#WomensHistoryMonth with Montana Molyneux

Oct 24, 2024

Montana Molyneux is a dedicated coach and athlete who has carved her path in competitive sports through her ski racing career. Currently affiliated with Pacific Sport Columbia Basin, she spent four transformative years with the BC Alpine Ski Association. She is a beacon of support for women athletes in her community.

In her teenage years, Montana began competing in ski racing. She was introduced to the world of sport from an early age. “Growing up surrounded by many kids, skiing, basketball, swimming, tennis, and ball hockey were constant activities until the dinner bell,” she shares.

Throughout her sport journey, Montana had the opportunity to train with incredible coaches who inspired her to continue with ski racing and motivated her to become a coach. “These connections have been pivotal in my career,” she emphasizes, highlighting the importance of collaboration and mutual growth.

However, Montana’s journey has not been without challenges. Coaching a sport predominantly populated by male coaches tested her resilience. She encountered a lack of empathy from peers when raising concerns about the coaching environment. “Being a female coach can sometimes feel isolating, especially when the culture of the team does not align with its stated values,” she reflects. “This experience instilled in me a set of values that I carry forward today,” she notes, emphasizing the importance of advocacy and creating a safer environment for all, especially for women in coaching roles.

“Equity in sport remains a pressing issue,” she shares, highlighting the need for more women in coaching and leadership roles. “Being a woman can be empowering and challenging. It can be taxing to feel like your voice represents not just you but all women.”

Montana’s passion for creating greater equity in the sport space has driven her to create a space for female-identifying athletes and coaches. With the help of BC Alpine, they created the Girls Fast Forward camp. “This camp gave me a feeling of community that I had never experienced before as a coach,” she shares. Female-identifying athletes and coaches across the province could come together, connect and grow on and off snow. Together with the athletes, they crafted a culture that empowered female racers, showcasing what is possible.

Looking ahead, Montana is enthusiastic about her role with Pacific Sport Columbia Basin, where she is working on creating more inclusion and connecting female-identifying Alpine Ski Coaches throughout the Kootenays. “I am looking forward to our inclusion work and hope to help create more opportunities for underrepresented communities to access the joy of physical activity,” she shares. “We need to continue to amplify more women’s careers and experiences, so we can inspire and push organizations and clubs to work for more equitable workplaces.”