Wesmen Athletics
Community Athletic Programs Receive Donation
The Thomas Sill Foundation Announced A Generous Donation Of $75000 For The University Of Winnipeg's Community Athletic Programming..
DONATION ASSISTS YOUTH TO ‘PLAY’ TOWARDS AN EDUCATION
Thanks to a generous Thomas Sill Foundation Inc donation
UW RELEASE - 2011/100
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2011
WINNIPEG, MB - This morning on The University of Winnipeg’s front lawn, at the basketball courts and green corridor the Thomas Sill Foundation Inc announced a generous donation of $75,000.00 for UWinnipeg’s Community Athletic Programming making it the first major gift towards this program. This donation puts emphasis on inner city soccer and inner city basketball programming.“This generous donation is a direct commitment to the University’s Community Athletic program,” said Dr. Lloyd Axworthy UWinnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor. “Our location in the inner-city which makes us natural partners for our neighbors and the community-at-large. We believe youth involved in organized sports develops a sense of belonging and builds confidence that often translates into a desire and drive to pursue a post-secondary education. The University remains committed to developing plans to expand athletic programs and facilities on campus. Sports facilitate access for these students and help us close the graduation gap.”
"Winnipeg's future depends on being able to integrate inner-city youth, regardless of background and socio-economic status into the Winnipeg community,” expressed Ken Grower, Thomas Sill Foundation Governor and Vice President. “This Program allows children and young adults in the core area to break away from the cycle of poverty and to dream big. With this program they are likely to become the first in their family to complete a university degree and be mentors and leaders within their communities."
Thomas Sill Foundation
The Thomas Sill Foundation provides grants throughout Manitoba, and has been a strong supporter of the University. The Thomas Sill Foundation is a one of Manitoba’s leading foundations. The foundation provides encouragement and financial support to qualified Manitoba organizations striving to improve the quality of life in the province. For more info on the Thomas Sill Foundation, visit www.thomassillfoundation.com
Growing Community Athletics
UWinnipeg has a strong commitment to broaden athletic and community programs. Currently the Community Athletics program has over 100 participants with that number expected to triple over the next two years. This initiative reinforces the University's role as a leader in developing community, inner-city and competitive athletics. Men and Women Wesmen teams are known across Canada and have made a significant mark as champions in volleyball and basketball, and soon soccer, as the teams will compete in the CIS Soccer League beginning in 2012. Programs for both baseball and wrestling are currently in development.
Growing Community Athletics
UWinnipeg has a strong commitment to broaden athletic and community programs. This initiative reinforces the University's role as a leader in developing community, inner-city and competitive athletics.
· Currently the Community Athletics program has over 100 participants with that number expected to triple over the next two years.
· Men’s and Women’s Wesmen teams are known across Canada and have made a significant mark with over 20 championships in volleyball <http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/wesmen-mvb> and basketball.
· Wesmen soccer began its inaugural year as ambassadors for the University of Winnipeg in the local MCAC league and are current men’s and women’s champions. The program will compete in the CIS Soccer League beginning in 2012.
· Wesmen Baseball will begin its program this fall and compete next spring in the American NAIA league.
· The Wesmen Wrestling program will add university role models this fall as they begin competing in CIS events and phase in a campus and community club.
· Also new this past year was a second tier of basketball teams know as the College Wesmen playing in the local MCAC league. Volleyball will also be added this year.
UWinnipeg’s Community Athletic program
The University takes seriously its responsibility to its neighbors and the community-at-large, working to assist young people, particularly new immigrant and inner city youth, who face barriers in accessing a university education.
The Junior Wesmen is a group of Youth Club programs operated by all the Wesmen Varsity programs. These are both developmental and elite programs that provide young athletes with an opportunity to develop to their full potential. Specific inner-city basketball and soccer have been formed and have been having great success. Both baseball and wrestling programs are to be unveiled in the coming months.
The Wesmen Family also operate a large number of clinics and skills sessions throughout the year in all of their sports and in communities throughout the city and the province.
Wesmen Summer Camps
July - August , 2011
Every summer hundreds of children and teens from all across the city attend The University of Winnipeg Duckworth Centre for the annual Wesmen Summer Sport Camps. The University of Winnipeg has over 40 years of experience in offering basketball and volleyball summer camps. These camps have always featured excellent instruction by the Wesmen coaching staff, top high school coaches and elite Wesmen players.
Our Varsity programs have expanded and now our summer camp offerings have also expanded and now include BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL, SOCCER and BASEBALL
· The camps are geared for children and youths ranging from grades 1-12. The camps provide top notch instruction by members of the Wesmen coaching staff, high school coaches in Manitoba, alumni as well as present-day elite Wesmen student athletes.
· UWinnipeg focus more attention to the inner-city children that may not have a chance or be able to afford the experience of a Wesmen Summer Camp. In the past enthusiastic children from IRCOM (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba) were offered spots in week long basketball/volleyball camp sessions.
· The Wesmen also partnered with the Spence Neighborhood Association and other inner- city groups to provide special after hours camp sessions.
· Some of these children participated in sports for the very first time and they had a great time and were given a Wesmen camp shirt, a basketball or volleyball and a ticket to attend a Wesmen regular season home game.
Space is still available for week-long basketball, volleyball, multi-sport, soccer and baseball sessions. To register online and/or for more information please visit www.wesmen.ca or call (204) 786-9418.
