The KGSA is a group of graduate students, both Master’s and Doctoral, who represent the whole of the grad student body within the Department of Kinesiology. Each of the positions listed below is voted on, and each elected member sits in his or her position for a one year term (July 1st to June 30th). The remainder of the Kinesiology students who are not on the executive are general members of the KGSA. The KGSA is responsible for organizing social events, fundraisers, and intramural activities in which Kinesiology graduate students participate.

• President: Amanda Johnson
• Vice President: Faith Adams
• Secretary: Michelle Mei
• Treasurer: Matthew Badour
• Communications: Jack Bone
• Heimbecker Reps: Mikayla Lalli & Nour Al Afif
• Biomechanics & Associates Representative: Thomas Szasz
• Motor Behaviour Representative: Chloe Drapeau
• Physiology Representative: Ryan Bevington
• Psychology Representative: Aedan Rourke

All McMaster Kinesiology graduate students are automatically members of the KGSA. There is a fee-per-event charged to offset the cost of KGSA events, such as the annual Heimbecker Cup. KGSA member benefits include:

• grad representation at departmental council;
• eligibility for KGSA and Heimbecker scholarships;
• access to Luc’s Café, a student run beverage centre within Kinesiology.

Intramurals

The KGSA Royals join a number of intramural sports throughout the year such as softball, dodgeball, volleyball, and soccer. It’s a great way to meet other Kin students that you may not get a chance to work with otherwise. Summer softball (May to August) is always a highlight and incorporates students from all sub-disciplines in the department. EVERYONE is welcome to play on any team and we encourage rookies no matter what your skill level! We’re hoping to enter a few more sports activities this year, depending on the interest level, so please let a KGSA representative know if you have any suggestions.

Socials

There are a number of events organized by the KGSA that you won’t want to miss! First, we host parties for events such as Welcome Day, Hallowe’en, Christmas, and St. Patrick’s Day which all represent a great opportunity to hang out with your fellow grad students outside of the lab. There are also department events (faculty and grad students) such as the Christmas party and a summer golf tournament – always a great time! The KGSA also takes part in charitable initiatives such as the St. Matthew’s House “Adopt-A-Family” program at Christmastime, and the Relay for Life each spring. Significant others and/or friends are always welcome to join in on the fun.

The KGSA hosts the Joan Heimbecker Memorial Hockey Game every spring in which the faculty and graduate students face off against a team of undergraduate students. The Heimbecker Cup and bragging rights go to the annual winner. This event was established in 2001 and is named in memory of Joan Heimbecker, a Kinesiology graduate student who died March 1994. The charity event raises funds for the Joan Heimbecker Memorial Scholarship and the Heimbecker Bursary. We host a BBQ, a bake sale, a raffle, and other activities throughout the evening. You don’t want to miss this annual event.

In 1994 a scholarship was established in memory of Joan Heimbecker, a Kinesiology Master’s student. Each year, this $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a Kinesiology graduate student by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the Department of Kinesiology.

This bursary, valued at $1,000, was established in 2002 through funds raised at the annual Heimbecker Cup. Each year this bursary is awarded by the Department to a worthy Kinesiology grad student. Applicants for the bursary must demonstrate finanical need, defined as having an annual funding limit of $24,500.

Applications for the scholarship and the bursary use the same form, and are due each year after the Heimbecker Cup has taken place.

Applicants should:

• display a service contribution to McMaster University and/or the community in athletic, professional, or social organizations
• possess qualities of leadership
• have made a significant impact on the lives of others through such involvement, thus representing the spirit of Joan Heimbecker.

Selection criteria include academic achievements and advances, as well as community and social involvement. In the event of a tie, co-winners will share the monetary prize.