Finding ways to stay active, create community, and forge connections in Northern BC can come with a unique set of difficulties throughout the winter months, when most of us would rather hunker down and stay warm. To combat this, some Northern Health (NH) staff from the Dawson Creek District Hospital (DCDH) are trading in their gloves and scrubs for squeaky sneakers and knee pads - staying active while playing volleyball together on a local team.
This NH volleyball team has been playing together in the local league since 2021!
The newest member of the team, Human Resources Assistant, Angeline Gamad, shares her story of playing ball while studying at Northern Lights College (NLC) and how that translated into her joining the NH team.
“I moved to Dawson Creek from the Philippines in December of 2021,” Angeline said. “I had been playing volleyball with fellow international students from NLC since 2022. I established a small community for us to play during the fall and winter seasons, and we even invited other teams from neighbouring communities like Fort St. John and Tumbler Ridge to come play. Volleyball’s the only thing I can do to get my mind off the reality of winter in Dawson Creek, where it can be hard to find things to do!”
Throughout her schooling Angeline says she was playing four nights a week, and that’s how she learned about the NH team.
“I was playing Monday, Tuesdays, Thursday, and Fridays,” she said. "While casually talking with some other NH staff about hobbies and long-weekend plans, I shared that I played volleyball most of the time, and they ended up inviting me to join their team.”
Though the team isn’t officially named Northern Health, members have begun recruiting more NH staff from different departments to play. Angeline reflected, “Not all staff work together. Some are rehab assistants, recreational activity managers, dietitians, health care assistants, and licensed practical nurses. Not all players are pros; most are beginners who come out to have fun, not necessarily win championships. It’s been really fun.”
There’s no substitute for human connection, collaboration, and teamwork in our daily lives, and those themes extend to our work-lives as well. The ability to rely on like-minded individuals and friends can make a significant difference in our productivity and overall job satisfaction. When we surround ourselves with supportive colleagues and friends, we can create an environment where ideas can flourish, challenges can be overcome more easily, and successes can be celebrated together. This sense of camaraderie not only enhances our professional lives but also contributes to our personal well-being. So, let's continue to foster these valuable connections, have some fun, and work together towards our common goals.
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