By Nolan Kowal, Sport Performance Specialist

You may have noticed the KidSport Manitoba roster has grown quite a bit this year! Over the past few months, we have introduced new ambassadors to KidSport Manitoba, and we thought you should have the chance to get to know them better. Our ambassadors play a big role with KidSport and within our communities to help get kids off of the sidelines and into the game. 

This week we are featuring ambassador Nic Demski, wide receiver for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and 2019 Grey Cup Champion. Enjoy!

 

What sports did you play growing up?

I played every sport growing up, started with tee ball, to baseball, soccer, football, hockey, basketball, badminton, volleyball, track and field, there were not many sports I did not at least try! 

 

What is your favourite sport moment from your career?

My favourite sport moment of my career happened pretty recently and that was winning the 2020 Grey Cup, it was a crazy memory that I will never forget, it was such an accomplishment to help bring the Grey Cup back to Winnipeg!

 

How has sport shaped your life?

Sports has shaped my life in so many ways, from socializing, to learning lessons about respect and how to treat others, it has also given me a chance to give back to my community. 

 

If you weren’t currently playing your sport what would you be doing?

Honestly I have no idea what I would be doing, sports have always been the center of my life. I always thought firefighters are pretty cool and would be a rewarding job. 

 

What is something you would tell your younger self before you got into your sport?

To be a student of the game but also to be a student in the classroom. I gave myself way too much stress rushing assignments and doing too many things last minute, if I would have put a little more effort in the classroom it could have helped me focus on my sport instead of trying to finish an assignment the night before! 

 

What advice would you give to kids who are new to your sport?

To never give up, football is a tough sport physically and mentally, there are always a lot of ups and downs but one thing that must stay constant is your heart! 

 

What is the biggest goal you have achieved in your career?

My biggest goal I have achieved in my career is winning the Grey Cup, football is a team sport so the ultimate goal is winning a championship, winning a championship at the highest level is definitely the best achievement. 

 

How did your amateur career prepare you for your professional career?

My amateur career helped prepare me by learning that adversity comes at the strangest times! No matter what, life is never going to be perfect so learning that at a young age and learning how to come out of the situation on top is a very important lesson. It’s not about what knocks you down it’s about how you figured out to get up and then rise above. 

 

Who has inspired you throughout your career?

There have been many people who have inspired me throughout my career, many coaches and many mentors that I call brothers to me who I have played with. My parents definitely play the biggest role in inspiration, they always made sure I got to practice and my games and really showed me what it means to work hard and achieve your goals that way. 

 

Why did you get involved with KidSport?

It was a great opportunity to give back to the community and I know how much sports can impact someone’s life in positive ways, so I want to be part of giving that opportunity. 

 

We hope you learned more about Nic Demski! We are excited to have him on our KidSport Manitoba team to help make an impact in our community, so ALL kids can play! Make sure you come back next week to get to know another KidSport Manitoba ambassador!

 

About KidSport Manitoba

KidSport is a national charity administered in Manitoba by Sport Manitoba which provides support to children in order to remove financial barriers that prevent them from playing organized sport. KidSport believes that no kid should be left on the sidelines and all should be given the opportunity to experience the positive benefits of organized sports.

For more information about KidSport Manitoba, please visit our website.