With a couple of minutes to go, Emily Moreau was face to face with the goalie, only him standing between her and the net. She stopped, took a step back, looked up and shot. She missed.
The play was not over, the puck bounced back and she had another go at it. With better aim this time but the shot was blocked.
It took three more attempts for the puck to awkwardly find its way to the net. It was not pretty but thanks to her, the Hat-Trick Heroes were only down by six goals.
The final score of 15-7 against did not seem to bother this 20-year-old water and waste water technician student. For Moreau, the recreational leagues are a great opportunity to exercise and take up time between classes. “It’s a good way to stay active,” she said.
According to campus recreation co-ordinator, Rhonda Giguere, between 600 and 700 students are registered in the recreational leagues this winter.
The selection of sports offered this semester include volleyball, basketball, floor hockey, dodgeball, soccer and touch football.
The games take place at the gymnasium, with the exception of both soccer and touch football tournaments, which are played at the dome.
The SA might be able to include more sports for more students in upcoming years. “We would be able to expand once we have a larger facility,” said Giguere. “Hoping that in the future they may build a triple gym to accommodate more teams and activities.”
Conversely, jobs for referees and scorekeepers are also available. They apply by submitting a resume and an academic timetable.
“If their schedules and experience fits into our program, we have a short interview to make sure they are qualified,” said Giguere about the selection process.
The results of this rigorous process do not go unnoticed. Scott Stranges, 23, a second-year student in the business management and entrepreneurship program, praised the work of the campus rec staff. “It’s fun and well organized,” said Stranges referring to the tournament he is currently playing.
The intramural leagues are partially funded by the SA and are organized exclusively for Algonquin students. The tournaments have been running for over four decades.