From Sport To Leadership - Dana Holland

I was the kid who lived and breathed soccer. The work hard, play hard mentality was woven into my adolescence and my dedication to sport. I got to school early, then at lunch I raced home and back again just so I could fill my soccer quota on the Fleetwood Bawden fields. Both my parents worked long hours but that never stopped my 11-year-old self from biking the 19 km round trip from Hardieville to Lakeview to play our game. I made a commitment, so I pushed through my difficult circumstances to show up for my friends.

My devotion to sport continued into Junior High where I competed in both Cross Country and Track. I then turned my sights to basketball in 8th grade with the attitude of “You never know until you try”. I was a year behind my classmates so I knew I needed to excel in both athleticism and attitude to be noticed… and it paid off. I earned my spot with the Hamilton Hornets but was politely told my main role would be benchwarmer. Now to some, this revelation would be devastating, but I took this as an opportunity to change my outcome. I remained optimistic, had a positive attitude, practiced daily, and worked hard to become the 3rd highest scorer on the team. I took a situation that could have been bleak, set some goals, and created the outcome I desired. This attitude of setting my sights high has continued into adulthood as I transitioned from team to individual sports like hiking and biking. However, I quickly realized the chosen sport doesn’t matter, it’s the mindset behind it.

Sport was integral to developing the skills necessary to become who I am today. As a police officer, I work in a team environment, effectively manage my time, and communicate with various individuals in some of the most difficult situations. I help them navigate challenges and find solutions through problem-solving. When I chose my vocation, I aimed to be a force for good and a positive influence in my community. I have personally experienced a vast spectrum of leadership throughout my career. These experiences have allowed me to pursue opportunities to develop my own leadership skills. I’ve learned that a true leader inspires, empowers, and energizes others to become leaders themselves. I am grateful for the strong leaders in my life who have led by example and encouraged those in their command to become better than they were.

Law enforcement is built on communication, leadership, teamwork, courage, and the ability to be both mentally and physically strong. My profession is dynamic and requires the same qualities of sportsmanship that I gained during my youth. Challenges are constant, yet in an ever-changing climate I choose to be resilient and steadfast in my choice. I learned early on that, “success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” - Robert Collier. With that quote in mind, I have continued my education and make daily efforts to connect with both my family and community.

This past year, I solidified my belief that sport connects people! I ran a Spartan race where people from all over Alberta challenged themselves to overcome personal and tangible obstacles. Intimidation was a factor but as the race went on, I witnessed strangers become friends and rally behind each other towards the common goal of finishing the race. As I embarked into unfamiliar territory, I was amazed at the encouragement and willingness of other athletes to utter words of reassurance and lend a helping hand when needed. Recently, I felt this community atmosphere again as I participated with local youth through basketball and soccer. Our initial interactions were minimal, but as the ball took the court and we delved into the game, sportsmanship, laughter, and competition took hold. With players spanning ages of 12 to 50, we laughed, exchanged high fives and encouraged one another while doing something we all loved, playing basketball.

As I became a mom, I recognized early on that community is essential to a growth mindset in youth. They say, “It takes a village,” and I 100% agree. As a parent, I wear many hats but oftentimes my kids will only recognize me as their mom. However, when it comes to other youth in my life they see me as a friend, mentor, and coach. This is why sport is important. Youth have the ability to build positive relationships while reinforcing the importance of effort. Confidence doesn’t just happen, it is built through hard work, pushing limits, and doing things you have never done before. Some of my kids’ proudest moments have been accomplishing a goal completely on their own. The part about competition and sport that I love the most is the thrill of the game. You can never be certain of the outcome but if you show up with a winning attitude, you can never truly lose because there is always something to gain. Serena Williams said, “A champion is defined not by their wins, but by how they can recover when they fall.” ALL youth need people who believe in them and want them to succeed.

My husband has watched as I’ve taken steps in the direction of my goals and conquered them, often telling me, “You can do anything!”. He has also stood by during setbacks and has allowed me to navigate the difficulties that come with challenges. I am a dreamer and always have been. I have been told many times that I can’t do things but that usually only motivates me to work harder to overcome those obstacles. As a mother, I want my children to have the courage to confidently take on adversity with discipline, hard work, and perseverance. If youth truly understood their potential, they would stop at nothing to achieve their aspirations.

I am a mother, a wife, an athlete, a police officer, a toastmaster, a mentor, and a friend. These are just some of the roles I hold but I am, and will be, so much more. Sport has provided me the latitude to choose wisely, to voice my opinion, and to build the confidence needed to become the individual I am today. I encourage you to always Believe in Yourself and YOU will be unstoppable.