Winning Streak on the Road
Spartans’ most important road trips come in the off-season
For many Spartans athletes and coaches, the summer of 2011 was inspiring, uplifting, and truly an unimaginable experience. And it had nothing to do with goals, points, or on-field success. Three teams served local communities in various international locations: the men’s soccer team in Benin, the women’s volleyball team in Paraguay, and the men’s basketball team in Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro.
In partnership with Global Aid Network, the men’s soccer team spent two weeks in the West African nation of Benin, building wells, running soccer clinics, and helping construct a church. The team helped build four wells, each providing clean water to roughly 1,000 people.
This trip and these experiences will be a great motivator to work hard and take advantage of the opportunities and abilities we have been given.
The trip not only had a positive impact on the participating communities, but it was also an opportunity for each team member to enrich his view of the world. “It is life-changing to see people who have so little be so happy,” says TWU Men’s Soccer Coach Pat Rohla. “It changes our perspective and gives us an appreciation for what we have here. And it gives us the incentive to go and do more.”
The experience is sure to have a lasting effect on the team. “There will be a really strong bond in a lot of different ways,” Rohla says, “both on the field and off.”
While the men’s soccer team was in Africa, the women’s volleyball team partnered with Athletes in Action in Asunción, Paraguay. The team served in nutrition centres, orphanages, churches, and anywhere else they saw a specific need; and, in doing so, shared God’s love through their words and actions.
The experience brought the team closer together. “We now have a totally new perspective on Western wealth,” says third-year middle Lindsay Dykman, “and, having seen extreme poverty, it’s hard to justify how we live.”
Shortly after the men’s soccer and women’s volleyball teams returned, the men’s basketball team embarked on a two-week trip to Europe where they assisted at several orphanages, volunteered in an institute for people with paraplegia, and helped run local basketball clinics. Once again, it was a chance to bond as teammates through helping others.
“It was just a humbling experience,” says Spartans point guard Tristan Smith. “It’s not like these people asked to be in these situations. It showed us how blessed we really are. As we start our new season, this trip and these experiences will be a great motivator to work hard and take advantage of the opportunities and abilities we have been given.”
by Mark Janzen
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