. She remarked that it was a transition not just for her, but for those around her as well. Despite her fears and some initial difficulties before the league introduced an Inclusion Policy, she was glad to find a team and a league where she felt accepted.

With Amanda skyping in, students were able to participate in a two-way conversation. They had a number of questions for Amanda about her experiences as an athlete, her love of Ultimate Frisbee, and what it is like to be a barrier-breaker, paving the way for other transgender athletes. She answered thoughtfully and candidly.

“It was nice to hear her perspective,” teacher Emma Seaborn said. “I think it was good for our students to see someone in this position who they may be able to relate to.”