Club Spotlight: Barrie Women's Disc Golf Club | Professional Disc Golf Association
Date Published

**TITLE:** "Breaking Down Barriers: The Power of Women in Disc Golf"
**META_TITLE:** "Women in Disc Golf: Barrie's Female Founders Breaking New Ground"
**META_DESCRIPTION:** "Meet Victoria Fenninger and Crystal Gillis, co-presidents of the Barrie Women's Disc Golf Club. Discover how they're creating safe spaces for women to play disc golf and making a difference in their community."
**ARTICLE:**
In the world of disc golf, two women from Barrie, Ontario are making waves by breaking down barriers and empowering other females to take up the sport. Victoria Fenninger and Crystal Gillis, co-presidents of the Barrie Women's Disc Golf Club (BWDC), have been instrumental in creating a safe and supportive community for women to enjoy disc golf.
Their journey began when they met at Sandy Hollow, where they started talking about creating a women's league in Barrie. With their combined passion for disc golf and desire to remove obstacles that might prevent women from playing regularly, the BWDC was born. Their primary goal is to create safe spaces for women to play at their own levels, free from intimidation or pressure to perform.
"We knew we had to address the issue of childcare," says Victoria Fenninger, Program Director and Head Coach at Fenninger Racing. "That's why we organized a trained babysitter to come to the course on league nights so women with kids could join in." This initiative has been a game-changer for many female players.
Crystal Gillis, Trustee Program Case Manager at Busby Centre, adds that creating safe spaces is crucial for women's confidence and enjoyment of the sport. "Women need areas where they can be themselves without feeling like they have to constantly live up to others' standards," she emphasizes.
The BWDC offers a range of activities, including free coaching sessions and disc decorating events at Sandy Hollow. They're also planning to host their first World Gender Equality (WGE) events in August, making history for both courses. "We want to show that women can be just as competitive and successful as men," says Crystal.
When asked about the importance of female representation in disc golf, Victoria highlights the need for more women to take on leadership roles in organizing and running events. "If we don't see ourselves in these positions, how can we expect others to?" she asks. Crystal agrees that women bring a unique perspective to the sport and should be encouraged to participate at all levels.
As co-presidents of the BWDC, Victoria and Crystal are dedicated to spreading the message that disc golf is for everyone, regardless of age or ability. Their vision for the future includes creating more safe spaces for women in other areas and supporting each other as they grow the sport.
For those interested in joining the Barrie Women's Disc Golf Club, Victoria invites anyone to drop by Sandy Hollow on Wednesday nights at 5 pm. "It's free to play, and we have discs to loan out if needed," she says. Crystal adds, "We're not just about disc golf – we're about creating a community where women can thrive."
The Barrie Women's Disc Golf Club is an inspiring example of how women can come together to build something positive and empowering. As Crystal so eloquently puts it, "When it comes down to it, we all play for the same team – Team Disc Golf."
This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/member-spotlight-barrie-womens-disc-golf-club