This is the season that people usually associate with giving, but Portage College Voyageur student athletes are generous all year round! Since September, they have volunteered more than 700 hours by pitching in around their communities.

Being a student athlete is demanding in both time and energy. It takes commitment to strike a balance between books and time on the ice, soccer pitch or golf course. According to Sara Stonehouse, a member of the Voyageurs Women’s Soccer team, volunteering has helped prepare her for life after college. “I love giving back to the community! When I volunteer at schools I hope I’m setting a good example for the younger kids.”

Athletes have served food at Lac La Biche County’s Appreciation Night, at the Royal Canadian Legion, worked during the World Archery 3D Championships, participated in the annual Terry Fox Marathon of Hope, and supported Vera M. Welsh Elementary School students in their book reading challenge.

Not only are they good in their community and good at sports, but they’re also good sports. Soccer Head Coach Kika Mukuninwa recently accepted the 2019 Fair Play Award on behalf of the men’s and women’s soccer teams. Recipients are selected by the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) for demonstrating characteristics of fair play without question. Kika says that, “they truly embody the – can’t quit, won’t quit spirit with such respect for their opponents, officials, coaches and one another.”

Portage College student athletes will be back competing in 2020. Voyageurs Hockey and Futsal begin in January and golf in the spring.

Mike Horrigan, Sara Stonehouse, Warren McDiarmid, Riley Woodruff and Jody Cardinal volunteering at the Royal Canadian Legion in Lac La Biche

Braell Young volunteering at Vera M. Welsh Elementary School in Lac La Biche

Sara Stonehouse and Geoffrey Jones volunteering at Vera M. Welsh