The Wm. E. Hay Stettler Secondary Campus’s senior basketball girls’ team has successfully fundraised through various events the past few weeks, making it possible for them to head to Cuba for a week, Dec. 14-21.
The group will be travelling as part of a cultural exchange, training and competition program, based in Havana, Cuba.
According to Coach Kim Poapst, the program is specifically designed to provide coaches and athletes with a combination of competition and training in a warm climate and the opportunity to learn about the culture, history and people of Cuba.
“Participants will meet, train and compete with Cuban student athletes and coaches at Cuban sports facilities and venues arranged by the Cuban Ministries of Sport and Education,” said Poapst. “The team will also have an opportunity to train with Cuban National Program coaches. Competitions are arranged with Cuban athletes of skill levels similar to their Canadian counterparts.”
The team has worked together very hard to bring their fundraising goal to fruition, through bottle drives and other community initiatives, according to Poapst.
“We’d like to thank all the local communities and businesses who have helped us to achieve this,” said Poapst. “We have so many to thank for this opportunity.”