“It’s all about learning, educating and continuing to provide opportunities”

Lead by example.

You have likely heard that expression somewhere coming from an elementary school teacher, a boss, friend or even family member. Somewhere along the way, Jacky Beckford-Henriques has heard it, too.

In her case, she’s not just listening, but doing something positive about it.

Beckford-Henriques is head coach of the swim program at the University of Waterloo and is responsible for nurturing the development of individuals wanting to pursue career goals in the sport. Simply put, she is seen by many as a woman who has been a pioneer, a leader, and a role model in the world of swimming.

The 63-year old will tell you that she wasn’t much of a swimmer in her youthful years growing up in Jamaica, but what has made this woman a gem has been her contribution to the sport in many other ways. A product of two fantastic role models, with her mother being an elite athlete and her father involved in officiating in swimming administration. You also won’t find her boasting about personal awards, and achievements.

Her journey is inspiring young Black girls to participate, get involved and maybe, just maybe, the opportunities will lead to something big.

“When I go to a swim meet, I can count the number of swimmers who are Black in Canada – there aren’t many at all and that gets me frustrated,” said Beckford-Henriques, who, as a swimming coach, is just one of many women who have accomplished great things in sport.

“That has to change. Young people need to become more involved. They need role models and I will continue to do what I can to make that change and improve the current landscape.”

Educated in England, she attended the University of Sussex to study physical education as well as earn her teachers accreditation. She went on to enhance her education with Recreational Management at the University of Michigan. Beckford-Henriques then hit the classroom, but this time as the educator and became a physical education teacher in Jamaica before coming to Canada in 2014.

As for swim credentials, let’s start with certification from both the Canadian and American Swim Coaches Association. As if that wasn’t enough, how about coaching the Jamaican National team from 1984 to 2016 with three stints at the Summer Olympic Games of 2000, 2004 and 2008 as well as leading the Caribbean country swim teams to multiple World championships, Pan Am and Commonwealth Games.

As a former Coach of the Year in Ontario University Athletics (OUA), Beckford-Henriques was an assistant coach at McMaster University in Hamilton for three years. Then, came the fantastic opportunity at Waterloo, and the glowing remarks that followed since she began in 2017.

Beckford-Henriques has been a change-maker in the Waterloo Region, always looking for ways to bring people together to address issues that matter to them. They include everything from fairness and honesty to admittance and involvement. In her case, the route is via swimming.

“This might sound hard to believe, but there are young people who have just never been given an opportunity to do things – like learn to swim,” she said. “They come from households that cannot afford lessons and have had a variety of difficulties. Given some hope and time, I have seen accomplishments by young Black girls – things like swimming 15 metres for the first time – and, with it, that look of success.”

With the help of a grant from the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation and the University of Waterloo providing free use of the pool in the Athletic Department once a week, Beckford-Henriques and the varsity team have run a Saturday evening learn to swim program for Black women and girls. It also serves as a social opportunity and one that involves motivation and inspiration.

“We launched this program last summer and it was a major success,” she said. “My goal is to also approach swim clubs and encourage them to look for opportunities that involve young Black, Indigenous and people of color in various program – and even as lifeguards.”

In 2021, Beckford-Henriques was named one of the top 150 most powerful women by the Women’s Executive Network who scan the private, public, and not-for-profit areas across Canada. The award recognizes outstanding women across the country who advocate for workforce diversity and inspire tomorrow's leaders.

Beckford-Henriques helped develop “The Alliance”, an anti-racism group at the University of Waterloo working towards educating members of the community-at-large on equity, diversity, and inclusion. But her work has gone far beyond the Kitchener-Waterloo region.

She is a member of the Swim Ontario committee focussing on equity, diversity, and inclusion. With the OUA, she serves on the Black, Biracial, and Indigenous committee of the working to create inclusion and eliminate racism across university sport across the province.

“It’s all about learning, educating and continuing to provide opportunities,” said Beckford-Henriques. “This December, and for the third time, the Waterloo varsity team will do their Winter training camp in Jamaica where local swimmers will join them in the pool practices as well as for academic tutoring sessions. It will be a learning experience for all.”

Be it in the pool or in face-to-face comments, words of praise reverberate from athletes, officials and those who know her, about a genuine sense of kindness and humility that resonates with Beckford-Henriques and that gifted ability to make a positive contribution to society.

David Grossman is a veteran award-winning Journalist, Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star, SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.