Orillia Student Affairs - Athletics and Recreation

Orillia Campus Expands Athletics With Introduction of Varsity Outdoor Soccer Program

Student-athletes practice under the lights of the artificial turf field at the West Orillia Sports Complex.

 

Student-athletes practice under the lights of the artificial turf field at the West Orillia Sports Complex. The field will host home matches for Lakehead's men's and women's outdoor varsity soccer teams.


Orillia, Ont. – Varsity outdoor soccer has been added to the growing athletics lineup at Lakehead University’s Orillia Campus, providing new opportunities for student-athletes to engage in competitive-level sport.

Led by head coaches Briesk Kouji (men) and Brodie Brown (women), the Orillia Thunderwolves men’s and women’s outdoor soccer programs will kick off their first season in the Ontario Colleges Athletics Association (OCAA) on September 5. The Orillia Thunderwolves also compete in the OCAA in indoor soccer.

“It is a great step forward for Lakehead Orillia and the Orillia Thunderwolves varsity sport program,” said Dr. Chris Glover, Associate Vice-President, Administration. “We are excited to expand and enhance the student experience and our athletic program offerings with the addition of men’s and women’s varsity outdoor soccer. We look forward to cheering on our teams in their first season.”

Through a partnership with the City of Orillia, the West Orillia Sports Complex on University Ave. will host home matches and serve as the team's training facility. The addition of a brand-new scoreboard at the southwest end of the field only enhances the experience for student-athletes, coaches, and supporters.

“Access to the City’s facilities gives our student-athletes the space and support they need to train while strengthening our connection to the community,” explained Dr. Glover.

“Orillia is thrilled to support Lakehead University as it launches its new varsity men’s and women’s soccer teams,” said Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac. “With the City’s brand-new scoreboard, we’re excited to welcome these teams to their new home at the West Orillia Sports Complex. We look forward to seeing these young athletes thrive and create lasting memories during their time in Orillia and at Lakehead University.”

The first official home matches are scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 7, at the West Orillia Sports Complex.

Cheer on the Orillia Thunderwolves this season!

Lakehead University welcomes spectators and fans to cheer on our student-athletes at the West Orillia Sports Complex! The full list of Orillia Thunderwolves outdoor soccer home games can be found at orilliathunderwolves.ca.

 

Keywords: 
Lakehead Orillia
Athletics
Varsity Athletics
Outdoor Soccer
soccer

It's Your Move: Fall4Fitness Challenge

Have you fallen off your fitness routine at the start of the semester? No worries, we’ve got you covered! Join us for a 6-week fitness challenge designed to help you get back on track and feel your best.

The Goal: Complete 4 workouts of at least 30 minutes each week. Whether it’s hitting the gym, playing intramurals, attending a fitness class, or even a brisk walk—any activity counts! This challenge is all about building consistency and finding what works for you.


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ORILLIA: Varsity Kickoff

Lakehead Orillia Athletics & Recreation are welcoming students back to campus at the 2024 Varsity Fall Kick-Off at the West Orillia turf field at 100 University Ave, Orillia, ON. The game time is 7:00 PM on Thursday, September 5th, 2024.

Come out to cheer on our Varsity indoor soccer athletes as they faceoff in a mixed-team inter-squad match. Learn about how you can get involved with Athletics & Recreation, meet Wolfie, and show your Thunderwolves pride!


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It's Your Move 100 Hour Challenge

The It's Your Move Crew are running back our summer-long challenge to log 100 hours of physical activity but we've added a new wrinkle- not only will we be tracking your progress, we'll also be tracking which faculty or department is leading the way!

If 100 hours is too rich for your blood- don't worry we'll be celebrating those who hit 25, 50 and 75 hours over the course of the summer. 


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Lakehead Orillia celebrates achievements at 2023-24 athletic awards

April 5, 2024 – Orillia, Ont.

Lakehead University’s Orillia Campus celebrated a successful 2023-24 athletics season on Thursday, April 4, handing out awards at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet.

Paige Galbraith walked away with the Female Athlete of the Year, with Jonathan Aronov claiming Male Athlete of the Year. Bethany Foster received this year’s Principal’s Award for leadership in athletics.

“Congratulations to all of the award winners, exceptional student athletes, and coaches on a successful season,” said Drake Aldred, Coordinator of Athletics and Recreation. “The annual awards banquet is an opportunity to gather and highlight all of the hard work that goes into the season; your commitment to academics and athletics is remarkable and we look forward to witnessing your continued success as student-athletes.”

Most valuable player and rookie of the year were also announced and presented to top athletes in each of the University’s sports teams: men’s and women’s hockey, dance, and men’s and women’s varsity indoor soccer.

