PacificSport Columbia Basin is proud to recognize Aleah Smith as the Columbia Basin’s 2026 CSI Pacific PlaySafe Athlete Ambassador.
Aleah is a cross-country skier who competes in track and cross-country running during the off-season. A dedicated multi-sport athlete, she brings the same energy to training and competition as she does to cooking, mountain biking, backcountry skiing, hiking with friends, boat sports, and crafting.
Next year, Aleah will begin an undergraduate degree in Biomechanics at the University of Calgary while skiing with the Alberta World Cup Academy.
Sport has shaped Aleah in meaningful ways. Through her athletic journey, she has built confidence, developed real skills, and formed some of her closest friendships, proof of what sport can offer when it is accessible, inclusive, and grounded in genuine connection.
As a PlaySafe Athlete Ambassador, Aleah will help promote safe, inclusive, and values-based sport across the Columbia Basin. The program, delivered through Canadian Sport Institute Pacific in partnership with viaSport BC and supported by the Regional Sport Alliance, supports emerging provincial-level athletes to lead with values and share the impact of True Sport and PlaySafe within their communities.
We congratulate Aleah on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to the positive impact she will continue to make through sport, leadership, and community connection.
Program Overview
The Athlete Ambassador Program runs for 12 months from January 2026 to December 2026, bringing together a cohort of 12 ambassadors – 4 Game Plan Athlete Ambassadors and 8 PlaySafe Athlete Ambassadors. The program is delivered across British Columbia, through 8 Regional Sport Alliance centers and begins with an in-person onboarding session, followed by ongoing mentorship and workshops to support leadership development.
Throughout the year, ambassadors engage in community events, presentations, and storytelling campaigns, while being regularly featured on CSI Pacific’s social media channels to showcase their impact and journey. Further information Canadian Sport Institute Pacific.