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Kelsey Kisilevich is One of Five Official Referees for International Basketball

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Kelsey Kisilevich is a Kindergarten teacher at A.L. Horton Elementary School who lives on a farm outside of Lavoy. She has her Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) certification which makes her qualify to be a referee in World Athletics Championships.

Kelsey explained her journey in the world of being a local, national, and international referee. “I have refereed basketball for 20 years now, ever since I was in Grade 11 in 2003. I started officiating junior high games after school as basketball practice did not start until later in the evening. I lived on a farm and stayed in town until practice started, so Roy Mills who is in charge of basketball officials in our area, got me started.

I refereed with the VBOA, (Vegreville Basketball Officials Association) and worked high school games for several years and began going to provincial high school tournaments. After doing that for a few years, I attended an officials’ camp where they teach you how to become a better referee using video break down to help you improve. I was then put on the roster to referee college basketball in Alberta. The following year, I was put on the Canada West (university) officiating panel.

Kelsey Kisilevich.

(Kelsey Kisilevich/Submitted Photo)

In 2017, I received an email to try out for my international accreditation. This is called your FIBA certification, (Federation of International Basketball Association). This is international basketball, such as the Olympics and World Cup. There are only 14 officials from across Canada who have this FIBA certification and there are only five women.

Shortly after receiving my certification I received an assignment in Mexico City for the Women’s U18 FIBA Americas Championship. When COVID hit, a lot of basketball, unfortunately, was postponed or seasons cancelled.

But last year I attended three international tournaments: U18 Women’s FIBA Americas Championship in Bueno Aires, Argentina, COCABA Women’s Championship in Chihuahua, Mexico and Women’s Centrobasket in Chihuahua, Mexico.

For this summer, 2023, I have been asked to attend Caribbean and Central American Championship in El Salvador and Americup in Leon, Mexico.

Kelsey Kisilevich is the first referee on the left.

(Kelsey Kisilevich/Submitted Photo

When questioned how the progress in basketball in Canada differs from other places in the world, she replied, “Canada has made amazing progress in the talent and caliber of basketball within the country as well. The CEBL, (Canadian Elite Basketball League) started in 2019, which is the Canadian professional league. Edmonton has a team, (Stingers) and Calgary, (Surge) is new to the league this year. I am also an official in this league, where I am also one of only five women.

Toronto is host to a tournament called Global Jam where I officiated last year and did the women’s final. In addition, I have been to the USports Women’s National Championship for six consecutive years where I worked in 2017 in Victoria, 2018 in Regina, 2019 in the Toronto Gold Medal Game, 2020

at the Ottawa, Gold Medal Game, 2022 with Kingston, Gold Medal Game, 2023 in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia at the Gold Medal Game.”

When asked what she felt she gained from all these experiences and if she would recommend others to do this, she admitted, “I really hope that young people, specifically young girls can see the opportunities that officiating has to offer. It is truly a passion, and has given me confidence and skills that transition into my professional career as a Kindergarten teacher. It is wonderful that we now live in a world where women are lucky enough to be able to have a career as well as pursue other hobbies and passions too! Refereeing has given me opportunities to travel the world and be part of the game at a level I could never have reached as a player. It is truly a passion where I have been blessed to make lifelong friendships as well.”

Vegreville U11 Panthers and Vegreville U11 Canadian Fire Action Packed Soccer Game

These young soccer players put a lot of effort into practicing their skills while having fun at the soccer game on June 7 at RJV Soccer Field in Vegreville.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

These young soccer players put a lot of effort into practicing their skills while having fun at the soccer game on June 7 at RJV Soccer Field in Vegreville.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

These young soccer players put a lot of effort into practicing their skills while having fun at the soccer game on June 7 at RJV Soccer Field in Vegreville.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

St. Martin’s Catholic School Track and Field Day Runs Again

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

An exciting day of physical activities of racing, ball throws, long jump, high jump and soccer was available to 210 students at St. Martin’s Catholic School on June 9.

