WATERLOO, Ont. - When the 2026 Ontario Summer Games arrived in Waterloo Region, the Laurier athletic therapy community answered the call.
Running from July 30 to August 2 at venues across the region, the Games have drawn thousands of athletes, coaches and spectators for four days of competition. Behind the scenes, Laurier's full-time staff, alumni, current students and sports medicine professionals are helping keep competitors healthy and performing at their best.
Leading Laurier's involvement is Jen Childs, who is serving as a co-chief therapist for the Games. Under her leadership, several members of the Golden Hawks athletic therapy team have taken on key medical coverage roles across multiple venues.
Alyssa Lafantaisie is serving as lead therapist for flag football at University Stadium while also supporting box lacrosse.
Lindsey Parent is overseeing medical coverage for wushu and field lacrosse at the Laurier Athletic Complex and Ansley Alumni Field, while Natalie Paladino is leading therapy services for beach volleyball at Market Sports and supporting wushu athletes.
Laurier alum Kaitlyn Kelly, a registered massage therapist, is working within the Games polyclinic to provide treatment and recovery services for participants.
The Games have also become a showcase for the lasting impact of Laurier's athletic therapy, kinesiology and student trainer programs, with numerous alumni returning to support the event.
Among those volunteering are former Golden Hawks men's soccer captain Andra Neptune, now a chiropractic student, and former women's hockey players Kathryn Ratiano, a current athletic therapy student, and Brianna Bowman, who is pursuing nursing studies.
Certified athletic therapist Torie Beemer, a former women's lacrosse player, is also part of the medical team, alongside chiropractor Stephanie Romero, a former Laurier student trainer.
Current student-trainer Nurta Noble joins a large contingent of Laurier graduates who have continued their education in health-care fields while returning to support the Games. That group includes athletic therapy students William Henry, Rachel White, Logan Shaw, Colleen Nivins and Bobby McLachlan; chiropractic student Savonna Sawyer; physiotherapy student Julianna Borello; and physiotherapy student Cameron Marson, a Laurier kinesiology graduate.
Laurier alumna and certified athletic therapist Lacey Scott is also contributing medical coverage during the Games.
The team is further supported by Laurier sports medicine physicians Dr. John McCuaig and Dr. Dimetri Haddad, whose expertise helps ensure athletes have access to comprehensive medical care throughout the competition.
For many volunteers, the Games represent an opportunity to give back to a university community that helped shape their careers. The strong Laurier presence across medical and therapy services reflects the continued connection many former student-athletes, student trainers and kinesiology graduates maintain with the Golden Hawks program long after graduation.
With several Ontario Summer Games events taking place on Laurier's campus, the university's contribution extends beyond hosting competition venues. Through the efforts of staff, students, alumni and medical professionals, the Golden Hawks community is helping deliver a safe and successful Games experience for athletes from across the province.
While medal performances will capture most of the attention over the four-day event, the work taking place behind the scenes serves as a reminder that every successful competition depends on a dedicated team of health-care professionals committed to supporting athletes when they need it most.
