Two Nova Scotians using shot put to shift perceptions in sport
For Katie Pegg, it started on an elementary school field in grade four, when she picked up a shot put for the first time and something clicked.
“It was between me and one of my friends,” she says. “I ended up out-throwing her by a little bit—and ever since then, I’ve just been in love with it.”
Born without a radial bone in her right forearm, Katie quickly discovered that sport gave her strength and confidence.
“I love showing people how strong I am,” she says. “Especially being born with a disability, people can be quick to judge. Every day, I get to go out and prove to myself and others that I can do this.”
Through her teens, Katie played a range of sports, including football on an all-male tackle team, dreaming of becoming the first woman in the CFL. But when she returned to shot put in university, her goals shifted.
That’s when she met coach Jodi Langley, who helped her see how far her talent could take her.
Jodi welcomed Katie into her training group and within weeks she encouraged her to consider para-athletics. Katie quickly went from her university team to international classification in Dubai, then to the World Championships in Japan. Finally, she made her debut at the Paralympic Games, finishing seventh in the world.
Katie says her purpose in sport is bigger than personal achievement. “The reason I play is to show that girls can compete,” she says. “And that people with disabilities can compete at the same level as our able-bodied counterparts.”
For Jodi, seeing that growth has been its own reward. “I’ve had amazing coaches in my life and some not-so-great ones,” she says. “I wanted to give back to the community and show that women can coach and be positive role models for young athletes.”
Together, she and Katie are helping to grow para-athletics in Nova Scotia, creating new visibility and opportunities for others to follow. Funding from Support4Sport has played a role in helping them get there.
Since 2006, the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation has funded athletes, coaches, officials and community sport organizations across Nova Scotia through its Support4Sport program, administered by Sport Nova Scotia. Funded by the proceeds from designated lottery products, Nova Scotians have raised more than $68 million for Support4Sport.
“It’s taken off a lot of the financial burden,” Katie says. “Balancing training, school, and work isn’t easy. Being able to have that support has been really beneficial for me.”
That support extends to coaches, too. “The reality of being a coach is that you usually have to fund your own way,” Jodi says. “Having access to funding means I don’t have to worry about the financial side of things, and I can give athletes like Katie my full attention.”
Looking ahead, Katie’s goal is clear: to reach the podium at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
“Now that I’m here,” she says, “I can be the para-athlete role model I didn’t have growing up and help strengthen the para sport community in Nova Scotia and Canada.”
