On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the female Special Olympics athletes who inspire, lead, and break barriers within their communities. Athletes Eileen Mooney and Jenny Murray are doing just that as members of the 2026 Team Alberta all-female soccer team. Being a female in sport can come with barriers and challenges, and both of these athletes have shown incredible determination, not only in their personal achievements, but in the way they are paving the path for future female athletes.
Eileen Mooney has been an athlete with Special Olympics Alberta for eleven years. She first joined the organization because of her passion for competition and her interest in being part of an inclusive team environment. Over the years, Eileen has grown tremendously, both as an athlete and as a leader. She has competed at both National and World-level competitions and is thrilled to be attending the 2026 Special Olympics Canada National Summer Games in Medicine Hat. “Representing Team Alberta is an honor, as it comes with responsibilities and discipline,” shared Eileen. She believes that being part of Team Alberta “is not just about talent — it pushes you to become a better version of yourself on the field and off.”
Jenny Murray, a fellow soccer athlete, will also compete at the 2026 Special Olympics Canada National Summer Games. Jenny has been involved with Special Olympics in Alberta for more than 14 years. Her decision to join the soccer program stemmed from her love of the sport. She began her soccer career in a recreational league and quickly developed her skills. Her coach, Amanda Trenchard, recognized her talent and invited her to join the competitive all-female team.
Women often face challenges in sport, and this has been felt by both Eileen and Jenny. In high school, Jenny tried out for her school soccer team but didn’t feel accepted among her peers due to the lack of female soccer players at her school, and because none of them had an intellectual disability like she did. Today, Jenny uses that experience as motivation to continue participating in sport and advocating for more opportunities for women. If she could send a message to girls or women considering getting involved in sport, she would say: “You should try it! It’s perfectly normal to be nervous; nobody starts out perfect — not Christine Sinclair or Usain Bolt. Everybody starts from somewhere.”
As a woman, Eileen has also faced challenges. She has experienced “moments of self-doubt and pressure, especially around confidence and body image.” However, she works to overcome these obstacles by focusing on the incredible things her body can do. She draws inspiration from the strong women around her, including teammate Laura Dakin, who, Eileen shared, “holds me accountable and inspires me to be the best version of myself.”
At the 2026 Special Olympics Canada National Summer Games, Eileen and Jenny are proud to represent the only all-female Special Olympics soccer team in Alberta. For Eileen, being a woman in sport “means showing that women belong on the field as much as anyone else.” She adds that “being part of an all-female soccer team feels empowering. We support each other, push each other to be better, and celebrate each other's successes which creates a bond.” Jenny is equally thrilled to represent Team Alberta and shared that she is excited to “finally have the opportunity to compete in a women’s competition.”
This International Women’s Day, Eileen and Jenny remind us that sport is about more than competition — it’s about confidence, opportunity, and belonging. We can’t wait to cheer on Jenny, Eileen, and their entire team at the 2026 Special Olympics Canada National Summer Games this August.
By Naomi Eykelbosh