Media Releases/Articles
Aussies on Ice at SAIT Arena
By Billie Rae Busby, SAIT, 7 October 2010
October 7, 2010 –Aussies on ice may seem like a fish out of water, but nine exchange students and an instructor from down-under faired quite well at SAIT Arena yesterday.
“Oh my god, it was amazing,” exclaimed Christina Iliadis, an Australian student who tried out ice hockey for the first time ever. Iliadis along with her Aussie mates laced up the skates to learn about Canada’s favourite pastime.
Aside from a little bit of ankle-bending and a few wipe-outs, the students
were smiling from ear to ear.
“It was so much fun,” commented Iliadis.
“Everyone was helping us,” added Sian Fuller. SAIT Trojan men’s hockey players Joe Babey (Architecture Technologies) and Michael Jordan (Hospitality Management) assisted the students while they took their first strides on the slick surface.
The hour ice time eventually progressed into a game of shinny when many of the Aussies felt much more comfortable on their skates and with a stick in their hand.
The Australian students and faculty member are in Calgary until this weekend as part of the Global Education Network exchange. The visiting students were integrated into SAIT Polytechnic classrooms, including the architecture technologies program and hospitality/culinary arts.
“This three week cultural exchange has been a great experience for the students, but what kind of ‘culture’ are we really showing them if they don’t get to play some hockey?” commented Paul Norris, an instructor with SAIT Polytechnic’s School of Construction and former Trojan, who organized the opportunity for the eager exchange students.
The Aussies borrowed Trojan helmets, gloves and sticks and rented hockey skates for the on-ice adventure. However, the new sensation of wearing skates and using different muscles to move around was not a hit with everyone.
“My feet are cramping”, said Matt Howell, who compared the situation to an activity that he is more familiar with. “It is like when you first start surfing and you get a sore back.”
Billie Rae Busby
Marketing and Communications Coordinator, SAIT Trojans
SAIT Athletics & Recreation
Tel: 403-284-8187
Cell: 403-689-0208
Fax: 403-284-7109
SAIT Polytechnic
billierae.busby@sait.ca
www.sait.ca/trojans