What Makes The Laurier Brantford YMCA Great?

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY SARA SHEIKH / SPUTNIK PHOTOGRAPHY The Laurier Brantford YMCA (LBYMCA) has become a crucial landmark for the Golden Hawks and the people of Brantford. Opened on September 14, 2018, the LBYMCA has provided a new home for…

Categories: Sports

Laurier Brantford Women’s Soccer Team Make History

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JEREMY VYN / SPUTNIK PHOTOGRAPHY The Laurier Brantford Women’s Soccer team has made provincials for the first time in their history.   On March 8, the team competed in the OCAA regionals tournament which had them play…

Categories: Sports

Goal Setting in Sports

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY SARA SHEIKH / SPUTNIK PHOTOGRAPHY Accomplishing the goals one sets out delivers the feelings of fulfillment and happiness. Knowing what you want to achieve and the steps you need to take to reach your goals, can help…

Categories: Sports

For The Love Of Fitness

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY KAREN SAVOY / SPUTNIK PHOTOGRAPHY Starting a fitness journey can be a difficult routine to get into.    In the beginning, things may seem overwhelming and evaluating why you want to take your fitness seriously can help…

Categories: Sports

Gyms Reopen January 31st, 2022

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY SARA SHEIKH / SPUNTIK PHOTOGRAPHY The Ontario government has announced public fitness centres are allowed to reopen as of Jan. 31, 2022.   As there have been ongoing reopening/closures of gyms, many have unfortunately become accustomed to…

Categories: Sports

How The Raptors Culture Has Grown Over The Past Decade

Off a 2019 Championship run, The Toronto Raptors have grown into a respectable and loved franchise in the NBA.   While the progress of the team has been steady and impactful almost every season since the 2013/14 season, the Raptors…

Categories: Sports

2022 Winter Sports Season Postponed Until Further Notice

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY SARA SHEIKH / SPUTNIK PHOTOGRAPHY The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) has made some announcements regarding the upcoming 2022 Winter Season. With the safety of athletes and staff being top priority, the OCAA has pushed the start…

Categories: Sports

Should Athletes Be Considered Role Models?

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JEREMY VYN / SPUTNIK PHOTOGRAPHY As social media has evolved and the focus on sports is at an all-time high, greater attention has been placed on athletes regarding their play for their respective sport and all activities…

Categories: Sports

Laurier Brantford Varsity XC Compete at Nationals

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY LAURIER BRANTFORD / INSTAGRAM On Nov. 13, 2021, the Laurier Brantford cross country (XC) team competed at the CCAA National Championships at St. Mary’s University in Calgary, Alberta.    After gaining momentum from provincials, the Golden Hawks…

Categories: Sports

Ontario Lifts Covid Capacity Limits in Gyms

As announced on Oct. 25, 2021, Ontario lifted COVID-19 restrictions placed on gyms provided customers show proof of full immunization. After a year of having no access to gyms and fitness centres, the province is slowly progressing into allowing some…

Categories: Sports

The Importance of Sports

Playing sports is one thing, but the importance behind it can be frequently overlooked and undervalued.  Often used to maintain and improve emotional and physical health, sports offer a gateway into other important values in life which cannot be ignored.…

Categories: Sports

Laurier Varsity Cross Country Team Ushers in New Season

On Oct. 2, 2021, The Laurier Brantford varsity cross country team participated in their first race of the year initiating a new season for Laurier Brantford athletics. After a year without in-person sports, the time has finally come for sports…

Categories: Sports

Excitement Within the Culture of Laurier Athletics

After a full school year of no sports and competition, athletes are finally allowed to compete in the sports they love to play. Many words can be used to describe how students are feeling about the return of sports but…

Categories: Sports

All OCAA Participants Are Required To Be Fully Vaccinated

PHOTO BY SARA SHEIKH / SPUTNIK PHOTOGRAPHY Announced on September 7, the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) issued a statement requiring all participants to be fully vaccinated in order to play in OCAA events. PHOTO VIA THE OCAA “Effective Oct.…

Categories: Sports

Athlete recovery: dealing with pain and avoiding injuries

PHOTO BY SARA SHEIKH/ THE SPUTNIK PHOTOGRAPHY   Injuries are an unfortunate part of sports that all athletes understand is a part of the game. While injuries can come unexpectedly, they are a component of any sport that cannot be…

Categories: Sports

Will Laurier Brantford resume sports this fall?

CONTRIBUTED IMAGE   The Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is planning on having all sports programs run for the 2021–22 academic year. While many details are still in the working process, the athletic departments have been working on ensuring sports can…

Categories: Sports

How COVID-19 protocols have impacted sports teams

PHOTO BY JEREMY VYN / THE SPUTNIK PHOTOGRAPHY   With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to affect the world one way or another, the COVID-19 protocols have had an everlasting impact on sports.    Much of the sports world has started…

Categories: Sports

Promising sport in Canadian universities: wrestling

PHOTO BY PATRICK ANADA   With the sports world growing every year, new sports are up and coming continuing to gain popularity.   The sport of wrestling, in particular, has gradually become an exciting and well-respected sport gaining attention all…

Categories: Sports

Work ethic in sports

CONTRIBUTED IMAGE / THE SPUTNIK PHOTOGRAPHY   Whether you are playing on a team or competing in a solo sport, the work ethic of an athlete is crucial for any sort of success within their sport. While different sports can…

Categories: Sports

Athletes balancing between sport and spirit

CONTRIBUTED IMAGE / THE SPUTNIK PHOTOGRAPHY   The holiday season is finally here. While the festive period is a time for relaxation from school and sports, healthy habits may slowly start to fade away. Particularly for athletes, balance is an…

Categories: Sports

What is happening in the NBA?

PHOTO BY REUBEN JAMES SORIANO / THE SPUTNIK PHOTOGRAPHY   The NBA has announced the 2020/2021 season will start on December 22, 2020.   After confusion and mayhem surrounding when the NBA season would restart again this year, details and…

Categories: Sports

Can KAOS compete?

PHOTOS BY NATASHA O’NEILL / THE SPUTNIK PHOTOGRAPHY Disclaimer: All photos in this article were taken prior to COVID-19.   Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there have been adjustments that dance teams across universities have had to make.  But there is…

Categories: Sports

The Value of Chemistry in Sports

CONTRIBUTED IMAGE / THE SPUTNIK PHOTOGRAPHY   Knowing your role for a team and coming together with others to compete for a common goal is the basis of all team sports.  While the makeup of a successful team includes elements…

Categories: Sports

OCAA cancels winter 2021 season due to pandemic

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VANESSA BROWN   The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) announced the cancellation of the winter season for 2021, leaving many athletes and coaches shocked across the province.  Due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, the organization said…

Categories: Sports

The Significance Of Preparation For Athletes

IMAGE CONTRIBUTED BY AHAD NAIM   The value of preparation is part of the tools of success to be the best version of you. In whichever field you are in, preparation can be the skill that elevates your well being…

Categories: Sports

Black Lives Matter in sports

CONTRIBUTED IMAGE   “When you’re Black, it’s not a movement, it’s a lifestyle,” Los Angeles Lakers Lebron James said to a New York Post reporter.  The statement above can be seen as a common ideology between many Black people and…

Categories: Sports