Behind Track and Field, a new generation of volunteers

A lot went into organizing Hay River’s Track and Field after a five-year hiatus – perhaps most importantly, finding volunteers to make the event possible.

The event hadn’t been held since 2019 due to cancellations because of the Covid-19 pandemic, then a flood and a wildfire. Over time and for various reasons, the event lost a lot of the volunteers who had helped out years ago.

Tim Borchuk, who co-organizes the event with JJ Hirst, said new teachers, staff, and even Hay River students looking for volunteer hours helped out this year.

“It’s been crazy exciting because I’m seeing the younger generation start to step up,” said Borchuk.

“It’s so nice to see because us old goats are getting long in the tooth here, and we’re not as fast as we used to be. So it’s nice to see a lot of young people stepping up into the volunteer roles and taking the lead at that.”

Bailey Weber, a teacher in the town, is one of those new volunteers. She spent the three-day event managing the long jump at one of the three pits, and also spent time ahead of the event coaching her students.

“I’m just glad that the event was able to go forward this year, even though it’s a bit rainy. Lots of kids seem really happy and really excited about it, so even though it’s lots of work and it’s a bit stressful at times, it’s definitely, definitely worth it to see smiles on faces,” she said.

On Thursday morning, a nearly 30-year-old record was set at her pit when Jayden Hwata, from William McDonald School in Yellowknife, jumped 4.17m in long jump in the U13 boys category.

“The look on his face when he broke the record, that makes it worth it, for sure,” she said of volunteering, adding that seeing the scale of the event for the first time makes her even more excited for next year’s championship.

“If possible, next year with coaching, I’d like to do maybe a few more coaching sessions to get some of our students ready, now that I’ve seen the level of the competition,” she said.

Eli LePage, a high school student in Hay River, took the year off from competing to get his volunteer hours in and was helping time races.

“Apart from the pretty terrible weather, it’s pretty good. And I’m just happy to see it again, because it’s been probably five years,” he said, noting next year he’ll be back to compete in the 100m, long jump, and maybe 400m or 800m races.

Not all volunteers were new.

Bobbi and Ron Hamilton said they’ve probably been volunteering for as long as Track and Field has been a thing in Hay River.

What brings them back year after year?

“A phone call, an email, an ‘I put your name down for…’” Bobbi laughed, saying, “No, it’s a great way to get out and help the community. It’s exciting just to watch the kids, especially the little ones, you know?”

She said it’s wonderful watching how excited everyone is – from the athletes to the teachers, volunteers and parents – about the championships.

“It’s just a great event,” she said. “It sticks with you forever.”

The volunteers’ hard work has not gone unnoticed.

“All the volunteers are doing amazing work,” said Kaiah Carter, a Grade 8 student at Diamond Jenness Secondary School in Hay River. “It wouldn’t be able to happen without them.”