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ECUADORIAN LAWYER AND ELITE ATHLETE AWARDED THE 2018 AISTS FUTURE FEMALE LEADER IN SPORT SCHOLARSHIP

ECUADORIAN LAWYER AND ELITE ATHLETE AWARDED THE 2018 AISTS FUTURE FEMALE LEADER IN SPORT SCHOLARSHIP

The AISTS has awarded the third annual AISTS Future Female Leader in Sport scholarship to twenty-six-year-old lawyer and elite athlete, Ana Isabel Vivar Aguirre.

This year’s recipient, Ana Vivar, is an associate lawyer, graduating from the University San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador, and has four years experience practicing law in the public and private sectors. Ana has also been an elite athlete for the past five years, competing in over fifty races internationally and nationally in mountain biking, adventure races and triathlons – her most impressive race being 27 hours in length in the Amazon jungle.  Additionally, she is also a member of the first female white-water kayak club for Ecuador and has finished two Ironman triathlons.

“Being awarded the AISTS Future Female Scholarship means a commitment to succeed and to be an example for all women who aspire to work in the sports arena. – Ana Vivar”

Ana Vivar representing Ecuardor at the Sierra Loma MTB Race

Ana has had to fight hard to prove to her mentors, educators and peers that she could succeed in both academia and sports.  “It wasn’t easy, but not because of the work load.  I was judged and repeatedly told I should either pursue only law or seek a more feminine sport”.  However, she has always been determined to prove them wrong, and she will continue to do so with this next step in her professional career.

“For the past four years I have been juggling between being a woman, a lawyer, and an athlete; and learning the value of education, perseverance, and discipline. Being awarded this scholarship has inspired me to push myself even further and work even harder . – Ana Vivar”

Ana has said she feels the responsibility to take advantage of this opportunity given to her and to immerse herself in this experience and be an active member in her new community. Ana’s passion for sports is unprecedented and she has seen first-hand the magic of sports and its irreplaceable role in society through her athletic career.  She also has a passion for equality and unity and strongly believes sport has the power to bring positive change.  Ana is known for her fighting spirit and this is something she has promised to bring with her to Lausanne later this year. 

Ana Vivar competing in the Ironman Ecuador


The Future Female Leader in Sportscholarship was established in 2011 by the June Canavan Foundation, but due to limitations in funding was ceased in 2013.  June Canavan, graduated from AISTS in 2006, tragically lost her life in a plane crash in 2009 whilst en route to the Kokoda Track.  In honour of June’s memory, the AISTS re-established the scholarship 2 years ago with the unchanged aim of awarding one woman each year who demonstrates commitment to ethical leadership in sport. The AISTS contributes to half the tuition cost of the 15-month AISTS Master of Advanced Studies in Sport Administration and Technology.  Previous recipients include Otonye Iworima, Nigeria (2016) and Carla Wuhrer, Germany (2017). 

Ana will commence the 16th edition of the AISTS Master of Advanced Studies in Sport Administration and Technology later this year in September. 

For more information about our MAS programme click here or email info@aists.org