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Vegreville Athlete Named Finalist in Cross-Country Talent Search

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Vegreville athlete Rae-Lynn Billingsley has been named a finalist in RBC Training Ground, the Canadian Olympic Committee’s annual cross-country talent search.

Billingsley said, “Just being able to qualify is incredible, but I’m most excited to be able to meet other athletes.” She made those comments after accepting the invitation to the national final that will be held on Oct. 22 in Ottawa.

The top 100 athletes will compete at the final with the chance of being one of 30 athletes to earn funding and a place on Team Canada with one of nine partner National Sports Organizations, (NSO) and an accelerated path to the Olympics.

Billingsley, is a former hockey player and U of A student who also medaled in sprints and long jump at the 2017 North American Indigenous Games. She competed in the RBC Training Ground qualifier this past April and said making the finals, “It felt like a dream. I was so excited that I was shaking and I immediately told all my family members and friends,” said the 21-year-old, who graduated from the Faculty of Education in 2022 with a Bachelor of Elementary Education degree.

Rae-Lynn Billingsley competing during the qualifier in Edmonton.

(Dave Holland/Submitted Photo)

She did not compete in any sports during university, other than playing women’s recreational league hockey, but did become an “avid gymgoer during her time at the University of Alberta.

“I continued going to the gym and tried maintaining a healthy lifestyle.” Those definitely paid off and she said she’s received “incredible support” from her family, friends and co-workers at A.L. Horton School where she teaches Grade 4.

After qualifying for the finals, Billingsley said, “A lot of people were surprised when I told them, because they hadn’t known about the event I attended in April. Going to Ottawa wouldn’t be possible without the support system I have.”

The 30 athletes selected for funding will be announced following a nationally televised special documentary later this fall. Funding is administered by the participating National Sport Organization bringing the athlete into its system, and is used for things like coaching, transportation, travel, equipment and nutrition.

St. Mary’s Catholic School Prepares to Host ASAA High School Boys 1A Provincial Volleyball Championship

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

At the beginning of July, St. Mary’s Catholic School in Vegreville was awarded the bid to host the Alberta Schools Athletic Association (ASAA) High School Boys 1A Provincial Volleyball Championship this November.

The Co-Chairs for the Championship are Assistant Principal Mr. Murphy and Physical Education teacher Curtis Paulichuk.

The Head Coach is Mr. Manderson. Mr. Murphy explained, “Historically St. Mary’s has had a strong Volleyball program. The 1A bid was open and it was discussed among the school community that it would be a fantastic opportunity to host. It will be the first time in St. Mary’s history that we would have hosted atournament of this magnitude. It is a rare and privileged opportunity that can resonate in our school and the community of Vegreville for years.

“It will include the top 10 teams of 1A Boys in the province. Boys are chosen by designations province-wide that are based on the average number of students per school. For example, it would be unfair for a school of fewer than 100 students to compete against a school of 2500+ students. 1A represents the category of students that attend schools with an average of under 100 eligible student-athletes in grades 10-12. There are 7 zone champions from around the province that are awarded a spot with 2 wild cards given to the 2 most competitive zones that send the second place team from their zone and one host designation.

The boys who will be participating in the 1A Provincials:

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

There are 10 players on the team this year that range from Grade 10-12,” Mr. Murphy said.

When asked how they will prepare their boys, Mr. Murphy replied, “To ensure our volleyball players aim to do their best, our athletes have devoted hours of their extracurricular time to fitness, skill development, and competition throughout the months of September - November. Their coach Mr. Manderson is dedicated to the sport of Volleyball and has been for many years. This year’s team is well balanced with veteran Grade 12 leaders as well as some stellar athletes that are joining the team in Grade 10,” Mr. Murphy added.

Mr. Manderson added to ensure that the boys are the best is half physical and half mental. “The boys are physically in great shape and are good athletes but mentally, it is a lot of work to gain confidence and it is a lot of work to go to tournaments to challenge them. We don’t go to a lot of tournaments where they can just win easily as I purposely want them to lose so that they start to learn what to do when they are in a stressful situation. They know that anything that happens in September and October is just practice. Our goal is to prepare for Provincials in November and be the best we can be then.

I believe our school was chosen to host this championship because we renovated our gymnasium a few years ago. The town of Vegreville hasn’t had a chance to host something like this for a while.” Mr. Manderson explained.