In many ways, Paige Rynne (Ancaster,ON/) is the kind of prototypical power forward that every coach longs for: she plays a full 200-foot game, she owns a wicked wrist shot, and she carries a fierce competitive streak that buoys her teammates and frustrates her opponents. She's the kind of player that makes an impact every time she hits the ice for the Warriors women's hockey team.
But now, as her career as a student-athlete winds down, Rynne's tireless efforts for a great cause might leave an even bigger impact off the ice.
Rynne, a fifth-year masters of Kinesiology student, is the driving force behind the Warriors' mental health awareness game this Friday night against the Toronto Varsity Blues. The Laborer's International Union of North America (LiUNA) has sponsored a set of limited-edition jerseys that the Warriors will wear for the evening, and the game-used jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit the Canadian Mental Health Association of Waterloo-Wellington.
Bid on a game-worn jersey here!
It's the first time that a Warriors team has hosted an event in support of mental health awareness, but it's especially unique for how it came to be. In addition to her duties on the ice and in the classroom, Rynne conceived of the idea, secured a sponsorship from LiUNA, and worked closely with Warriors marketing and events staff to curate all the details. It was no doubt a heavy workload, but Rynne said that the cause is well worth the effort.
"I think, especially after COVID, issues related to mental health have become more and more prevalent," said Rynne. "Suicide is the second-leading cause of dealth among youth and young adults between 15-34. So I think there's a need for awareness and support."
The impetus of the mental health awareness game came from Rynne's time as an undergraduate at the University of New Hampshire, where she was a member of the women's hockey program from 2018 to 2022. Rynne and her teammates took part in an annual Stick it to Stigma game, in partnership with Connor's Climb – a New-Hampshire-based foundation that focuses on mental health and youth suicide prevention. But, having played at both the NCAA and USPORTS levels, Rynne knew that sponsorship can often take initiatives like this to the next level. So, she contacted LiUNA, which was an organization she'd worked with in the past.
"I had a relationship with some people at LiUNA, because they'd sponsored me for a few events when I was a member of Team Ontario lacrosse," said Rynne. "Their organization cares a lot about movements like this, and they are involved in a lot of mental health initiatives, so it was a great fit."
In a written statement, LiUNA Vice President and Canadian Director Joseph S. Mancinelli echoed those sentiments, and said his organization was thrilled to be able to participate in the initiative.
"As a proud champion of women in the workforce, and a strong proponent for mental health awareness and accessible support programs, we are proud to stand with the Waterloo Warriors women's hockey team and amplify their efforts to raise impactful awareness. Together, we can enact change!"
When Rynne first approached head coach Shaun Reagan about hosting the event, the veteran bench boss was immediately supportive. Reagan is acutely aware of how serious mental well-being is for student-athletes – in 2013, he and his wife Jen helped save the life of former player Caitlin Bridges, who was in a battle with severe depression.
"It's a great initiative, and it's some outstanding leadership by Paige," said Reagan. "This issue needs to be at the forefront. We try to talk a lot as a staff about how we can support our student-athletes, through school and all other parts of life. Paige had our full support, and she took it and ran with it."
Reagan's view is shared throughout the entire department of athletics, as mental wellness has been among the top priorities across all Warriors varsity teams. In addition to the support provided by individual coaches and team staffs, former Warriors football player and coach Marshall Bingeman serves as the department's wellness coordinator, helping student-athletes with academic success and additional supports for their lives away from the field of play. And, in partnership with uWaterloo's Counselling Services, a counsellor has now been embedded with the department of athletics, to help provide support and programming to Warriors students and student-athletes.
"Having spent over 30 years on campus as a student athlete, coach, and now Wellness Coordinator for Athletics, I am amazed at the growth and development of mental health supports for all of our students," said Bingeman. "I am ecstatic to know that we will have, unique to almost every other athletic department in Canada, our very own embedded counsellor in the near future. The leadership and support of Counselling Services to assist us in providing this service to our student-athletes is simply amazing."
For her part, Rynne has furthered the momentum around mental health and well-being with her unique approach to an athlete-led event. And, as she enters her final term as a varsity athlete, she hopes her actions might imbue other players or teams to jump on-board too.
"With this being my last year, I feel like it's my responsibility," said Rynne. "I had unique experiences at UNH, and now maybe I can help pass that along here. I hope it's a successful event, and that it opens doors for events like this going forward."
There will be a pre-game ceremony prior to the 7pm puck drop against the Blues, and the jersey auction closes at 8pm on Friday night, with a postgame ceremony to follow. For tickets and auction info, visit gowarriorsgo.ca.
