In retrospect: being recruited vs recruiting for the TMU dragon boat team
When my friend from high school and I first started at different schools for university, we often spoke about the clubs that we had seen during our orientation weeks, debating which ones to join. Though we weren’t in the same place, the nervous energy was there all the same for the both of us. She had mentioned to me a history club she had joined, meanwhile, I was considering the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) dragon boat team (external link, opens in new window) .
Being recruited:
I’d actually gone into university wanting to join a dragon boat team, and it was one of the things that drew me to the school in the first place. I’d briefly scrolled through their Instagram, but the booth during Orientation Week is what really caught my eye. A few team members had set up a table on Gould Street where they were encouraging students to sign up. More than the table itself, the energy of the team felt great right off the bat. They were talkative, friendly and answered any and all questions that people had about the team, commitment and sport. As it turned out, the booth was just a taste of what the team was really like.
The following Saturday was the first real day of the season. We call it a “try-it day” because the goal is for new recruits to come check us out and decide if they like the team enough to join. We don’t seed people out based on ability. Many of the members that joined last year had no prior paddling experience, and learned throughout the year. The first day was akin to the first day of elementary school. It was a bit awkward at first, as the rest of the new recruits and I didn’t speak much. Within no time, veteran members of the team arrived and a few began chatting with us. Common questions such as what year we were in, what program, what brought us to join the team, etc. Sure, the questions were generic, but the openness with which the team spoke to us newbies created a welcoming environment. From that day on, I knew I had a place on the team.
I’m glad to call many of the people that recruited me my friends that I have built close relationships with. Honestly, there was no way to anticipate the amount of opportunities, close friendships and mentorships I got from being on this team. They truly contributed to my first year being so great. When a friend of mine from the team first found out that I switched to Business Management, he gave me advice on managing my school work, which Bootcamps were the best to attend and even sent me an application for a workshop. The team and I have had holiday parties, gone to pride together and had thoughtful conversations over lunch after practices. I can honestly say I found myself through this team, and they’re like a second family to me.
Recruiting:
As the team and I began recruiting efforts for this year, I wanted to replicate that same experience for new recruits. Possibly making their experiences even better than mine. At the booth, my teammates and I put in extra effort to talk to people. We emulated the same welcoming energy that the booth from the previous year had. I didn’t want anyone to feel that we were just recruiting for athletes, but that this was a community open to all. Nothing brought me more joy than seeing someone scan our QR code to register for a try-it day. When the time came for the try-it days, my team and I walked up to every new recruit and sparked up a conversation with them. You could sense the nervous energy, but after a while, I could see many of the recruits relax and some even returned for multiple try-it days.
I’m elated to meet the newbies and to see who joins the team. I’m already brainstorming a social event for the new recruits to integrate themselves more into the team, and to get to know us better. I hope that we can contribute to giving our new athletes a great year, and that they find the same sense of belonging that I did.
That's all for now folks!
Talk to you soon!
Isabel