Manitoba Moose Women In Sport Job Shadow Program gave women inside look into sports careers
BY: BRYCE HUNT
Andrea Cove aspires to work in a marketing role for a sports team after she graduates from Red River College Polytechnic.
Last weekend, she got an inside look into her dream job during the Manitoba Moose Women in Sport Job Shadow Program.
Cove, a Business Administration student at RRC Polytech, was one of six women selected to take part in the program at Canada Life Centre.
“I’ve never been a part of an experience like that before,” she said. “The program gave me a great insight into what some day-to-day interactions would be like if I worked a career in sports.”
The two-day program, which took place from March 11-12, was a part of the Moose Gender Equality game for Gender Equality Month. Four of the six participants were RRC Polytech students: Cove, Sierra Sanders, Delaney O’Hara, and Georgia Dalke.
Participants took turns reading advertisements over the PA, directing the graphics for the jumbotron, and managing game presentations.
Raquel Payne, community relations coordinator for the Manitoba Moose, said the goal for the project was to create awareness and inspiration for women looking to work in sports.
“We wanted to break down the barrier and idea that any woman interested in the world of sports would be limited because of their gender,” she said. “There was a lot of support as we were putting it together which was amazing to see and helped us execute the program.”
Payne said that overall the weekend was a great success.
“It was a rewarding experience to be a part of and based on the feedback we received from the participants it was helpful for them,” she said. “It was awesome to watch the women open up and show their true colours. It’s an intimidating environment to walk into but they all grew more comfortable over the two days.”
Payne said she is hoping to build on the program and bring it back next year.
If it does return, Cove said she would strongly encourage future RRC Polytech students to apply.
“Women are needed in sports,” Cove said. “This is a stepping stone to get experience, network, and work hands-on.”
Payne said she hopes the program continues to inspire young women to pursue a job in the industry.
