Red Deer, October 27, 2017 – The Red Deer College Queens Hockey team always plays with a sense of purpose, but on Thursday night, that purpose and determination took on a special meaning when the team hosted their second annual Pink in the Rink fundraiser, in support of the accessible playground project at École Barrie Wilson Elementary School.
Strong fan support was a critical element at Pink in the Rink, and 892 hockey fans attended the game between the RDC Queens and the MacEwan University Griffins at the ENMAX Centrium. This set an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Women’s Hockey attendance record. With the help of Scotiabank matching funds, a total of $21,715 was raised at the event.
After regulation time and two overtime periods couldn’t decide a winner, the Griffins eventually edged the Queens 3-2 in a shootout. But the big winners on the evening were the children and the accessible playground project at École Barrie Wilson Elementary School.
“When we have the opportunity to use our game to raise awareness or funds for the community, it is a great opportunity,” says Kelly Coulter, head coach of the RDC Queens. “We want to give back to the community that supports us.”
Supporting the accessible playground project is a great fit for the Red Deer College team. “Many student-athletes work with people with disabilities, and we want to make sure that all kids have access to the same play areas,” says Coulter. “The accessible playground project is a very worthy local cause that the Queens can go see for themselves, and they are very proud to be a part of it.”
Kaely McMurtry, a fourth-year Bachelor of Education student, sees the importance of community involvement. “It’s about giving back as best that we can. The Queens volunteer in many different areas,” says McMurtry. “Some of my teammates play floor hockey with children, they read to kids, referee in the community and teach the game of hockey.”
McMurtry and the Queens see the need for the local accessible playground project. “This project is important because it’s inclusive and collaborative,” says McMurtry. “It will allow children who aren’t able to play on a regular playground to still participate.”
“Community outreach is important to our student-athletes. From attending schools, to participating in reading programs, to lending a hand, to raising funds for local charities, our student-athletes are committed to making Red Deer and central Alberta a better community. This is the second year that Pink in the Rink has given back to the community that gives so much to them and Red Deer College,” says Diane St-Denis, Athletic Director. “This year, RDC and Scotiabank chose to raise funds to help
the École Barrie Wilson Elementary School accessible playground project. Providing accessible learning and physical activity space is important to Red Deer College, as it is one of the core design elements of RDC’s new building.”
For more information on Queens Hockey and RDC Athletics, please visit rdcathletics.ca
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About RDC Athletics: Red Deer College has an impressive athletics tradition. RDC Athletic teams and individual student-athletes have won 24 National Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) titles, 151 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) team and individual titles. Our student-athletes and coaches have received countless individual honours both for academic and sporting achievement. This year, the College has more than 200 student-athletes competing in 8 sports on 17 teams.
For more information on RDC Athletics, please visit: rdcathletics.ca | twitter | facebook | instagram
About RDC: For over 50 years RDC has been proudly serving our learners and our communities. RDC offers more than 100 different programs (including full degrees, certificates, diplomas and skilled trades programs) to 7,500 full- and part-time credit students and more than 36,000 youth and adult learners in the School of Continuing Education each year. Named by Alberta Venture magazine as one of Alberta’s most innovative organizations for the Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing, RDC is a key location for applied and industry-led research. Our main campus is strategically situated on 290 acres of Alberta’s natural landscape along Queen Elizabeth II Highway. We have also expanded our learning and performing arts space into the heart of downtown Red Deer through our Welikoklad Event Centre and the Donald School of Business.
For more information on RDC, please visit: rdc.ab.ca | twitter | facebook | instagram
For additional information contact:
Brent Forster
Communications Strategist
RDC
403.342.3389
Shelley Newman
Communications Strategist – Corporate
RDC
403.342.3299
Erin Forbes
Communications Strategist – Corporate
RDC
403.342.3401
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