Biography

Lesley Hawker was born May 1, 1981, in North York, Ontario, Canada.

Her mother enrolled her in figure skating lessons when she was six years old. Within a couple years, Lesley was excelling in CanSkate, a national learn-to-skate program that focuses on basic skill development.

But skating was not her only hobby. As a youngster, Lesley also took weekly ballet classes because she "loved pink and anything girly."

"When I was a kid my friends and I loved to sing," Lesley said. "We usually entered my town’s yearly talent show."

She also played competitive soccer for seven years.

"I used to be a halfback so I could control the field," said Lesley, who stopped playing soccer when she was 16. "But it gets a little more vicious when you get older and I had to protect my knees and ankles for skating, so I had to quit."

Her skating accomplishments began piling up soon after she ended her soccer career. When she was 18 years old, Lesley landed her first triple jump—a Salchow.

Two years later, Lesley qualified for her first national competition. She was 20-years-old when she finished ninth at the 2002 Canadian Figure Skating Championships.

"My first ever nationals I skated a clean short and got a standing ovation," said Lesley. "I will never forget that moment."

She has continued to improve since her national debut. At both the 2006 and 2007 Canadian Championships, Lesley won the bronze medal.

"I would like to win Canadian nationals," Lesley said about her future goals in the sport. "I would also like to be in the top 10 in the World."

Lesley won the bronze medal at the 2003 University Games, her first international competition. She also finished second at the Nebelhorn Trophy later that year.

"The best part of being a member of Team Canada is representing Canada internationally and being able to inspire younger skaters," Lesley said.

Her advice to young skaters is to "never give up."

"I didn't make nationals until I was 20," Lesley said. "I only ever made it as a senior and now I've gone on to skate in many international competitions."

Lesley, who was named the 2005 Athlete of the Year in Barrie, On., has represented Canada in more than a dozen international competitions including five events on the prestigious Grand Prix circuit.

Her ultimate goal is to make the 2010 Olympic team.

In the season leading up to the 2006 Olympics, Lesley was one of the five Canadian figure skaters profiled on "On the Edge of Glory," a CBC documentary series. The documentary is an intimate look at the skaters, their physical and psychological challenges, as the months tick by leading up to the Canadian championships, which served as the qualifying event for the Olympics.

In addition to skating, Lesley also gives motivational speeches to groups and organizations throughout the Midwest and Canada.

"I've given speeches all around, from schools, to skating clubs, to charity events," Lesley said. "I usually talk about my experiences growing up in a large family and paying for my skating expenses at young age."

Interesting Facts

"I am the oldest of ten children."

"My family has five girls and five boys."

"My mom was a recreational skater who passed her Dutch waltz."

"I didn't land my first double axel until I was 16."

"I wear contacts when I skate."

"I've had two eye operations in my life to correct a lazy eye."

"I worked for many years as a waitress at Jack Astor's in Barrie, On."

"I've been married for just over one year now."

"One day, I would like children."

"As a kid I wanted to be a nurse, television broadcaster and wedding planner."

"I would like to help with special needs kids and adults in the future."