For a full list of awards, please see below:

Major Award Winners

Female Athlete of the Year
Paige Galbraith, Varsity Women’s Indoor Soccer

Male Athlete of the Year
Jonathan Aronov, Varsity Men’s Indoor Soccer

Principal’s Award
Bethany Foster, Varsity Women’s Indoor Soccer

Team Awards

Men’s Varsity Indoor Soccer
MVP: Alec McNeil
Rookie of the Year: Domenic Pecchia

Women’s Varsity Indoor Soccer
MVP: Alison Birkett
Rookie of the Year: Hannah Szeplaki

Men’s Extramural Hockey
MVP: Ryan Graff-Sakasov
Rookie of the Year: Desmond Kropf

Women’s Extramural Hockey
MVP: Rachel Poole
Rookie of the Year: Alexandra Walker

Dance
MVP: Reese Chamberlain
Rookie of the Year: Alexis Sheppard

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Keywords: 
Athletic awards
Student athlete award winners

It's Your Move BINGO Challenge

The It's Your Move Crew has a new fall challenge this semester! Each week we'll post a new bingo card with physical activities and you'll try to complete a line. Each line completed will equal an entry into a prize basket with Lakehead gear.  


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It's Your Move 100 Hour Challenge

The It's Your Move Crew are running back our summer-long challenge to log 100 hours of physical activity between May 15 and September 3. If that many hours seem out of your league- we will also be celebrating each 25-hour milestone along the way with Lakehead swag.

You log your activities into our Strava group and we will provide updates, encouragement and resources to help you hit your goals and you can connect and cheer on your fellow Thunderwolves.


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Orillia Campus Fitness Guide 2021

Your campus fitness guide

Whether you’re looking to be active, meet new people or explore new hobbies, Lakehead has plenty of options. Here are some ways to get involved if you want to get moving this year.

On-Campus Options

Fitness Room

All current Lakehead Orillia students can access the fitness room, regardless of whether they are learning on or off-campus. Only those who have signed and submitted the risk and liability waiver will have physical access to the room.

Turf Field

This year, Lakehead Orillia students have access to the turf fields at the West Orillia Sports Complex for open field use. WOSC offers a full-sized, lit artificial turf field. Perfect for all kinds of outdoor sports and activities, students are encouraged to get active and make use of this space this fall! The WOSC (at Rotary Place) is located at 100 University Avenue, right next door to our campus.

Starting September 23rd, until November 4th, 2021, the fields will be booked for Lakehead students every Thursday evening from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm.

Virtual Offerings

If you’re looking for a fun way to connect with fellow Thunderwolves check out our virtual fitness programming:

It's Your Move 5x5 Challenge

  • If getting back into school mode has messed up your fitness routine- or it was never much of a routine to begin with- get moving with the 5x5 challenge. Challenge yourself to log 5 days of activity (of at least 30 minutes) for 5 weeks starting on September 27.

  • This program is open to current students, staff, faculty, and alumni from either Campus. Students who complete the challenge will get a sticker recognizing their success and all participants who log activity during the challenge will be entered into a prize draw with the winner announced in November.

  • For more information on the 5x5 Challenge, visit the Student Health & Wellness Events page.

Teachers on the Move

  • Teachers on the Move is a Professional Year BEd student-specific program. Download the Strava app and complete monthly individual and cohort challenges for a chance to get active in creative ways, gain valuable skills and resources...and of course, there are prizes available too! 

  • Teachers on the Move has connections to the Ontario Health and Physical Education curriculum and will help to foster a sense of community among the Lakehead BEd students virtually, as you all continue to study online this year. This Strava club was made so that you can encourage one another and hold one another accountable while studying at home, so comment, give kudos and upload your activities!

  • To sign up, fill out the Teachers on the Move Registration Form.

 Get outside

Living in Orillia means you have access to some of the most scenic natural areas in Ontario, right in your own backyard! If you’re interested in getting outside this semester, check out some of the resources below:

  • Campus Trails: You don’t even need to leave campus to enjoy the beautiful scenery- check out our campus trail map.

  • Hiking in the area: There is no shortage of parks, conservation areas and trails in the area, with some only a bus ride away, use the alltrails app to plan your route in advance.

  • Equipment Borrowing: All Lakehead Orillia Students are entitled to borrow equipment for use on campus or at assigned facilities. In order to borrow equipment, please bring your student ID card to Student Central and ask Security. 

  • Outdoor Courts and Fields: Want to throw together a scrimmage with friends? Make use of one of our many on-campus fields or head over to the Turf field at Rotary Place on Thursdays from 5-7 pm. On-campus lined field coming soon!

Play sports

Sports can be a fun way to stay active and meet new friends. Here are a couple of ways you can get involved in sports at Lakehead:

  • Intramural Sport leagues: Campus Rec offers multiple sessions of Intramural Sports leagues throughout the year. You can sign up as a team or join a team as a free agent to play a variety of sports. No experience is required to play, and all ability levels are welcome. Not sure you can commit- watch out for mini-leagues being offered. 

