Red Deer Polytechnic Dance & Rodeo Teams Join RDP Athletics

Aug 15, 2024

Student-athletes from the RDP Royals Dance and Rodeo teams will join Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics, rebranding as Kings and Queens, beginning in the 2024/2025 season.

“We are extremely excited to add student-athletes from the Dance and Rodeo teams to our athletics program,” says Kristine Plastow, Dean of Students, Division of Student Success. “Since the Kings and Queens were first established in 1964, our student-athletes have demonstrated excellence in the classroom, during competition and as ambassadors in our communities. The inclusion of student-athletes from the Dance and Rodeo teams will grow and strengthen RDP Athletics, enhancing the overall brand.”

A group of female dancers in green and black strike a dramatic pose on stage

Previously part of RDP’s Ancillary and Sport Services, the Dance and Rodeo teams join the Polytechnic’s nationally recognized Athletics program. Recently, Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics was ranked third in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) during the past 50 years. Throughout the Polytechnic's athletics history, RDP Athletics teams and individual student-athletes have won 25 CCAA national gold medals and 199 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) team and individual titles.

“As Kings and Queens, members of the Dance and Rodeo teams become part of a cohesive group of more than 190 student-athletes at Red Deer Polytechnic,” says Randy Stewart, Manager, Athletics and Student Life. “Using the names Kings and Queens for all RDP student-athletes also creates consistency and clarity for sports fans and members of our communities.”

A young cowboy vaults onto a moving horse with a lasso between his teeth. A black and white photo

During the past several years, the Red Deer Polytechnic Dance and Rodeo teams have grown in prominence. At the 2024 Canadian Collegiate Rodeo Association (CCRA) Finals, the RDP Kings and Queens Rodeo teams won three event championships. In the previous season, two RDP student-athletes took top honours at the CCRA Finals, receiving the 2023 CCRA Cowgirl and Cowboy of the Year Awards. In total, RDP student-athletes have achieved 15 Canadian Collegiate Rodeo titles.

Last year, the Dance team participated in two competitions and performed at the CCAA Women's Volleyball National Championship, held in the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre. These student-athletes have also entertained sports fans at half-time of the Kings and Queens Basketball teams’ home games.

The RDP Kings and Queens continue to place academic achievement as a priority. Ten RDP student-athletes were named 2023/2024 CCAA Academic All-Canadians, achieving academic honours and elite athletic recognition such as an All-Conference selection.

Red Deer Polytechnic student-athletes also devote numerous hours in communities as coaches, youth mentors and volunteers with multiple organizations in central Alberta. The Kings and Queens have also organized several initiatives to support food bank donations and a blood drive in collaboration with Canadian Blood Services.

The Kings and Queens comprise 19 teams that compete in 10 sports, including basketball, cross country running, curling, dance, futsal (new), hockey, indoor track, rodeo, soccer and volleyball.

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