The Velma Springstead Trophy is presented annually to Canada’s Outstanding Female Athlete. It is named in honour of one of the pioneers for women in international sport. The Hamilton track star died from pneumonia in 1927, when only 20 years old. Two years earlier, Canada was invited to compete against Great Britain and Czechoslovakia in a meet in London England. Velma, after out-performing the Canadian record holder in the high jump in trials at Toronto’s Varsity Stadium, finished third in the high jump and fourth in the hurdles in London. She epitomized not only the ambitions of Canadian sportswomen of the times, but the uncertainties and complexities of their quest.