Whether the weather has you on a spiral or the end of the year is revealing various emotions, sometimes the best way to overcome it is to keep moving, stay active, and get ready with drop in sports for the upcoming intramural season.
 
Presents and fall classes are not the only things wrapping up this time of year. At MRU Recreation, we say 'see you next semester' to our fall intramural leagues with intense playoffs and fun-spirited competition. 
 
Rachel Dela Cruz, a third year Sports and Recreation Management student and Basketball Intramural Lead, is excited to conclude regular season play with intramural playoffs for the recreational, intermediate, and advanced participants. 
 
"There's lots of people where it's their first time playing this season," Dela Cruz said. 
 
Fall intramurals start in September and end prior to final exams. Dela Cruz is kept busy with setting up at the end of November for playoffs and the grand finale of the basketball season this month. 
 
Heated and friendly fire
 
One of the people at the recreational basketball semi-final game is Deanne Frere, a mother who proudly supports her son, Wyatt Smuszko, who is in the Transitional Vocational Program (TVP) at MRU and plays in the recreation division. 
 
"He's definitely learned and gained confidence and independence as an athlete with Down Syndrome," Frere said. "He's been well integrated and Mount Royal has provided such excellent inclusion opportunities." 
 
Smusazko participates in the evenings, and can be seen showcasing his competitive spirit and best basketball shots like the threes and layups.
 
"Being a part of the team is really fun, and I need to win." Smuszko said. 
 
Inclusive spaces on campus are the bedrock of skill building and strengthening ability, the Kenyon and Stanley Gyms at MRU Recreation are home to aspiring athletes and potential. 
 
"Some athletes for the first time see him, and they're not sure whether they should check him or let him go," Frere said. "They soon learn they shouldn't let him go because he'll score."

Dela Cruz notes that while players have plenty of lively back-and-forth moments throughout the semester, the competitive game always ends with friendship and mutual respect shining through.

"Wyatt and his team have always been really great about being welcoming — they love everyone," Dela Cruz said.  
 
Vibing with play
 
While some people worry about the intimidating nature of sports or the challenge of meeting new people, participating in team activities can actually ease social anxiety and support students' mental well-being. The concept of the league levels at MRU Recreation aims to ensure intramural sports is a fun-first program, offering options that allow participants to choose what fits their needs best.
 
Aiden French, a fourth year Health and Physical Education student with a focus in Sport and Recreation Management, is the Intramural Lead for both the volleyball and futsal leagues. 
 
"While it's a competitive format, the biggest thing is just providing a safe, encouraging place for people to get active, meet new friends, and do something they enjoy," French said. 
 
French also shared that he often joins in and plays on the side of the court with participants and from time to time filled in for missing teammates to keep the games going. 
 
100 percent of intramural teams last year said MRU Recreation staff, including Intramural Leads, created a fun environment for those who played, according to feedback from a year-end feedback survey.
 
"Giving participants the best intramural experience possible is why I'm excited to come into work every week," an Intramural Lead said. 
 
"The ability to make meaningful connections with my co-workers and being there to provide support and care," shared another Intramural Lead about the best part about their job. 
 
At the beginning of registration, participants are encouraged to form their teams and apply to the corresponding level of competition they wish to participate in during the season. Incomplete teams are also welcome and are paired with free agents to round out their team depending on availability during the season. 
 
Aside from leading the basketball intramurals, Dela Cruz is also on a free agent team in the volleyball league. 
 
"One of the big [hurdles participants face] is just not having enough people to make their own team," Dela Cruz said. "But [a free agent team] gives you the opportunity to make more friends, adapt, as well as work on your teamwork skills."
 
Volleyball intramurals is one of the programs with the most participants at Recreation, and sees many free agent participants throughout the season. French has over 35 teams and nearly 300 participants under his supervision for the fall season.  
 
"We had at least one of our free agent teams end up becoming quite close, becoming friends," French said. "They've rebranded into an actual team and told me they're playing again next semester."
 
More than 86 per cent of participants surveyed in previous seasons agreed they left feeling mentally well after intramural play. 
 
"It's stressful being a first year and [finding] something to do while passing the time and being actively present," a participant said in a survey. 
 
Fear you'll love it
 
There are no coaches, official practices, and drills during intramurals — it's strictly learning through play and community building through practice and game. Studies shows that movement and participating in sports can be great relievers especially on those long days of academics, and well, life in general. 
 
"Whenever I had a really stressful time during the semester, it was a nice escape for me," French said. "Intramurals are a really good way to bring people together."
 
Frere is adamant about having a post-secondary experience that's not solely focused on academics for his son but a campus community he can create friendships with. 
 
"He'll say to me, 'I saw those guys that we played with and we fist bumped in the hallway'," Frere said. "He carries his head a little higher because of that." 
 
The goal of the intramural program at Recreation is to promote fair play, develop a safe and affirming atmosphere. Registration for Winter Intramurals is open now with a variety of sports — hockey, futsal (indoor soccer), basketball, dodgeball, and volleyball. Students who register for winter intramurals between now and December 23 will receive an additional 10% off their registration fee, on top of the already discounted student price.

To learn more about your next escape on campus through intramural sports, click here.