Black youth from the GTA in grades 10 and 11 who are interested in the study of kinesiology had the opportunity to attend a free March break program last week called Reach Ahead to Kinesiology hosted by the University of Toronto Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE).
The youth spent the week in interactive workshops and activities learning about the different areas of kinesiology, meeting with KPE staff and faculty, getting mentored by Black and racialized students in the bachelor of kinesiology program, and exploring career paths and graduate level studies available with a BKin degree.
“The Reach Ahead to Kinesiology Program is now in its second year, but this is the first time that we’re doing it fully in person,” said Steve Marchment, recruitment and admissions officer in the KPE Office of the Registrar and Student Services (ORSS).
ORSS spearheaded the program in 2022, following recommendations from the KPE Task Force on Race and Indigeneity and U of T’s Anti-Black Racism Task Force to develop more access programs – initiatives that provide students from traditionally underrepresented groups with supports, pathways, structured programs and opportunities to continue learning at the post-secondary level.
“This year, the program included an overnight component for the first two days, with participants staying in the Chelsea hotel in downtown Toronto with a don on the floor to give them a sense of what life looks like in a residence dorm,” said Marchment.
16-year-old Adil Salim had this to say about the experience:
“I’ve been interested in kinesiology since grade seven or eight. I was always interested in sports, but I’m also good at school. When I was watching sport games, whenever someone would get injured, I’d see the guys run out on the field to help the players and I always thought that was the coolest job in the world, because you get to work with professional athletes and you’re helping them heal … So, when I figured out that was kinesiology, I wanted to learn more about it … I was so excited to get in this program and it exceeded my expectations. I learned so much about kinesiology, but not only that. I also learned about U of T, how to apply, what life is like here for students … It has been really exciting and a wonderful experience. I really enjoyed hearing Professor Doug Richard talk about his work with athletes. That’s what I want to do someday. I didn’t think there would be much of a community here, because the university is so big, but there’s a togetherness at KPE I didn’t expect to see.”
15-year-old Tofunmi Ojutalayot said:
“I always liked sciences and sports, so I thought what field combines the two and I discovered kinesiology. I’ve really enjoyed being in this program. I had fun meeting the students, going to labs, learning about different parts of kinesiology and exploring the campus. It was also interesting to hear the profs talk about what athletes go through physically, but also psychologically, the mental struggles.”
Marchment said the Reach Ahead to Kinesiology program exposes participants to the Faculty and the University in a way that gives them a deeper understanding of both.
“What makes our Faculty so unique is that we are a small, intimate Faculty within a world-renowned research institution such as U of T, so you get the best of both worlds,” he said.