Metro Vancouver.....To celebrate the holidays in 2014, the KPU Eagles women's soccer team wanted to bring everyone together in the spirit of giving by dedicating their time in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
In early December the Eagles and head coach Julie King spent an afternoon at 'the Door is Open' cooking and distributing food to those in need.
Eagles third-year defender Jessica Anderegg, Surrey, BC and her teammates saw an opportunity for the program as an alternative to a traditional holiday party. "Not only is it helpful for the people we were working with, but it also brings our team together being able to bond over something that isn't just soccer," she stated,"I very pleased with the amount of enthusiasm from the girls when I mentioned the idea of volunteering to them. They were on board right away and looked forward to the afternoon."
Anderegg noted that the Eagles gained great perspective and appreciation through this experience and can see community service becoming a larger part of their team culture, "It is such a good feeling to be able to give back what we can. I believe women's soccer would take on an opportunity like this again," she says, "It makes you really appreciate what you've got and I hope we have as much success with another community service project in the future."
The Eagles wish everyone a very happy holidays and all the best in 2015.
Members of the KPU Eagles women's soccer team in the Downtown Eastside
Photo Credit: KPU Eagles women's soccer defender Kathlin Trudeau
For more information on the Department of Athletics & Recreation, please contact Junelle Mah, sports information and marketing, at 604-786-0804 or at junelle.mah@kpu.ca.
The KPU Eagles Department of Athletics & Recreation enters its 14th season of interuniversity competition. The Eagles are members of the PACWEST conference and play in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with 100 student-athletes participating on eight varsity teams in men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, badminton and golf. KPU athletics plays its home games at the Eagles’ Nest (Surrey Campus), Northview Golf & Country Club, Newton Athletic Park, all located in Surrey, BC and the Ace Badminton Centre in Richmond, BC. The Eagles are active in the conference with staff members on various advisory committees and competing to host both provincial and national championships. The student-athletes are mainly from the lower mainland but KPU’s rosters have included student-athletes from North America, South America, Asia and Europe.