In 2021 the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women's soccer team launched the Goal-A-Thon Community Initiative. The initiative aims to turn financial support for the program into support for the community through acts of service provided by student-athletes, coaches, and support staff within the program.
Fans are invited to pledge a dollar amount for each goal scored during the Canada West season (14 games + playoffs). For every goal scored, the Huskie Women's Soccer team will give back to the community with an act of service. For example, if fans pledge $5 for every goal scored this season, and the Huskies score 26 goals, that will mean a donation of $130 at the end of the season. The Huskies would then give back to the community 26 times. Donations above $20 are eligible for charitable tax receipts.
"When we started about three years ago it was really an opportunity for us to to do two things at once," said Huskie women's soccer head coach Jerson Barandica-Hamilton. "The first is to generate funds for our program, which helps us immensely in the off-season to offset costs with non-conference travel, nutrition, team gear, GPS trackers, and video cameras that we utilize for training. The second was to instill the values of wanting to give back to the community after receiving that support. So now every time that someone pledges a amount of dollar for goals that we score as a program, we commit to doing one act of service in our community. We want to be a team that not only just performs on the field but also is known for giving back in the Community and being really good role models for Saskatoon and the up and coming young players in, in our community."
In 2023, the initiative provided the Huskies with the opportunity to
provide 31 acts of service to their community. The success of the project can not only be credited to the team's play on the pitch, having scored 84 goals since 2021, but also the commitment by each member of the team to giving back."
"Goal-A-Thon has definitely improved by Huskie experience," said Nammi Nguyen, a third-year midfielder. "I grew up in Saskatoon, but the opportunity to go out and help the community through different initiatives, like helping out at the Ronald McDonald House, or teaching youth gym classes has really made me feel ingrained in the community. It really makes you feel great to be able to help spread some joy and enjoy yourself with members of our community."
"Growing up, my brother was a make-a-wish kid, he has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, so we always had a lot of charitable initiatives benefiting my family," said Daraida Sutherland, a second-year defender. "We've always had a big community helping us out. Whether that be friends or family supporting us in fundraising events, the Make-A-Wish foundation, or a variety of other foundations. It always felt like I had a lot of support from the community and I saw what that could do for my family. So joining Huskie women's soccer, it was a big draw for me that we do a lot of work in the community. It feels good to give back having been on the receiving end before."
"There's a lot of funding that is required to run a soccer program," continued Sutherland. "You might not see it but behind the scenes there's coaches to pay, travel, meals, and off-season training trips, which are really important for us to be able to perform at a high level. Women's soccer is booming right now and by supporting us to train at a high level you could be supporting the next stars of Canadian women's soccer while also helping us to give back, it's a win-win scenario."
If you are interested in supporting the Huskies Women's Soccer Goal-A-Thon, click
here to donate online or contact head coach Jerson Barandica-Hamilton at
jerson.barandica-hamilton@usask.ca or via the team's social media channels. In addition, sign up sheets will be available at all home games starting with the Huskies 2024 home opener on September 7 against the MacEwan Griffins.
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| Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Radiothon |
| Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Radiothon Day 2 |
| Her Mark women's Summit |
| Blue Cross Enchanted Forest |
| Blue Cross Enchanted Forest Day 2 |
| Santa Claus Parade Float Decoration |
| Santa Claus Parade Walk/Ride |
| November Huskie Homeroom |
| Bread Delivery to Dream Broker Schools |
| Motionball #NoGoodWay Pledge |
| Puchase Smile Cookies in support of the food bank |
| Cheering on Aurora Rangers & Alumni Erika Whyte |
| Christmas Hampers |
| Christmas Cards for Seniors |
| Toasty Toes Sock Drive |
| Christmas Cards (Creative Foundation) Dec. 17 |
| Donate Blood |
| Purchased treats in support of Children's Hospital Foundation |
| Volunteering at the Princess Shop |
| Dress for Success Spring Sale |
| Youth Event for Global Gathering Place |
| WDM Christmas Cleanup |
| Wanuskewin Winter Festival |
| Packing Canpotex Cheer Crates |
| Indigenous Women's Empowerment Summit |
| SCAT Rescue Bake Sale |
| Shovelling Neighbour's Driveways |
| Q&A with King George Students |
| Ronald McDonald Home for Dinner |
| Day in the Life of a Huskie |
| Training with Saeta U11 Girls Futsal Team |
