Soccer students prep for Spain
International trip puts students to work fundraising $51,000
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, May 26, 2016
ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD
Thirteen soccer students at Echo Dene School in Fort Liard are hard at work raising money for a team trip to Spain in 2017 - the first trip of its kind for the school.
Chase Berreault, left, joins Tyrone Berreault and Leona Berreault at one of the concession stands. - photo courtesy of Sarah Hammond
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Through movie nights, Bingo games and concession sales, youth have been fundraising since September - their goal is $51,000.
The trip will take them to Barcelona and Madrid during a 10-day guided tour. While in Spain, students plan to attend a professional Madrid soccer match, play and practise with a local Spanish team and take daily tours.
Teacher and soccer coach Sarah Hammond said the students have just recently surpassed $22,000. They have received donations from the school and hamlet, with possible donations coming in from the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs as well as corporate donations.
Hammond said the idea for the trip germinated from a discussion she had with Hay River's soccer team which was also planning a team trip. However, after Hay River's plans changed, Echo Dene School decided to go out on its own.
"I kind of decided, because I'd told some of the kids and (knew) how excited they would be to go to Madrid, which is where some of their favourite soccer teams are from," she said.
"I said, 'You know what? Let's do it on our own.' I told them we've got to fundraise ... and the kids were very into it."
Although $22,000 is a far cry from $51,000, it is still a big chunk of cash to have raised in the eight to nine months the soccer team have been fundraising, Hammond said.
"We've done really well. A lot of kids are involved. All of them have been contributing to fundraising and helping with setting up, staying and selling concessions throughout the movies and Bingos," she said.
The per-student cost for the trip is $3,713, which includes tour fees, hotels, flights and travel between cities.
With few work-related opportunities in the hamlet, Hammond said, the team's fundraising efforts contribute to more than just the school trip.
"There aren't many jobs they can have in Fort Liard, so this is also an opportunity for them to pick up those work skills and work ethic. It's been really great," she said.
"I think it's taught them a lot of valuable things."
The team's next fundraiser is May 29, at which point youth will be holding a screening of Kung Fu Panda 3 in the school gymnasium.
