2024-25 Dance News

Red Deer Polytechnic Dance team continues to impact communities on and off the stage
Red Deer Polytechnic Dance team continues to impact communities on and off the stage

April 07, 2025

The Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Dance program has evolved during the past 15 years, providing student-athletes with competitive dance experiences while also fostering meaningful engagement within the community.   “The RDP Dance team started to form in Fall 2009 under the choreography of Jillian Walls, RDP Kinesiology instructor. I joined three months later,” recalls Trina Carroll, Student Life and Dance team Coordinator, Red Deer Polytechnic. “At that time, we wanted to provide a recreational dance opportunity for students. The team, which was originally known as the Rec Royals, performed at its first Queens Basketball game in Winter 2010.” 

Red Deer Polytechnic Dance and Rodeo teams join RDP Athletics
Red Deer Polytechnic Dance and Rodeo teams join RDP Athletics

August 15, 2024

The legacy of excellence achieved by Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Athletics continues to grow.  Student-athletes from the RDP Royals Dance and Rodeo teams will join Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics, rebranding as Kings and Queens, beginning in the 2024/2025 season.  “We are extremely excited to add student-athletes from the Dance and Rodeo teams to our athletics program,” says Kristine Plastow, Dean of Students, Division of Student Success. “Since the Kings and Queens were first established in 1964, our student-athletes have demonstrated excellence in the classroom, during competition and as ambassadors in our communities. The inclusion of student-athletes from the Dance and Rodeo teams will grow and strengthen RDP Athletics, enhancing the overall brand.”  Previously part of RDP’s Ancillary and Sport Services, the Dance and Rodeo teams join the Polytechnic’s nationally recognized Athletics program. Recently, Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics was ranked third in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) during the past 50 years. Throughout the Polytechnic's athletics history, RDP Athletics teams and individual student-athletes have won 25 CCAA national gold medals and 199 ACAC team and individual titles.