Active Together Family Sports is a not-for-profit sport organization. Our mission is to inspire families to be physically active by participating in sport together. We support families in continuing an active lifestyle by building confidence in sport, connecting like-minded people in the community and providing role modelling opportunities within families.
We are always evaluating and listening to the needs of our participants and community. We hope that our organic approach will grow into new sports and communities in the years to come! Please get in contact with us if you have ideas to share!
Learn more about our Board of Directors and Research Advisory Team.
Board of Directors
Erin Schmidt
Erin formerly worked in the local tech industry as an engineer and project manager. She is now taking time off to spend with family and pursue other interests. Together with her husband, they volunteer to manage and coach the Woolwich Swim Team. She is a recreational runner, swimmer and ultimate frisbee player with three children active in community sport including swimming, running, hockey, basketball and soccer.
Katie Misener (@MISENERKATIE)
Katie is an Associate Professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at the University of Waterloo. Her research focuses on the social impact and organizational capacity of community sport clubs. She is currently a volunteer with the youth in recreation committee of the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation and is on the Board of Parks and Recreation Ontario. She is an active swimmer and skier and parent of two young athletes in hockey, dance, and swimming.
Mark Edwards
Mark was an actuary and executive in the insurance industry which highlighted to him how important healthy living is for our communities. Now retired from his professional career, Mark is a recreational athlete, who enjoys running, hockey, baseball and the occasional triathlon. He has two children involved in community sports and anchors the home life for his family.
Haley Baxter (@HALEY_BAXTER20)
Haley is a PhD candidate in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at the University of Waterloo and teaches full time in the Recreation and Leisure Services program at Conestoga College. Her research focuses on volunteer management in community sport organizations. Haley is a former varsity women’s hockey player and currently coaches with the Waterloo Ravens Girls Hockey Club and the Woolwich Thrashers Sledge Hockey Club.
Research Advisory Team
The Research Advisory Team is led by our Research Director, Dr. Katie Misener. Learn more about Active Together research projects.
Sydney Dysart
Sydney is a graduate student at the University of Waterloo in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies after completing her undergraduate degree at UW in Recreation and Sport Business. Her research interests include program evaluation, program design, and community sport management. Sydney is an avid swimmer and competed on the UW varsity swim team throughout her undergraduate degree. She is now a coach with the Swim Together program. Find out more about Sydney on our coaching page.
Karin Browne
Karin is a graduate student at University of Waterloo in the Recreation of Leisure Studies program, with research interests in sport for development and community sport and recreation in minority communities. She is a former competitive swimmer on the National team for over 7 years culminating with competing in the London 2012 Olympics. She has been a swim instructor and coach in Antigua for over 10 years teaching a range of age groups from toddlers to adults. She is currently an Assistant Coach with the University of Waterloo’s varsity swim team and enjoys swimming whenever possible.
Haley Baxter (@HALEY_BAXTER20)
Haley is a PhD candidate in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at the University of Waterloo and teaches full time in the Recreation and Leisure Services program at Conestoga College. Her research focuses on volunteer management in community sport organizations. Haley is a former varsity women’s hockey player and currently coaches with the Waterloo Ravens Girls Hockey Club and the Woolwich Thrashers Sledge Hockey Club.
Dawn Trussell
Dawn is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sport Management at Brock University. She is currently the Chancellor’s Research Chair for Excellence at Brock and serves as the President of the Canadian Leisure Studies Association. Her research focuses on family life, community sport, as well as diversity and equity issues. She is an active cross-country skier, kayaker, and parent of two young girls in horseback riding, soccer, volleyball, and dance.
Trisha Cho
Trisha is a graduate student of Recreation and Leisure at the University of Waterloo, following the completion of an undergraduate degree in Recreation and Sport Business. Her interest lies in community development and using sports as a gateway to improve personal well-being. Trisha is a current member of the University of Waterloo’s ice hockey program, and passionately involves herself in the sporting community within the university and around the KW region.
Active Together Family Sports 