Womxn in the Game: Beyond the Game. Presenting Whitney Jackson
Whitney is the current Lead Coach of the Pelham Panthers JK/SK, Gr 1-2 group.
As a mother of two powerful girls, she couldn’t wait to share her passion with them.
Growing up, she volunteered at Niagara College camps, creating opportunities for younger age groups in the community.
Quick Profile
Name:Whitney Jackson
Role: Coach
Organization: Pelham Panthers
Location: Pelham, Ontario
Instagram: @miss.jackson12
Her Journey
Whitney played soccer growing up and didn’t start playing basketball until grade 6, but she quickly fell in love with the game. Team sports helped her build personality traits like resilience, empathy, and accountability. Whitney has always been a team player and continues to learn from losses in all aspects of life.
The Work
Motherhood influences how Whitney leads, trains, and builds community authorative control to empathy-driven guidance. She has built a village where everyone wins; some kids step onto the court for the first time feeling overwhelmed, but by the end of the program, they walk out with confidence.
In Her Words
“Remember where they started and how far they have come.”
For the Next Generation
Focus on the journey, celebrate your personal progress, and value what
your body can accomplish.
Representation
Representation in sports to Whitney means showing up. Showing a path in life and our authentic sleves to those who look up to us as coaches and role models.
Beyond the Game Means
For Whitey, “beyond the game” means using her power. You have the power to build confidence and share the love for the game with others. We have the power to make someone’s day.
Full Q&A
Can you share your current role and how you first got involved?
I am currently the Lead Coach for the Pelham Panthers JK/SK and Grade 1 and 2 group. I'm a mother of two powerful girls and couldn't wait to share my passion for the game with them. Growing up, I volunteered with Mike Hurley for the Niagara College camps and learned a lot from him. I met with him, and together we quickly organized the JK/SK group. There was not much for basketball in that age group. It has grown very fast, and I couldn't be happier and more proud.
Did you play sports growing up? How did that (or not) shape your path?
Growing up I played soccer and didn't start Basketball until grade 6. It took no time at all for me to fall in love with the game. Team sports shape personality by fostering traits like resilience, empathy, and accountability. Working toward a shared goal naturally builds emotional intelligence, as you learn to communicate effectively under pressure, celebrate collective wins gracefully, and develop a growth mindset when dealing with losses. I am a team player and learn from my losses in all aspects of life.
How has motherhood influenced the way you lead, train, or build community?
Motherhood has influenced the way I lead train, and build the community authoritative control to empathy-driven guidance. Compassion and being competitive without taking and using your power in the wrong way. I use motherhood to build my village so that everyone wins as a team.
How do you define success?
Success to me can be big or small. On hard days, I stop and think, "lets focus on the solution" and not everything that's in the way. Don't forget to celebrate the small wins. Seeing my girls smile and succeed on day to day things. Also, success when they master triple threat and get their first basket.
What impact do you hope to have on the next generation of girls in sport?
I want them to have the same feeling I had with my Coach Karen Golob. A strong feeling of respect, fear and love. I hope all my players and or children around me know that I respect them and they can trust me. I am proud of all of them
What does balance realistically look like for you in this season of life?
I'm still learning balance, and I'm not sure I ever will. I put everyone around me first, and I'm sure a lot of people would confirm that I always lead with " How can I help?", even if I'm drowning in appointments, work, laundry, and extracurricular activities.
What is one piece of advice you would give to young girls who want to be involved in sports (in any capacity)?
Focus on the journey, celebrate your personal progress, and value what your body can accomplish. To remember where they started and how far they have come. I find this important in the JK/Sk group. Sometimes stepping on the court for the first time with all those teammates and parents and noises can be a lot. At the end of the program, they are confident but still might not be able to make a hoop, but they have still come so far
What does representation mean to you?
Representation in sports means showing up. To show a path in life to those who look up to me as a coach and role model. representing that I have an opportunity to normalize confidence, leadership, and resilience that girls learn through sport.
Outside of sport, who are you?
I am the same person on and off the court. If we aren't in the gym, we are on a trail hiking or laughing with friends outside. We keep it simple. I don't make plans unless it involves my children, and I'm happy to share those plans with the people around me.
Being a women in the game, beyond the game means...
Power. I have the power to build confidence, and the power to share my love for the game. I have the power to be the best part of someone's day. I have the power to be kind and the power to show and receive respect.
Closing:
Womxn Ball exists to show that there is space for you in sports — in every role, at every level.
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