REDS Show Their Pride
(FREDERICTON, NB) About 100 members of the UNB REDS marched in Sunday’s 2022 Fredericton Pride Parade, the fifth time the REDS have participated in the annual community celebration of diversity and tolerance.
“For us, as student-athletes, all together, all these teams, it sets an awesome example of what we stand for, every single team and every single player,” said Emma Giordano, a member of the REDS women’s hockey team.
Giordano was one of almost a dozen members of her team that took part in the parade and was encouraged by the reception they got along the route.
“Everyone was super happy. There were lots of “Go REDS, go” and lots of “bring some championships home,” she said. “We put ourselves out there, so it’s nice that others see that and give us their support.”
Along with women’s hockey, men’s hockey, women’s and men’s soccer, women’s and men’s basketball and men’s volleyball were also part of the REDS contingent, along with members of the REDS administration.
And the REDS participation wasn’t limited to just marching in the parade.
When parade organizers made a public appeal for volunteers to assist in running the event, the REDS women’s soccer team answered the call.
They sent about two dozen members, who helped control traffic along the route and ensured a safe and fun time for participants and spectators.
“We were all happy to do it,” said Jillian Larose, a second-year member of the team. “We like doing things in the community. We did the parade last year and it was fun, so when Coach Crossland said we were volunteering, everyone was all in to do it.”
“They (organizers) were happy to have us,” said Larose. “They seemed a little relieved that a lot of us had turned up, so that helps us feel even better about it.”
The women’s soccer team opened their 2022 training camp on Thursday and head coach Jon Crossland made a point of including the parade in their busy training schedule.
“It’s very meaningful to walk in the Fredericton Pride Parade each year, for the REDS, our department, my team and my family,” said Crossland. “It’s great to see the city so vibrant and full of expression. It is important for us to participate and support our student-athletes, UNB students, and Fredericton residents in the LGTBQ2IA+ community. We stand by an inclusive environment on our team and in our department and we feel it’s important for individuals to feel welcome to be exactly who they are.”
A number of REDS teams will hold their own Pride-themed events during the coming 2022-2023 season, including women’s soccer and women’s hockey.
STORY AND PHOTOS: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics