Quick Facts
Biography
Lara Mussell Savage is a two time world champion in Ultimate, earning a gold medal in both 2000 and 2004, as well as bronze medals in 1998 and 2008. Leading up 2010, Savage was a part of the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) as Project Manager for Aboriginal Sport and Youth, and helped run the Air Canada PGA Tour. Adding to her resume, in 2015 Savage became an ambassador for viaSport’s Gender Equity #LevelTheField campaign promoting gender equity in sport and became a Trustee for the British Columbia (BC) Sports Hall of Fame & Museum. Savage is also a member and elected Councillor of Skwah First Nation, and was awarded the Tom Longboat Award as Canada’s Female Aboriginal Athlete of the Year in 2005.
Savage was raised on the Skwah First Nation territory in Chilliwack. and completed her bachelor's degree at the University of British Columbia. Since her retirement from Ultimate in 2008, Savage has continued to be an active advocate for aboriginal athletics. Savage currently resides in Chilliwack, BC, on the Skwah Reserve, with her husband and two children.
Early life and education
Savage was raised in the Skwah First Nation of Stόlō territory in Chilliwack, British Columbia. As an amateur athlete she competed in several sports such as track & field, golf, basketball, curling, gymnastics, and Ultimate. Laura graduated from the University of British Columbia as a Wesbrook Scholar with a degree in Human Kinetics, Leisure & Sport Management. Savage's grandmother was the first female Chief of Skwah First Nation, elected in 1959, and her cousin, Kaila Mussell, was the first professional female saddle-bronc rider in North America.
Career
Savage was first exposed to Ultimate in 1992, when she was in her senior year of high school. During college Savage and her classmates entered a team in the Vancouver Ultimate League and later went on the play for the University of British Columbia varsity-club team. In 1997, Savage took the next step in her career by joining a national team that played in both American and Canadian tournaments. In 1998, her team went on to win the national club championship, earning the chance to represent Canada at the World Championship in Minnesota. She went on to help Canada achieve a bronze medal in 1998, and a gold medal in 2000. As one of the national team captains, Savage lead the undefeated team to their second gold medal in 2004. She went on to win a bronze medal once more in 2008.
After her 2008 season Savage required neck surgery, which eventually ended her athletic career. Since retirement she has been involved with the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, serving on the organizing committee (VANOC) as Project Manager for Aboriginal Sport and Youth. Savage has helped run the Air Canada PGA TOUR Championship in British Columbia, and has also been employed by the University of British Columbia in their athletics department. She has been a part of the Activity Partners Council and Chef de Mission for the Aboriginal Team BC and has become an ambassador for ViaSport’s #LeveltheField campaign promoting gender equity in sport. Savage currently sits on the board trustees for the BC Sports Hall of Fame and was recently featured in the Women in Sport Spotlight, ViaSport BC’s monthly series featuring inspirational female athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and leaders in British Columbia.