»¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵ

by Sherri Hogan

There is a new ?force? blowing across the Island, and it looks like a hurricane! Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵstudents and staff were on hand at the Tourism and Culinary Centre today to take part in a press conference announcing a new sports initiative at the College.

Trevor Bailey from Summerside PEI, an International Tourism and Hospitality student, and Casey Murphy from Bishop's Falls, Newfoundland, a Business Administration student, officially unveiled the new name and logo for »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵsports teams -- the Holland Hurricanes. Today's event also included the announcement that the »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵwill be entering the world of varsity sports as a member of the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) and the Atlantic Colleges Athletics Association (ACAA).

Speaking on behalf of »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵstudents was Joshawa Lamkey from Moncton, New Brunswick who is currently enrolled in the Hotel and Restaurant Management program. "This is great news for all »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵstudents. Varsity, club and intramural sports give students across the whole »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵa chance to come together and to build pride in where we all go to school."

"Schools in the ACAA have a choice of sports in which they can participate - Men's and Women's Soccer, Volleyball and Basketball, Badminton, Golf, and Cross Country Running," stated Albert Roche, Tourism and Hospitality Programs Manager. "Over the next few months, we will be meeting with students and staff to identify those varsity sports in which we will compete. The decision will be based on student demand, budget and the ability to compete." Roche went on to say that at the Club level, the »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵwill put teams forward in Men's and Women's Hockey and Men's and Women's Rugby.

Holland »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵis the first Atlantic Canadian community college to join the ACAA league. ACAA is one of 5 regional athletic conferences that are part of the Canadian »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵAthletic Association (CCAA). The CCAA is the national governing body for men's and women's college sport in Canada and is comprised of 100 members representing over 300 teams. Membership consists of a wide variety of post-secondary institutions, including Community Colleges, Universities, University-Colleges, CEGEP?s and Technical Institutes.

Participating schools in the ACAA include the Atlantic Baptist University, Mount Allison University, Mount Saint Vincent University, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, St. Thomas University, Universite de Moncton, Universite Sainte-Anne, University of King?s »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵand the University of New Brunswick.

"This is a great initiative for »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵstudents who are interested in sport and recreation at all levels whether it be intramural, club or varsity," commented Dr. Sandy MacDonald, Director of Educational Services and Programs at the College. "In addition to significantly enhancing student life, which is a »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵpriority, this also provides a great opportunity for other »¢Ñ¨ÊÓƵstudents to be involved in all aspects of sports as players, organizers and volunteers."