Vikes soccer grad helping the sporting world achieve equity

Former University of Victoria Vikes soccer player Jackie Snell, graduating with a BA in Recreation and Health Education, has taken her passion for sport and is now making a difference in the global sporting community, preparing the Caribbean island country of Dominica for international competitions.

Snell is currently in the early stages of a one-year job opportunity with the Dominica Olympic Committee, working as a Capacity Support Officer (CSO) as part of a Commonwealth Games Association of Canada initiative. She is implementing a program called ZEUS with the aim of helping smaller countries improve their databases, with the ultimate goal of creating more equity in international sport between developing and developed countries.

Snell gathers information on athletes, coaches, officials and others involved in sport, inputting it to create a paperless, electronic system so any information can easily be accessed to assist with accreditation or emergencies.

“It will help to make a big difference for everyone here… there’s one person in the office so this helps to keep everything in order and it's creating a sustainable work environment,” Snell says. “When I leave, other administrators can take over and it will not be a burden.”

One of 15 CSOs placed in countries throughout the Commonwealth, Snell is based in Roseau, the capital of Dominica. The former Canadian Interuniversity Sport All-Canadian and Canada West all-star heard about the opportunity after getting an email through UVic.

“People are taking in my ideas and recommendations, since I’m bringing a new perspective,” Snell says. “At my age, I would not be given the same responsibility I have here if I had a job in Canada. But because of my education, they see it as a strength and I am able to take responsibility for a lot more.”


Graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in the recreation and health education field, Snell says she came to UVic because of recruitment from Vikes women’s soccer coach Tracy David.

Snell says the co-op portion was also a major perk to the recreation and health education program.

“Only 30 students per year are accepted into the program so you get to work closely with your profs,” she said. “You’re not just a number; you’re an actual person.”

Winner of the Vikes Chancellor's Award in 2010 for outstanding leadership and exemplifying the goals of the team, Snell completed four placements in her co-op terms—two at the Boys and Girls Club of Victoria, one with the Vancouver Olympics and one as a Vikes Recreation Summer Camps assistant. She said the co-op placements helped to prepare her for her current opportunity.

“Co-op provided me with some great experience, and I learned how to act professionally. It helped me to figure out the direction I wanted to take in the sports and recreation field with the experience of difference facets of the industry,” she says.
After completing her Dominica experience, Snell says she is open to whatever opportunities may arise but is aspiring for a chance to work with the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England.

“I liked the fact I could be at home and get a great education… My UVic experience definitely helped me to develop my work ethic and my drive,” she says. “It’s a tangible education, and now I have a great opportunity to reflect on what I learned in school and apply it to real life situations.”