Uzodinma Ukagwu | Sports Editor
Featured Image: Two-time OUA goal-scoring leader Jaslan Stirling (right) shines on the field. | Courtesy of YorkU Lions
Jaslan Stirling just concluded her second season with the York Lions’ field hockey team, and she has undoubtedly shined as the star. She finished as OUA top-scorer for the second season in a row, as the team won the OUA championship back-to-back.
She and her teammates will be hoping to go a step further than they did last year by winning the U SPORTS championship this weekend when they host the University of Victoria Vikes in a best of three series.
Stirling credits her teammates for her success so far. She says she has “been gifted with an amazing team,” that allows her to concentrate on “upfront-scoring goals.” She says she is excited for the U SPORTS championships and wishes her opponents the best of luck.
I asked Stirling a few questions about her life as a Lions athlete and student.
How long have you been playing field hockey? What are your past teams? What’s your most special hockey career memory so far?
I’ve been playing field hockey for six years and have played on countless teams. Field hockey is a smaller sport, so a player usually doesn’t stick to one team their entire career. The memory I enjoyed the most in field hockey occurred when I was in grade 10, when I travelled to Trinidad and Tobago for the Junior World Cup Qualifier for U23 National Team. It was surreal to represent the maple leaf and to this day I still get shivers to think I was able to partake in something so much bigger than myself.
I would like to gain some insight into why you settled on field hockey. What other sports did you play in your childhood?
I played ice hockey when I was younger, but once I hit the turf and tried running laces instead of skate laces there was no going back. I immediately hit it off with the sport, and to this day I am grateful that I made that decision.
What are you currently studying at York?
I am taking disaster and emergency management. I’m taking this program to become a firefighter one day, if all goes as planned.
How gruelling is the routine of a York Lions athlete? What does your daily/weekly routine involve?
The routine of a York Lion is geared towards making athletes the best players they can be in their respective sports. On my team, we train three to four times a week, in addition to team workouts twice a week. We also have our games during regular season on weekends. Our off-season schedule differs greatly, as it is more weight and strength-based to become stronger for our next season.
How has the York journey been so far, academically and socially? How much of an impact does playing for York have on your social and academic life?
My journey at York has been one for the books. I’ve met some of the most influential and kind people who have changed my life for the better. Being a York athlete specifically means that you will have no problem meeting other athletes on different teams due to how easy-going and fun York athletes are.
Who are your role models in and outside sports?
Growing up I had a few role models, however, as I aged I have tried to simply focus on being the best version of myself.
What are your favourite sports outside of field hockey?
I really enjoy rugby and ice hockey.
Do you plan to play field hockey professionally after York?
I try not to focus too much on what I will be doing after school because I am uncertain as to how I will feel towards the sport once I finish my five years as a varsity athlete. With that being said, I would definitely consider playing professionally if I was lucky enough to be given that opportunity with my current mindset towards the sport.
Any game-day rituals?
I don’t consider myself a superstitious player, however one thing I always do before a game is slide my fingers across the initials “NH” that is written on my stick for my sister Natasha who passed away from cancer in 2015.
We at Excalibur wish Stirling and her teammates the best of luck as they go on to the U SPORTS championships.
