Calling all fan ambassadors
IG Field seeks volunteers
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$0 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*No charge for 4 weeks then price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.75/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/07/2023 (874 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A big smile and a warm greeting are part of Shannon Philipow’s winning strategy on game day.
Philipow is one of more than 250 people who volunteer as fan ambassadors at IG Field. They welcome visitors into the stadium and scan tickets at Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Valour FC games.
“We want to ensure that all the fans have a great experience when they’re attending an event,” Philipow says.
MIKE THIESSEN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Shannon Philipow is one of more than 250 volunteer fan ambassadors at IG Field who welcome visitors into the stadium and scan tickets at Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Valour FC games. If that sounds like fun, consider joining up.
She learned about the fan ambassador program while volunteering at the Manitoba Summer Games in 2016 and signed up the following year.
It was a smart play for the 72-year-old St. Vital resident, who volunteers at every game she can.
“I love football so I was a Winnipeg football fan, but it wasn’t really for that reason that I signed up,” she says. “It was more the fact that it looked like an interesting thing to get into. I’m glad I did it.”
Attending Bombers games is just one of many highlights of volunteering as a fan ambassador, Philipow says. Valour FC games are just as fun and have their own unique character.
“Valour games are really family-oriented events,” she says. “There are lots of children, we have a lot of games set up for them and it’s quite affordable for a family to go. It’s just a very nice atmosphere.”
One of Philipow’s standout experiences as a fan ambassador was participating in the Grey Cup parade following the Blue Bombers’ championship win in 2019. She carried a flag and walked alongside the truck that defensive end Willie Jefferson was riding in.
Watching Winnipeggers come together to celebrate their hometown heroes and see the venerated trophy was a thrill for Philipow.
“That was a lot of fun,” she says. “A lot of fun.”
But speak with Philipow for any length of time about volunteering at IG Field and she will keep returning, time and time again, to the fans.
“I love greeting people as they come in,” she says, adding it’s a pleasure answering people’s questions and helping them find where they need to go. “They’re in a good mood when they arrive and hopefully, they’re in a good mood when they leave.”
Cameron Buchanan, who co-ordinates the fan ambassador program, is grateful to Philipow.
“Shannon is a very outgoing, dedicated and friendly person,” he says. “She’s one of our core volunteers.”
Buchanan is looking for volunteers to add to his roster. In addition to greeting visitors and scanning tickets, fan ambassadors have the option of helping with specialty jobs like assisting with the stadium’s bike valet.
Buchanan encourages friendly, outgoing people with good communication skills, who are passionate about football, soccer or making someone’s day great, to apply by sending an email to volunteers@bluebombers.com.
Volunteers have access to snacks throughout their shift, and for every shift they work they receive two free tickets to an upcoming game.
“We do lots of fun events together as well,” Buchanan says. “Send us an email. We’re always looking for more people.”
Correction: The Costume Museum of Canada has a permanent home at 410-70 Arthur St. that’s open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturdays by appointment. I made an error last month when I wrote that it shares its collection only through pop-up events and travelling displays.
If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.