KELOWNA, B.C. – The UBC Okanagan Heat women's and men's volleyball teams are set to host Athletics and Recreation's first Pride Night on Friday evening when the Thompson Rivers WolfPack visit the UBCO Gymnasium.
The women's game will get underway at 6 p.m. followed by the men's game at 8 p.m.
In association with the UBC Okanagan Equity and Inclusion Office, the Heat's Pride Night will feature a night of celebration and fundraising to support Etcetera, a 2SLGBTQIA+ youth group in Kelowna whose mission is to bring queer youth together in an intersectional, dynamic, and supportive space. Members of Etcetera will also be in attendance at the games.
Fans attending the games on Friday night will be able to buy into a raffle for a Heat prize pack, featuring a special edition Heat Volleyball pride-themed shirt! The raffle will also allow fans the opportunity to participate in a paper airplane contest for additional prizes, happening between the second and third sets of each game. Each raffle entry is $5.
The Equity and Inclusion Office will also be on site for the evening with a booth set up on the upper track in the Gymnasium. They will have pronoun pins, stickers & info on how to get involved with Pride-related events on campus.
The action on the court will also be intense as the two Interior rivals meet with a large crowd expected at The Furnace. In particular, the men's games will have added meaning with the men's President's Cup trophy on the line.
Heading into the final weekend of action between the Heat and WolfPack this season, UBCO trails TRU 2-4-1 in head-to-head competition during the 2021-22 season. A win by the WolfPack will clinch them the trophy for the year while the Heat need two wins, and then have the tiebreak fall in their favour, to bring home the title.
The Heat women have already clinched the trophy for this season sitting with a 4-1-2 record at this point of the year.
The two teams will also meet at The Furnace on Saturday afternoon with the women getting underway at 3 p.m. followed by the men at 5 p.m.
Fans wishing to come to the games can purchase tickets at the door beginning 30 minutes prior to first serve in the women's game. Heat home games are currently operating at a 50 percent capacity limit and fans are encouraged to arrive early, particularly on Friday, as the limit is expected to be reached
All fans need to produce a valid proof of vaccination QR code from BC or the Federal government to enter The Furnace and masks must also be also be worn at all times, unless actively eating or drinking.
