Dalhousie varsity athletes give back

From weekly volunteer programs to major fundraisers, student athletes at Dalhousie University are making community involvement a core part of varsity culture.

Much of this engagement is driven by the Varsity Council, comprised of athletes on Dal’s varsity teams. The council helps athletes get involved with local community programs, including the IWK Foundation, Ronald McDonald House and the Tigers PLAY program. 

Tigers PLAY connects children with autism to Dal varsity athletes, holding weekly sport and activity sessions at the Dalplex. Allison Redfern, a third-year commerce student on Dalhousie’s swim team, is a leading organizer with Tigers PLAY and a member of the Varsity Council.

She said the council meets once a month to discuss opportunities and coordinate community involvement.

“[Varsity Council] wants athletes to show up and be engaged and participate,” Redfern said. “As a whole, all of us athletes really want to be able to give back, and represent the Tigers in that way.”

Redfern, who grew up in Bedford, N.S., said representing the Tigers is a privilege and that giving back to the community is part of that role.

“Doing this volunteer work and getting the athletes involved really creates the sense of inclusion and acceptance,” Redfern said.

Kasandra Trenke, a fourth-year microbiology and immunology student and women’s volleyball player, is also a member of the council. She’s volunteered with several community organizations throughout her university athletics career.

“[Volunteering] is super important to me,” Trenke said. 

Trenke works with Motionball, a national non-profit organization that raises funds and awareness for Special Olympics athletes at different universities across Canada. Motionball Dalhousie raised over $41,000 during its annual Marathon of Sport on March 2. 

Trenke also volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House, which provides housing for families with children in the hospital, allowing them to stay close during treatment. She previously co-ran the Special Tigers program with Redfern, which has since evolved to Tigers PLAY.

Molly Pert, a fifth-year environmental science student and cross-country runner, is also a member of the Varsity Council. 

“I love to bring people together and create an atmosphere of feeling included on the environmental side of things,” Pert said. 

Pert is a trip leader with the Dalhousie Outdoors Society, where she helps organize environmental clean-ups around the city, while remaining involved with the Ronald McDonald House. 

“I’m grateful that I’ve been able to be a part of different types of communities … and see how they also feel grateful,” said Pert.