London - Female high school students from across the region, looking for a jump on life, are racing to The University of Western Ontario this Friday for a special one-day event geared to those who play and participate in sports and athletics.

With countless opportunities available locally, nationally and south of the border, JUMP! is an all-day conference where participants will gain valuable tools from women who have followed, or are following, a variety of paths to success, both in academics and in sport.

Scheduled for Friday, April 24 from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the McKellar Room in the University Community Centre, JUMP! is sponsored by the Women’s Athletic Alumnae of The University of Western Ontario, in partnership with the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

“We understand that many girls in their teens lose interest in sport and tend to move away from physical activity,” explains JUMP! Conference Chair, Helen Luckman. “For those who are already engaged in high performance, be it school or club teams, we hope to give them the tools to explore the post-secondary opportunities available to them at both college and university and to reinforce for them the importance of education in their future.”

She continues, “Most particularly we will introduce them to young women who will share their personal stories of how competitive sport has affected their lives through post-secondary education and in their careers.”

JUMP! features keynote speaker Christine Nesbitt, an accomplished Olympic speed skater. Nesbitt will share her inspiring story of the hard work, dedication, and education needed to pursue her athletic dreams.

Two-time Olympian Catherine Bond-Mills, a 10-time national champion and former record holder in the heptathlon, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Her multifaceted lifestyle demonstrates that athletic accomplishments can be achieved concurrently with fulltime education and employment in a demanding profession.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario. The Foundation allocates grants to eligible charitable and not-for-profit organizations in the arts and culture, environment, human and social services and sports and recreation sectors.