  • Orillia Community Sports Clubs: To learn more about the Community Sports Clubs in the Orillia area visit the Community Recreation page. 

Follow us on social

Learn more about upcoming opportunities and events through Athletics and Wellness by following us on social (@thunderwolvesOR)!

 

treadmills and ellipitcal in a fitness room

Move for Movember

Globally, one man takes his own life every minute, of every day. 

This Movember, we’re asking Lakehead students, faculty, staff and alumni to make your Move – for them. Commit to walking or running 60 km over the month. That’s 60 km for the 60 men we lose each hour, every hour – the men who should still be here today. You don’t have to be an ultra-athlete, or own the latest kicks. Just put one foot in front of the other, and you’ve already made a start. 

Each week, we will share information to help reduce the stigma around men's mental health, to learn how to broach the topic of mental health with your male friends, family and colleagues and increase knowledge of the resources available to support you.

How to sign up:  

  1. Visit movember.com and join our team, Lakehead Thunderwolves, choose to Move for men’s health.
  2. Chip away at your target. Hit it fast. Take it slow. Go outside. Or jump on the treadmill. Sync your fitness tracker or log your activity manually.
  3. Make it count. Call on friends and family to join in, raise awareness about men’s mental health concerns and resources throughout the month. 

If you or someone you know is dealing with emotional distress

  • Crisis Response Services is a 24/7 crisis line staffed by the Canadian Mental Health Association
    • Thunder Bay- 807-346-8282
    • Orillia- 705-728-5044
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
  • Suicide Hotlines Across the World 
  • GOOD2TALK post-secondary crisis line- 1-866-925-5454
  • Crisis Text Line powered by Kids Help Phone- a free, confidential texting service, available 24/7/365. By texting GOOD2TALKON to 686868, post-secondary students in Ontario can be connected to a trained volunteer Crisis Responder who is there to listen and support students with any issue they’re facing.
  • Crisis Service Canada: www.crisisservicescanada.ca
  • First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310
    • Service is available in Cree, Ojibway, Inuktitut, English and French.
  • Trans Lifeline: 1-(877) 330-6366
  • The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ Youth)- 1-866-844-7386
ready, set, mo

Athletics, Recreation, and Wellness departments launch Running with the Wolves

The world of recreation has definitely changed in today’s world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many gyms, programs, and services have shifted their fitness opportunities into the virtual world.

Previous programs that were popular at both the Orillia and Thunder Bay campuses, including intramurals and group fitness, are not operating in their traditional capacity. Staff in the Athletics & Recreation Departments have been working to provide new virtual programming, such as e-sports and online fitness classes.

Lakehead Orillia's Athletics & Student Wellness, Lakehead Thunder Bay’s Athletics & Recreation, and the Student Health & Wellness Health Promoter, have teamed up to provide opportunities for the Lakehead community to enhance their physical fitness and wellbeing virtually, while creating connections across our campuses and our Lakehead community.

“The idea of joining a running club can seem really intimidating but starting, or restarting, a new program can actually be easier if you join a community with the same interests. By surrounding yourself with other enthusiastic people with the same goal, you’re more likely to run long-term, instead of depending solely on your own motivation. Members can offer each other advice, share experiences and motivate one another," said Lindsey Wachter, Health and Wellness Promoter for the Student Health and Wellness Department.

With support from Thunderwolves Head Track & Field and Cross Country Coach, Kip Sigsworth, and Dr. Ben Rayfield, a Sports Chiropractor from Back to Function in Orillia, the Running the Wolves program will provide participants with an eight-week training program with a weekly newsletter, along with various tips to aid in achieving their running goals. The program will be tracked through an app that will help build a sense of community and connection while they are in the program.

The Introduction to Running club, which is intended for beginners will guide these runners to build up cardio and pace to running 5k by the end of the eight week program.

“I know from experience that running is a little intimidating. There’s a lot of aches and pains when first starting. I’m excited to be able to work with our coaching staff to provide this community and training guide to our participants, and also follow along with the program myself," said Laura Ferguson, Coordinator for Recreational Programs at Lakehead Thunder Bay.

Alternatively, for members of our Lakehead community that already engage in running at an intermediate level, the general Thunderwolves Running club provides a more advanced guide to help enhance and strengthen and bring some new tips and structure to your current running routine.

There will be leaderboards shared each week to celebrate participants' successes, and using the Strava Run Clubs, participants will be able to motivate each other and cheer each other on as they reach new milestones.

The program starts on July 5th and will run until the end of August. Participants can learn more and sign up at lakeheadu.ca/wolvesrun. All staff, faculty, students, and alumni are welcome to sign up!

Questions about the Running with the Wolves program can be directed to campusrec@lakeheadu.ca.

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