OCNews

Whether she is working on the ice or on the field, Cassidy Findlay is at the top of her game.

Findlay, currently the Athletic Therapist for the West Kelowna Warriors, was recently named the BC Hockey League’s (BCHL) Athletic Therapist of the Year for 2025-26. It is a significant recognition for the Certified Athletic Therapist, who traces the foundation of her success directly back to her time in OC’s Kinesiology diploma program. 

Findlay came to OC knowing she wanted to work in health care related to sport. What she didn’t know yet was exactly where that path would lead. “I knew I wanted to work in health care that involved working with sports teams, but I was unsure how all that looked for me,” shared Findlay.

What she found at OC was something she knew would be an asset to her learning: a place where knowledge is built through doing. “I wanted to start at a college because I knew I was going to get more hands-on learning, which is the best way to learn, in addition to the in-class stuff, and that’s exactly what I got at OC,” explained Findlay. “The close-knit community and easy access to the professors were things I valued and did not take for granted.”

Findlay’s professors noticed her drive right away. “Cassidy made the most of every opportunity available in the Department of Kinesiology at Okanagan College,” said Kinesiology Professor, Dr. Colin Wallace. “A key feature of our programs is hands-on, experiential learning and she was always an active presence, either volunteering as a participant, assisting as a tester and consistently engaging with thoughtful questions. I believe I speak for all our faculty when I say we recognized early on that Cassidy would excel in anything she pursued. It has been a genuine pleasure to watch her career unfold.”

From OC, Findlay went on to complete her Bachelor of Human Kinetics at UBC Okanagan and then her Post Bachelor Certificate in Athletic Therapy at Mount Royal University in 2023. She is now a Certified Athletic Therapist with the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association.

She credits each stage of her journey with preparing her for the next — and traces the thread back to where it started. "Starting off at OC gave me practical experience in addition to theoretical knowledge to make me successful along my educational pathway," she said.

That education prepared her for the fast-paced world of professional sports, including a stint working on the sidelines with the BC Lions during their 2023 training camp. “My experience with the Lions was great,” she said. “Although short-lived, because I was only there for training camp, it gave me the opportunity to really see what life in professional sport is.”

“The experience taught me a lot about being able to collaborate with your team to ensure everyone is on the same page,” continued Findlay. “It’s a large team of players and only a few therapists, so being able to work together to provide the best outcome for the player while communicating to all the different coaches is something you have to be good at.”

Aaron Balson, Head Athletic Therapist with the BC Lions agrees. “It requires a lot of hard work in order to keep our athletes on the field and performing at their best,” said Balson. “Athletic Therapists put in the work, dedication, long hours and are an important part of the overall success of the team. Their ability to collaborate within the medical team and have an athlete-centred approach are integral skills that contribute to their success on and off the field. Those skills are often developed long before they join the work force.” 

The role demands more than clinical knowledge. It demands presence, communication and the kind of trust that only comes from being consistently, reliably present.

"Sympathy and empathy are essential," Findlay said. "A lot of times, when one of my players gets hurt, I give them time to feel it out and say what's on their mind before I even assess what's going on. Athletic Therapists are there during the highest of highs and the lowest of lows."

Findlay’s connection to the BC Lions highlights a broader relationship between Okanagan College and the CFL franchise through Touchdown Kelowna.

When the BC Lions run onto the Apple Bowl field in Kelowna on June 27 and July 4, they will make history. It will be the first time in the franchise’s history that two regular season CFL games have been played outside of BC Place. For 10 days, Touchdown Kelowna will transform the city into an exciting hub for Canadian professional football — and Okanagan College, as the event’s presenting sponsor — will be there for all of it. 

“Touchdown Kelowna is a historic moment for our city, and it's a privilege to be part of it as presenting sponsor because this is exactly the kind of community OC is committed to: one where big things are possible and where the people making them happen often got their start right here,” stated OC President, Dr. Neil Fassina.

Fassina added, "Cassidy's career is an example of what an OC education can set in motion. She built her foundation here and carried that preparation all the way to the professional sideline. Seeing her recognized as the BCHL's Athletic Therapist of the Year, and knowing she began that journey at OC, is something we’re proud to celebrate.” 

To learn more about the Kinesiology Diploma program at Okanagan College, visit okanagancollege.ca/kinesiology-diploma.