Velma Springstead

Velma Springstead (22 August 1906 – 27 March 1927) was a Canadian track and field athlete. Springstead won the gold medal in high jump during the 1925 Canadian Track and Field Championships and became a member of the first women's track and field team of Canada to compete internationally. After her death, Springstead was posthumously honoured with the creation of the Velma Springstead Trophy and was inducted into the Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

Velma Springstead

Personal information
Born	August 22, 1906 Hamilton, Ontario
Died	March 27, 1927 (aged 20) Hamilton, Ontario
Sport
Country	Canada
Sport	Athletics
Medal record Track and field Representing  Canada Canadian Track and Field Championships 1925 Halifax Women's High Jump

Early life and education

Springstead was born on 22 August 1906 in Hamilton, Ontario.[1]

Career

In July 1925, Springstead participated in a track and field qualification held at Varsity Stadium for the Amateur Athletic Union of Canada. Her performance earned her a spot on the first women's track and field team of Canada to compete in an international event.[1] The following month, Springstead was third in the high jump event alongside a fourth place finish in the hurdles event at a 1925 track and field meet in London, England. After the meet, Springstead was presented a trophy by Lord Decies for her courage.[2]

The same year, Springstead won gold at the 1925 Canadian Track and Field Championships in the high jump event.[3] Outside of her athletic career, Springstead worked for Calvin Presbyterian Church as a teacher and was a secretary for Tuckett Tobacco Company.[4]

Death

On 27 March 1927, Springstead died of pneumonia in Hamilton, Ontario.[1]

Awards and honours

After her death, the Velma Springstead Trophy was created to award the best Canadian sportswoman of the year.[5] In 2011, Springstead was posthumously inducted into the Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame.[2]

References

1. Kidd, Bruce (2005). "SPRINGSTEAD, VELMA AGNES". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. 15.
2. "Honored Members". Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
3. "CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS MEDALLISTS 1900-2015" (PDF). Athletics Canada. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
4. "Hamilton's heroes of sports". Hamilton Spectator. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
5. Forsyth, Janice; Giles, Audrey, eds. (2013). Aboriginal Peoples and Sport in Canada: Historical Foundations and Contemporary Issues. UBC Press. p. 87. ISBN 9780774824224. Retrieved 11 February 2018.