SportsLife 2015, issue 3 | Page 18

giving back to the sport I love Chantal Vachon with the President of the Winnipeg Ringette League, Paul Shipman receiving the 2015 Winnipeg Ringette League “A” division academic scholarship. Chantal Vachon Winner of the 2015 Winnipeg Ringette League’s Academic Scholarship Award – “A Division” Growing up in a fast paced world has taught me that change is inevitable. Your teams, your plays, and your skills change every season. Growing up, while playing ringette from the age of six to now being eighteen has taught me that whilst my life continues to change, my love for the game has always stayed the same. Playing on a ringette team for the past twelve years has taught me that it is one thing to join a team, but another to Katie Schoenborn with the President of the Winnipeg Ringette League, Paul Shipman receiving the 2015 Winnipeg Ringette League “B” division academic scholarship Katie Schoenborn Winner of the 2015 Winnipeg Ringette League’s Academic Scholarship Award – “B Division” I have been a player in the WRL since the age of 9. Playing ringette over the years has given me the sense of belonging to a team, has made me a better person when dealing with people 18 / sportslife feel as a member. By playing the sport, I have learned that to be a team member means being patient, accepting, and working as hard as you can to succeed together. Being a part of the Winnipeg Ringette League as a player has made me into the hard working, determined, and motivated person I am today. As a player, ringette has taught me that in life you must always work hard for what you want; and even though the end result might not always be what you wanted, knowing that you gave it your all has taught me to be proud of my accomplishments and has helped me keep my head held high. Being involved with the Winnipeg Ringette League as a volunteer has made me appreciate the sport in more ways than I thought possible. As a volunteer; I have helped at Transcona Ringette tournaments, pre-season free skates, as well as helping instruct the Transcona ringette association’s tryouts every October. Volunteering has helped me realize just how many people have been involved throughout my ringette career. Between hundreds of tournaments, tryouts, coaches and so much more; volunteering has shown me all the hard work that is put towards a player’s success. To be able to contribute towards the success of young ringette players has given me so much gratitude in knowing that my time will make a difference. By volunteering, it has taught me that not everyone is awarded a medal at the end of a season. That sometimes, helping to your full capacity means that a “thank you” should be more rewarding than a gold medal. Being involved as a volunteer has taught me that self-rewarding is key in life to stay happy and confidant in ones achievements, and to put others first is more than often rewarding enough. From grade one, to grade twelve I have encountered change every day of my life. But to be able to say that my involvement in ringette and my love for the game has always stayed the same is extremely important to me. Being involved with the Winnipeg Ringette League will forever continue to benefit my life as the bonds I have made with my teammates and coaches have been fundamental in my personal development and will be forever cherished. l and has taught me patience, respect, and teamwork. I value the time I have spent playing on a team. I have become great friends with many of my fellow team mates after the ringette season is over. The opportunity to meet new people and make new friends has been very rewarding. Once I was playing for a few years, I decided to start helping with the younger girls by assistant coaching. Although initially this was for a credit at school, I found coaching was something I wanted to continue doing, long after I completed the hours required for the school credit. Last year, I was coaching two Lorette teams. Coaching has given me another aspect of teamwork and respect. It has made me a better player and a better person. Once I was old enough to become a ringette ref, I embraced this new challenge. Being a ref has come with many challenges. Being in control of a game and having to discuss rules with coaches, players, and parents have provided me with yet another aspect of the sport. When the MRA brought in the R4U program, I volunteered to be trained as an instructor and work with the youngest girls in the program. This is truly where my love for the game really shows. The weekly instructing with the girls has given me a chance to become a leader and mentor for young girls who want to learn the game of ringette. During all of my years in ringette, I have influenced many of my friends and team mates to participate in volunteering for the younger teams. I believe this is the way to give back to the community and the great sport of ringette. I hope to be able to continue to pursue my studies at the University of Winnipeg while still allowing time to play, coach, and instruct ringette. l