Trainer Courtney Bourne champions fitness, athletics and student-athletes at WHS

Courtney Bourne, the head athletic trainer and physical fitness instructor at Waltham High School, has developed countless opportunities for students to become physically smarter, faster, and stronger. 

Bourne started her career in athletics at WHS. She was a three-season athlete, playing soccer, basketball and lacrosse. Her competitive nature and love for fitness grew in the high school’s weight room. “Athletic training and personal training fall hand in hand,” said Bourne. Instructors and mentors from WHS helped teach Bourne the fundamentals of lifting and conditioning that continued to inspire her love of athletic and fitness training. 

After an injury playing soccer, she learned about athletic training. It combined her love of both anatomy and sports. 

After graduating high school in 2008, Bourne attended the University of New Hampshire, where she earned her undergraduate degree. She completed a master’s degree at Southern New Hampshire University. 

Returning to Waltham, Bourne has become a central part of athletics at WHS, where she’s a mentor and instructor for student athletes. 

Bourne frequently appears on the sidelines of games to provide emergency support and cheer on the Hawks. She aims to keep workouts enjoyable and competitive to keep athletes motivated. “They are a fun and light way to keep athletes motivated and in shape,” she said. She emphasizes exercises that help reduce the risk of injury. She stresses the importance of these movements, often telling students, “If you don’t move well, you don’t play well.”

During this summer and last, Bourne created a competitive showdown for female athletes, after noticing a lack of structured fitness for the girls’ sports teams at the school. “I saw the need and stepped up,” she said.

In Bourne’s Hawks Summer Showdown, female athletes compete as teams and individuals to gain the most points earned by working out. Workouts can include runs, self-guided training, games and practices or programs offered by Bourne. The showdown encourages accountability while also keeping fitness interesting and fun. Bourne caps the number of workouts athletes are allowed to do to earn points to reduce the risk of injury and allow bodies to recover, while promoting well-being and enjoyment for athletes. 

The reception from female athletes has been huge. More than 160 female students participated in the first two years of the showdown. 

Chloe Mancini is a rising sophomore who played soccer, basketball and softball during her first year at WHS. She participated in the showdown for the past two years. Mancini praised the program, saying, “This program has taught me accountability as an athlete and has also motivated me to push myself. Thanks to Courtney’s support, I entered my first high school soccer season feeling prepared.” 

Bourne is now looking to expand the showdown to male athletes. 

Bourne has also earned praise from colleagues.

Taylor Scafidi, the WHS field hockey coach, said Bourne “created opportunities for female athletes to feel comfortable in a weight room setting, which as a coach and former athlete, we know is a crucial aspect to being successful in your sport.” 

Scafidi added, “I don’t know what we would do without Courtney as both an athletic trainer and an advocate for our female athletes. She deserves a lot of credit for the success of many girls.” 

BIOGRAPHY:

Josephine Proskoczilo is a volunteer writer for The Waltham Times. She is a student at WHS heading into her senior year. She can be found playing softball, buzzing during a quizbowl match or singing in a rock band.