Trailblazer basketball session shows young athletes their 'dreams are achievable'

Thunder Bay – Two successful basketball players were back in the city on Monday to inspire young female players to stay in the sport and see what’s possible with hard work and dedication.

“Sometimes it’s hard to believe you can make it unless you see someone who already has,” said Lindsey Wachter, President of Wolves Basketball. “These girls are now seeing that those dreams are achievable, even from Thunder Bay.”

The Thunder Bay Wolves Basketball Club hosted a Trailblazer session as part of their Lead the Pack summer series, inviting former players who have gone on to play university and professional basketball to mentor current youth athletes.

“It's a fascinating opportunity for our players to connect with role models who've been in their shoes in Thunder Bay and have gone on to achieve the goals that they're trying to get to,” said Wachter.

Two alumni led the session: Karissa Kajorinne and Kali Grootenboer, both of whom started with the Wolves program in Grade 9.

Kajorinne played with the Wolves from 2009 to 2012 and then competed at Algoma University for four years. She returned to play her fifth year at Lakehead University before taking her talents overseas to play professionally in Portugal for Olivais.

Grootenboer played for the Wolves from 2018 to 2022. After a prep year in Sudbury, she earned a spot with Team Canada at the U18 level and now plays for the University of Windsor as a centre. Interestingly, basketball wasn’t always her sport.

“My mom told me, ‘You’re 6'2", you have to play basketball,’” Grootenboer said. “I had just quit hockey, so I gave it a shot, and I’ve stuck with it ever since.”

The session included on-court skill development, with both athletes running drills, demonstrating post moves, and teaching fundamentals like pivoting, sealing, and finishing around the rim.

“Even though a lot of them were guards, it’s good to learn these post skills,” said Grootenboer, who also emphasized confidence during the event’s Q&A session. “I hope they take away the message that if you believe in yourself and take opportunities, you never know how far it can take you.”

Wachter added that the program is especially important for athletes in Northern Ontario, where access to elite-level competition and role models is often limited.

The Trailblazer session is part of a broader summer initiative supported by Canadian Women & Sport and the Province of Ontario through the Next Play Project.

"Today was more on court and giving them those role models," said Wachter, "but we have upcoming sessions about mental training, movement and recovery, and one about personal strengths and leadership."