Niagara College's Athletics and Student Engagement department is welcoming all Knights back this year in a big way, with varsity sports programming, new mindful meditation sessions and increased hours for the fitness centres and gyms.
Soccer home openers
Kicking off the varsity season will be the Knights men's and women's soccer squads who open their season on Friday, September 9 against Conestoga College. The women will take to the pitch at 6 p.m., followed by the men at 8 p.m. at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland. All fans – students, employees and community members – are welcome to cheer on the Knights.
The festivities, held in partnership with NC's Student Administrative Council and the Centre for Student Engagement and Leadership, will include game day snacks with a visit from Canadiana A-Go-Go food truck, and halftime contests with prizes. There will also be student transportation to and from Youngs Sportsplex from both campuses to help pack the stands for the Knights first game of the season.
Pick-up location and times for students:
- Daniel J. Patterson Campus (front entrance) 5 p.m.
- Daniel J. Patterson Campus (front entrance) 7 p.m.
- There will be a City of Welland bus doing a shuttle to the game starting at 5:30 p.m. for Welland Campus students. Buses will leave Young's Sportsplex after the last game is finished.
The Knights will host four additional home games throughout September and October before heading into the post-season:
Friday, September 16 vs. Lambton College – Women at 6 p.m. | Men at 8 p.m.
Wednesday, September 21 vs. Sheridan College – Women at 6 p.m. | Men at 8 p.m.
Saturday, October 1 vs. Fanshawe College – Men at 1 p.m. | Women at 3 p.m.
Friday, October 7 vs. St. Clair College – Women at 6 p.m. | Men at 8 p.m.
OCAA competition, tryouts
The Knights golf team will also hit the links this fall, playing in several invitational tournaments before returning home to Niagara to host the 2022 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Championships October 2-5 at Legends on the Niagara golf course.
The golf championships will be the first of three OCAA Championship events hosted by Niagara College for 2022-2023, with the 2023 OCAA Curling Championships taking place February 9-12 at Welland Curling Club, and the 2023 OCAA Women's Basketball Championship March 3-5.
Tryouts are also getting underway this month for student-athletes. The Knights basketball and volleyball programs will host open try-out dates beginning September 12-13 before their regular seasons begin at the end of October. Try-out information can be found on the Knights website.
The Knights curling teams will have a try-out information meeting on Monday, September 12 at 6 p.m. Both the men's and women's teams are looking to add more curlers to their rosters after boasting a competitive program the last two seasons, most recently capturing silver (women) and bronze (men) at the 2022 OCAA Curling Championships.
Meditation Mondays
Athletics has teamed up with NC's Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services to host weekly, in-person Meditation Mondays at the Welland Campus in A205 (upstairs in the fitness centre) from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The sessions will be led by NC's Michelle MacIntosh. All students and employees are welcome to attend the drop-in sessions – registration is not required.
Mindful meditation is a great way to start each week and can help reduce stress and anxiety, increase calmness and relaxation, improve concentration, physical and psychological well-being.
Fitness Centres and Gymnasiums
The Fitness Centre at both the Welland Campus and Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake are open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with no reservation process required. Students and employees must present a valid student/employee ID and come prepared with proper workout attire. Day use lockers and change rooms are available.
Hours will increase through the fall term, beginning on September 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and again on October 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Future open gym times, as well as intramurals and fitness classes will be announced later in the term. Updates will be posted on goknights.ca.
