Upgrading in Rankin
LGM committee helps improve volleyball gear at two schools
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
RANKIN INLET
Two schools received serious upgrades to their volleyball equipment thanks to committee members of the Laura Gauthier Memorial (LGM) volleyball tournament in Rankin Inlet this past week.
Committee member Reanna Sateana said the upgrades were something the committee had been wanting to do for a few years.
She said it was hard to find new nets and poles for the systems used by Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik (MUI) and Simon Alaittuq School because of their age.
"Steve Faulkner of MUI helped us find what we were looking for this year," said Sateana.
"So we ordered new nets and posts for both schools, and new referee stands were included with the order, which was good because MUI didn't have one.
"The schools are always generous in allowing us to use them for the LGM every year, and we wanted to repay that generosity.
"But, also, the equipment was running down, with knots everywhere on the nets because the strings were falling apart, and there were no cushions left on the poles."
Sateana said the schools have a limited budget every year for their supplies.
She said the committee (Sateana, Toota Tatty, Veronica Connelly and Germaine Tatty) was determined to help out by making the purchase this year.
"Jesse (MUI principal Payne) is always willing to help the local district education authority in making the dates for the LGM available to us, and we also wanted to thank him for that.
"It was something that needed to be done, and we're happy we were able to take care of it after all the two schools have done for us over the years."
Faulkner said the equipment that was replaced was, at least, 20 years old.
He said the new, more modern setup will mean less repairs and be much more reliable.
"With the new setup in place, ropes and pulleys won't be continually breaking, and we won't be stealing parts from old posts and uprights we have down in the dungeon to keep things operational," said Faulkner.
"Getting this upgrade was a pleasant surprise and give the LGM committee full credit for getting this done.
"Yes, they use the facilities, but they're also one of the organizations that always leaves out facility in top condition when they're finished their event.
"The LGM is a very well-respected tournament, and it has a well-respected committee that runs the show."
