Communiqué

You Said it!
AREVA's passion for energy takes to the soccer field!

By Carolanne Inglis-McQuay, Regulatory Coordinator and Alejandra Ortiz, Admin. Assistant Engineering & Projects.

Carolanne Inglis-McQuay on the attack and Kirsten Jewitt (background) keeping up to assist.

Goaltender Alejandra Ortiz ready to stop a penalty shot.

AREVA Resources has a passion for energy that doesn't just include the nuclear fuel cycle; it includes the energy and enthusiasm involved in playing soccer. Yes, it's true! This past summer 22 women from various AREVA Resources departments and sites and wives of employees played together on the first ever AREVA Energy soccer team.

Most of us hadn't played soccer before, and it was with great trepidation but few expectations that we approached our first game in early May. After our first exhibition game at which we lost 10-1, we were seriously wondering what we got ourselves into...but that feeling didn't last. Regardless of the score, we were learning new skills and having fun! We were getting to know ladies from across the company with whom we would most likely have never interacted at work let alone on a social level. We befriended wives of our coworkers that we would otherwise only meet at the annual Christmas party.

Indeed the first few games were quite rocky, with many of us learning the art of running, stopping, attacking, kicking, running some more, defending – all in a 90 minute game that initially felt like it would never end. Yet, as the season carried on, we found our rhythm thanks to our fearless soccer guru, coach, and colleague, Ben Charruyer, who gave up much of his personal time to jump around, shout and encourage us to find our inner soccer spirit and skills.

By the end of the season we were regularly winning games and having a tremendous amount of fun. We developed not only a new attitude towards physical activity but also carried forward to our workplace the values of true sportsmanship, teamwork, perseverance and dedication. We are very thankful to AREVA's management for supporting our efforts to be active and share our Energy and to our many co-workers, family and friends who came to sheer us on. And, since we had so much fun in the summer...we are now continuing our new found passion for soccer on the indoor soccer field, come and watch!

The AREVA Energy soccer stars are Alda Behie, Holly Deshaye, Melanie Dion, Amber Doney, Melani Dziki, Stephanie Forseille, Cristina Goertzen, Carolanne Inglis-McQuay, Linda Lefebvre, Jennifer Longo, Kirsten Jewitt, Véronique Larlham, Diane Martens, Alejandra Ortiz, Serena Palmer, Rebecca Parry, Raelene Perlitz, Jennifer Platz, Tara Sookerokoff, Rebecca Tarasoff, Shelley Wilson and Cindy Zuk.