OACS News Service

Redeemer Christian High School purchases new track and field equipment with Try Day funding
Students enthusiastic about addition of javelin, discus and shot put
Wednesday March 3, 2010 -- Jennifer Higgs
Redeemer Christian High School students responded with enthusiasm to the school’s addition of javelin, discus and shot put thanks to receiving Try Day funding.

The Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) distributed Try Day grants of up to $800 in 2009-2010 for 280 schools to introduce a new or non-traditional sport or physical activity. The Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion supports OFSAA financially.

Geared towards Grade 9 students, Try Day aims to expose students to new sports not offered at the school and motivate them to participate in sport and physical activities.

The school’s volunteer track coaches Corrine Scholman and Melinda TeBrake spearheaded applying for the Try Day grant.

Scholman says the school started its track and field program four years ago, and there was interest to have more events added, but equipment was needed.

They applied for Try Day funding in the fall and found out a couple weeks later they received it, says Scholman.

She says the funds are a blessing, noting it can be a struggle to meet budgets so it was nice to have money that did not come from the budget to purchase the equipment.

“People are starting to recognize that Redeemer has some students that are very athletic and that just because we are a small school doesn’t mean that we should be restricted financially, so it's nice to see that too,” she says.

Try Day was held in the Nepean school’s gym Feb. 25. During class, Grade 9 students tried out the new equipment while other grades had the opportunity to participate during lunch. Sixty students out of the school’s 175 participated in the event.

Scholman says the most exciting aspect was the enthusiasm from students.

“It was great, we had so much fun,” she says.

Many students were surprised at their ability in javelin, discus, and shot put, she adds.

Michael Laliberte, the school’s athletic director, says as a direct result of the Try Day exposure more students have signed up for track and field later in the semester, noting many wanted to do the throwing events.

He says this was the first time the school applied for Try Day and they are very thankful to have received the funds.

Laliberte says receiving the grant has also been an opportunity for the school to get its name recognized, as during the Feb. 25 event a local reporter came to the school.

“I thought it was fantastic — bonus exposure that I hadn’t thought of at the time,” he says.

To learn more about Try Day funds and how to apply, click here.

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