Welcome to a new year at UBC Okanagan! As we get back to the familiar rhythm of the never-ending lines at Pritchard, the weight of all this year’s textbooks piling up, and the relentless scouting for Ice Cream Club events, we look ahead to a new season of HEAT sports. The beginning of the year has no shortage of athletics, so read on to see how the HEAT is measuring up so far.

Soccer

This season started off a little rocky for both HEAT soccer teams, having yet to secure a win this season. Despite the cooling temperatures, expect to see the HEAT still fired up. We will see the women’s team gracing our home field on Friday, October 2nd, against Trinity Western. They will also be at home Friday, October 9th, for the Soccer for Cancer game, where they’ll be playing the UNBC Timberwolves. The women’s team’s last home game of the regular season will also be a celebration for all of this year’s graduating athletes held here at Nonis Sports Field against the UFV Cascades at 12pm.

The men will be facing off against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies on Friday, October 2nd, at 7:45 PM. They will also be back at home for the Soccer for Cancer game, where they will be going against the UNBC Timberwolves. Following the women, expect to see the men working hard to beat the UFV Cascades at Nonis Sports Field for the Graduating Athletes Celebration at 2:45PM. Here’s hoping for a HEAT soccer win!

Softball

The Women’s softball team has been making waves as the division's defending national champions. The team is looking at a plethora of victories as they finish off their season and gear up for the (WCSA) Championship in Calgary from Friday, October 2nd, to Saturday, October 4th.

Golf

Golf season is in the air and prominent here in the Okanagan as well, starting with the men’s golf team playing the Canadian Collegiate Invitational in Foot’s Bay, Ontario.

The women’s teams started their official season in Washington on Monday, September 21st. They played for the opportunity to participate in Lethbridge on October 5th and 6th at the Canada West Championship with the men and the following week back in Washington playing the Western Washington Invitational.

We’ll see both teams home at the Okanagan Golf Club playing the Victoria Vikes for the BCGA Matchplay and at the OUAZ Fall Invitational Monday, October 26th, and Tuesday, October 27th, in Washington.

Season Start-Up

Men’s Rugby has just started back up! Come show your support as they play the SAIT Trojans in Kelowna on Saturday, October 17th.

Men and Women’s volleyball starts back up at the end of October. Watch the home openers against Brandon University Bobcats on Friday, October 23rd, with the women set to start at 5pm and the men following at 7pm. On Saturday, October 24th, catch the women play Bobcats again at 4pm and the men at 6pm.

The men and women’s Basketball teams close off the month on October 30th against the UNBC Timberwolves. The women start at 5pm and the men follow at 7pm.

Player to Watch

Since August, many players have been making strides on and off the field. One player in particular, Julia Alexander-Carew—on the HEAT women’s golf team—has been one to look out for. Every tournament, Julia has either placed first or second, an amazing feat.

Julia is a finance major in the UBCO Commerce program and has just started her 4th year. She admits that being a student athlete is demanding, but it is also incredibly fun, demonstrates school pride, and teaches a lot about being on a team. When asked what playing for the HEAT meant to her, Julia said:

“Being part of the HEAT has given me a sense of community which has had a huge impact on my university experience. Golf can be a very individual sport so having teammates to practice and travel with, as well as other athletes who share similar experiences has provided me with support and some of my closest friendships”

Events To Support

The best way to keep up the electric energy that we saw at Homecoming is to continue to come to events! Come support Soccer for a Cause on October 9th and consider donating to the Canadian Cancer Society. Watch the HEAT at any home game and cheer on UBCO. The year is just beginning, so start the year off HOT, make your mark, and watch the HEAT!