In an effort to revitalize campus representation, UMSU’s Center for Accessibility Resources and Empowerment (CARE) hosted an inclusive dodgeball tournament at the Frank Kennedy Center on Oct. 4, uniting students for a cause centred on fun and accessibility.
The event was a fulfillment of a campaign promise by Gurminder Singh, UMSU accessibility representative and president of UMSU CARE, who sought to address a perceived representation deficit. “My election agenda was to bring the [accessibility] community back into limelight, and the best way to bring this up is through fun events,” Singh said.
The tournament was designed as a collaborative effort with the Racialized Equity and Inclusion Association, the Chemistry Club, the Arts Student Body Council (ASBC) and the Parks Club. This partnership was crucial in drawing a diverse crowd and amplifying the event’s reach.
Singh mentioned the goal was to foster connections through friendly competition, noting, “We had participants from different backgrounds, and in these events people do make friends while also competing for prizes.”
To ensure the event was truly inclusive, the organizers made a key decision to adapt the game itself. “We changed some rules from traditional dodgeball to accommodate everyone regardless of their background or interests,” Singh explained. Prizes, including UMSU gift cards and coupons, were offered to attract a wide range of participants.
Other student leaders praised the initiative. Prabhnoor Singh, president of UMSU, highlighted the broader impact, stating, “Having such events on campus builds a sense of belonging for the community at large.”
Gwendelyn Freeheart, ASBC accessibility representative, echoed the sentiment, calling the event “a really great opportunity for people to come out.”
Patricia Martinez, UMSU racialized students’ community representative, defined the event’s core principle simply as “making sure everyone feels welcome.”
This focus on a welcoming atmosphere is what CARE’s Singh hopes students will remember. “The only message I want students to take away from this event is [to] have fun while being respectful and inclusive of everyone,” he said. He views such gatherings as vital for students’ well-being. “These fun events are just some stress relievers for students to have an opportunity to have fun.”
Organizing the event was not without its hurdles. Singh acknowledged challenges with “getting funding from UMSU and just getting the word around the campus.”
Buoyed by positive student feedback, Singh is optimistic about the event’s future. “Hopefully […] we will make this dodgeball tournament an annual thing and expand this event by next year,” he said.
According to Singh, UMSU CARE intends to host at least one event per month. For more updates about the different types of events, students are encouraged to follow their Instagram page at @umsu_cares.
