Thom Trojans wear Scott jerseys to honour athletes who joined their team

It looked like a rivalry on the court, but it was actually a show of unity.

Thom Collegiate’s senior boys volleyball players wore Scott Collegiate jerseys during their home game Wednesday night to celebrate three Scott athletes who joined the Trojans this season after Scott was unable to form a senior boys team this year.

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Lorell McDonald, a teacher and the Trojans’ team manager, said the decision was about more than just uniforms.

“It’s important that everyone has a chance to grow and play and learn and be part of a team,” McDonald said.

Scott’s Dominick Johnstone (#4) and Gia Phuc (#3) poses with their Thom captains after the jersey night at Thom Collegiate.
(Lorell Mcdonald/Submitted)

“Sometimes there isn’t a team at the right level or in the right division, but when we’re able to work together, we should be. That’s what community is about.”

McDonald said she was inspired by other schools that honoured athletes through similar gestures, and felt it was important for Thom to do the same. She said the Scott players have blended in quickly, and in one case even stepped into a starting role.

“Our Scott athletes have brought not only Thom Trojan pride, but also their Scott pride with them,” McDonald said. “They have shown nothing but support for us and the rest of the athletes.”

 Gia Phuc (#3) leaps for a spike during Scott’s jersey night, celebrating the partnership between the two schools. (Lorell Mcdonald/Submitted)

For senior Dominick Johnstone, who attends Scott but now plays at Thom, the jersey switch was about celebrating identity as much as it was about inclusion.

“It shows how I’m supporting my home school,” Johnstone said. “The bond that you make with your team… it’s fun, it’s enjoyable, and you get to make new friends.”

Thom player Mason Burns said it was the first time he had competed alongside athletes from another school.

“Honestly, it was unexpected, but I do like it,” Burns said.

“It’s nice to include other schools … I’d say it brings us closer together, and I think it should be normalized between different schools.”

Fellow Trojan athlete Jacob Knelsen agreed the change was unusual, but said the meaning behind it was worth it.

“It’s definitely weird… but it’s being inclusive, so I support it all the way,” Knelsen said. “It makes them feel included, so they can know what it would be like if they had their own team.”

Head coach Sydney Soloway said the event was meant to highlight how collaboration has always been part of Regina high school sports, from combined football programs to shared gym facilities. She said the jersey night was another way to reinforce those values.

“Our collaboration as a coaching and manager team has always been that it’s bigger than volleyball,” Soloway said.

“It’s about making that sense of community, showing them that we’re not just a team to play volleyball. We’ll support in and around the community.”