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Sealing the deal

A partnership to send Lakehead University athletes to remote First Nation communities has taken flight.
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Lakehead University president Brian Stevenson (left) and Wasaya Airways president Tom Morris sign the Reach Up!-Northern Community Sports and Leadership Program on Nov. 21, 2011. (Jeff Labine, tbnewswatch.com)

A partnership to send Lakehead University athletes to remote First Nation communities has taken flight.

University president Brian Stevenson and Wasaya Airways president Tom Morris officially signed an agreement at a media conference Monday that would allow the airline to fly LU athletes to First Nation communities to hold sporting camps.

Morris said having them fly the students out fit in with their goals as an airline by giving back to First Nation communities. He said it will cost the company a bit of money but they would have the students fly out on planes that have vacant seats.

“We are bringing something new to the communities where we couldn’t have done that before,” Morris said.

“There’s some cost to it but at the same time when you look at seat factor you’re never at a hundred per cent. It’s going to cost some money but it’s an initiative we think is worthwhile and we’re willing to support it.”

Tom Warden, director of Lakehead Athletics, helped to bring the idea to life.

Warden said they modeled the idea off an international program that had athletes go to third world countries and hold sport camps.
While some communities may not have a hockey rink or basketball court, Warden said that wouldn’t be a problem as they will cater the camp to whatever the community has.

“Sports are a non-threatening way of communicating with young people,” Warden said. “Everyone is interested in sports; everyone is interested in hockey, basketball. If you peak that interest immediately then you can communicate other messages. That’s why I think our athletes can be mentors. It just works.”

Warden said they still have to figure out when they would be flying students to the communities but added that they wouldn’t be going during important times during the school year such as when exams are held. Most likely, the teams will go during the summer months, he said.

Trevor Gamasche, who plays on the varsity hockey team, had already paid a visit to Fort Hope where he helped run a camp. The 22-year-old said he never thought when he joined the team that he would become a role model for so many people.

“It’s pretty crazy,” Gamasche said. “I knew we had a pretty big fan base here in Thunder Bay but now that we’re going to communities way up north, it’s going to really different experience.”

Gamasche said when he arrived at Fort Hope it was tough to interact with the children there because they were a little uneasy. But after a few days playing games and doing drills, they became more open to him.

He said his experience was an eye opener and was excited to go back.

“When we went up there the community was in a bit of a state of emergency as they were calling it,” he said. “It was nice to go up there and talk to the kids. It was a big event while we were there. I had the pleasure of meeting some very friendly, nice people in the community.”
 





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