WEEK #25: RUBY S.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Ruby Sorra, I am 15 years old in Grade 9 at Birchmount Park Collegiate (Scarborough)

I love playing all sports and trying new things, but I am currently playing competitive basketball, indoor volleyball and beach volleyball. During a usual season, I train every night and compete every weekend.  Last summer I won U16 Beach Nationals while on the Ontario Beach Volleyball team. For basketball, I have been playing U19 OBA since I was 11 years old, and before that I started playing rep at age 5. In Grade 7 my basketball team won city finals and in Grade 9, my High School basketball team went to OFSAA.  In school I try to play as many sports as I can, and at my school last year I got female athlete of the year as well as the year before that.

What is your favourite part about sport? Why?

I love the competitiveness while playing against others. I love it because I am a very competitive person myself with everything, whether its playing cards or just a race to see who gets the front seat with my sisters. I love channeling my competitiveness onto a basketball or volleyball court and using it to win games.

What are a few qualities of a great teammate? How did you embody those qualities?

A few qualities for a great teammate are, communicating with your partner or other teammates and making sure you are all on the same page with what is happening. Another important quality is supporting your teammates especially when they mess up or are getting inside their own heads. It’s good to support them and communicate with them to solve what is happening. Lastly, a good quality is making sure everyone is working together and if there are problems on or off the court to solve them together. I embody these qualities because I always make sure my teammates are okay, I listen to what they have to stay and communicate with them.

I’ve always played team sports, and love my teammates. They become like family and I like having the support of friends going into high intense games. I’ve gone from being the baby on a team to the leader, so I’ve learned so much along the way with leadership, positivity and encouragement.

How do you give back to sport?

I give back to sport by, helping at my mom’s summer and March break LFB fun/sports camps.

During the summer I am there almost every day, all day, helping kids to become better athletes and helping them discover the sports that they like. It’s so much fun and I love playing with the kids.

In September 2018 I went to Peru and climbed Machu Picchu, I fundraised for my climb with Hope4Help to donate money to a school of kids in Peru. They used the money to buy sports equipment so that they can learn to play the sports they are going to love one day. I got to meet the students and the teachers and saw how much help they needed, I would like to do another climb or trek like Machu Picchu again and support that same school one day.

What advice do you have for parents, coaches, or sport administrators to encourage or improve sport for females?

The advice that I have for them is, to always stay positive especially for parents when watching from the sidelines; it always helps to know that you are being supported by your parents.

I think young girls should try a variety of sports. It’s great for parents to encourage their daughters to TRY anything they want.

For coaches I would say, to be hard/tough on female athletes but not as much that they won’t listen to you, stay encouraging and make sure they understand what you are asking them to do. Good verbal communication is very important.

For administrators, equal opportunity is improving but could still be better.

What is a song that motivates you?

“Hall Of Fame” by the script, ft. will.i.am