The students taking part in the various track and field stations.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Principal Joe Kucy explained that they thought it would be good to get back to a place after COVID where they had an event for the whole school to participate in. “We thought this was a good way to support physical activity and it gives the kids the ability to get into an active role of running, jumping, and just being a good teammate.

The students taking part in the various track and field stations.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

The students taking part in the various track and field stations.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

We had a track and field event before pre-COVID for our grades four to six’s students but we decided to do one for kindergarten to grade six’s students because it is good to have all the kids participate in it.

I think it turned out well. Our weather was fantastic and the parents were really happy and the kids were all smiling at the end.”

The students taking part in the various track and field stations.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

The Grade Five students taking part in high jump.

(Lisa Salsbury/Submitted Photo)

U19 Boys’ Teams Compete in a Satisfying Game in the Sunshine

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Lakeland United U19 Boys competed in a game of soccer against the Vermilion Strikers at the RSV Soccer Field in Vegreville on June 7.

Lakeland United U19 Boys Head Coach Jose Teixeira explained, “The Lakeland United has the following boys on our roster: four players from Bonnyville, six players from Lac La Biche and six players from Vegreville.

The score for the June 7’s game was 4-3 where Lakeland United edged out Vermilion Strikers 4-3.

Lakeland United team are progressing well, it’s challenging with the travel distance between the communities to have practices as a team, and players are practicing in their communities with a younger age group. Due to the smoke we had a game cancelled which we plan to rescheduled to a later date.

The highlights for this evening were with no substitutions for the game we still managed to play the game in a fair manner and keep our discipline in the game, with that in mind the referee gave some water breaks during the game as per ASA regulations, and that seemed to keep our players ready for anything that the Vermilion U19 Boys put against our team.

Both teams played a fair game and were respectful of each other, it is great to see that all players were having fun when playing against each other.”

VWF 10th Annual 3D Archery Fun Shoot

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Over 100 archers participated in Vegreville Wildlife Federation (VWF) 10th Annual 3D Archery Fun Shoot at the VWF Outdoor Range on June 10 and 11.

Jamie and Valerie Lowes were the Coordinators for this event. Jamie Lowes is also the VWF President/Youth Archery Coach.

Valerie explained that this was a family friendly event, “The archers ranged in age from six to over 60 and they were from across Alberta & even a few people came from Saskatchewan.

Youth archers.

(Briana Ropson/Submitted Photo)

This event gives a different aspect of archery (some people use 3D shoots to help with their hunting skills while practicing, some do it for fun and some it was their first time participating in this 3D event or any archery competition) and it is learning another aspect of archery.

Youth archers learned different aspects of archery as well as determination, endurance, volunteerism, working as a team and as an individual.

The archery shoot is marked yardage with 24 targets, the course is set up around the VWF outdoor gun range. We have a novelty shoot off for adults & one for youth (with donated prizes for both) we also had a concession on site. All proceeds go towards the VWF youth archery program, as well as the Vegreville Wildlife Federation’s conservation, education, hunting, fishing, wildlife programs. This is one of the club’s bigger fundraisers.

Youth archers.

(Valerie Lowes/Submitted Photo)

The comments from people were on how they love our event (how well the course was set up, the good job the people organizing it did, how we promote and support the youth archery in the area). We have some of our competitors come every year for the last 10 years and they plan on coming to every future event

Because this is a fun event, score isn’t the priority -but if competitors want to keep score (for themselves or in the group they are more than welcome to). We want everyone to enjoy the sport of archery and the aspect of being outside in nature practicing their skills and learning new things while meeting new people.

This event was started by a few individuals when the VWF created the youth archery program in hopes to help teach the kids and their families about different aspects of archery.

Spectators watching the youth novelty shoot-off.

(Valerie Lowes/Submitted Photo)

The 3D archery shoot is organized by a group of volunteers (consisting of VWF Executive Members and Archery Parents as well as youth archers) and wouldn’t be possible without the volunteers & sponsors.

Every year we have a Food bank donation drive on site so that we can support the local Vegreville Food Bank Society (this is so we can support the community that support our club and programs)

Jamie Lowes has been one of the organizers since the very beginning of the VWF Archery Program.”