Pemberton Secondary Alumni
In times when providing opportunities for kids is becoming increasingly more difficult, Pemberton Secondary's Athletics program continues to thrive. While many rural schools around the province are experiencing a decline in their extra-curricular programs, Pemberton Secondary is running an unprecedented number of sports teams.
Our teams rely heavily on alumni to support the tradition of sports here in Pemberton. We have a rich history of basketball in this town, and as time moves on, more and more alumni have returned to coach teams, providing an opportunity for the youth of today that was once afforded to us as students. Our program has also been successful because of it's history of donated basketball officiating. For years, a handful of alumni have been reffing games and donating the fees that were designated for their payment back into the athletics program. These dollars added up and in time allowed us, with the help of other donations, to purchase the safety mats found at either end of the gymnasium (See 'Contributions' Page). This money also contributed in part to the purchase of the athletics chairs that were largely donated by the Class of 2012, and on which our opponents are now forced to sit to rest their weary legs. While Pemberton Secondary continues to provide financial support, the 'value added' that our teams are enjoying because of the dedication of alumni is becoming increasingly more apparent.
In recent years, the lack of funding available from government sources, combined with the increasing travel costs, have increased the cost of participation on our sports teams to the point where it may be considered unaffordable for some of our students and their families. Our annual fundraiser, termed 'Day of the Devils' pre-Covid-19, and since rebranded as 'The Shaker,' has been designed to ensure that school athletics remains accessible for all students of Pemberton Secondary, regardless of socio-economic status. Of the money raised each year, our priorities are to:
1) Pay all tournament entry fees, equaling roughly $10,000 to $12,000 per year.
-Every tournament our teams attend has a fee, usually between $400-$500. We also pay all Mt. Biking and Track and Field
participation fees for each individual athlete.
2) Subsidize all trips over $100 for students.
-Students pay for accommodation and transportation costs for all trips. Due to our rural nature, we travel on many overnight trips,
that can often exceed $100 per student. The alumni is now paying anything over $100 per student, in hopes of keeping these trips
affordable.
3) Purchase uniforms and equipment for Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Mt. Biking, and Track and Field.
4) Bus Fund
Any funds not spent are allocated to our 'bus fund' in hopes of one day being able to purchase a 24 seater passenger bus to
transport our teams around, as we currently rely on parent volunteer drivers.
The formation of the Red Devils Alumni Association stands as recognition of the importance of alumni to our program, and serves as a means for continued alumni support. Whether it be supporting our annual fundraiser, coaching, officiating, or becoming a member of the association, no contribution is too small. Our common goal is to ensure that Pemberton's youth continue to enjoy the same opportunities that were given to us, and to support the tradition of attending school at Pemberton Secondary as a Red Devil!
Our teams rely heavily on alumni to support the tradition of sports here in Pemberton. We have a rich history of basketball in this town, and as time moves on, more and more alumni have returned to coach teams, providing an opportunity for the youth of today that was once afforded to us as students. Our program has also been successful because of it's history of donated basketball officiating. For years, a handful of alumni have been reffing games and donating the fees that were designated for their payment back into the athletics program. These dollars added up and in time allowed us, with the help of other donations, to purchase the safety mats found at either end of the gymnasium (See 'Contributions' Page). This money also contributed in part to the purchase of the athletics chairs that were largely donated by the Class of 2012, and on which our opponents are now forced to sit to rest their weary legs. While Pemberton Secondary continues to provide financial support, the 'value added' that our teams are enjoying because of the dedication of alumni is becoming increasingly more apparent.
In recent years, the lack of funding available from government sources, combined with the increasing travel costs, have increased the cost of participation on our sports teams to the point where it may be considered unaffordable for some of our students and their families. Our annual fundraiser, termed 'Day of the Devils' pre-Covid-19, and since rebranded as 'The Shaker,' has been designed to ensure that school athletics remains accessible for all students of Pemberton Secondary, regardless of socio-economic status. Of the money raised each year, our priorities are to:
1) Pay all tournament entry fees, equaling roughly $10,000 to $12,000 per year.
-Every tournament our teams attend has a fee, usually between $400-$500. We also pay all Mt. Biking and Track and Field
participation fees for each individual athlete.
2) Subsidize all trips over $100 for students.
-Students pay for accommodation and transportation costs for all trips. Due to our rural nature, we travel on many overnight trips,
that can often exceed $100 per student. The alumni is now paying anything over $100 per student, in hopes of keeping these trips
affordable.
3) Purchase uniforms and equipment for Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Mt. Biking, and Track and Field.
4) Bus Fund
Any funds not spent are allocated to our 'bus fund' in hopes of one day being able to purchase a 24 seater passenger bus to
transport our teams around, as we currently rely on parent volunteer drivers.
The formation of the Red Devils Alumni Association stands as recognition of the importance of alumni to our program, and serves as a means for continued alumni support. Whether it be supporting our annual fundraiser, coaching, officiating, or becoming a member of the association, no contribution is too small. Our common goal is to ensure that Pemberton's youth continue to enjoy the same opportunities that were given to us, and to support the tradition of attending school at Pemberton Secondary as a Red Devil!
