EDMONTON, Alta. - The NAIT Ooks women's basketball team and NAIT Ooks badminton team both used the holiday break to travel south to get some international experience. The student-athletes fundraised the two trips to cover the cost of the travel. 

The women's basketball team traveled to San Diego to play two NCAA schools. They played Vanguard University in their first match, losing 99-35 to a highly skilled team. In the second game, they were defeated by the University of Antelope Valley 87-32. 

"I'm so proud of the girls, they played hard against to elite teams," said head coach Todd Warnick. "I'm even more proud of the fundraising the team did to cover the cost of a trip like this, and I think it made it more rewarding for them knowing they work for it."

"These are the types of trips that not only give NAIT and our program international exposure; they also offer a phenomenal experience to the student-athletes."

The badminton team is currently competing in the Honolulu open in Hawaii. The team travels to the pacific island on an annual basis to match up against some of the most skilled players on the continent. 

"The Honolulu Open has become a staple for our season, each year the players fundraise to take their talent down south over the break. It is not only a great experience for the student-athletes, but it is also a very competitive tournament," said head coach Sinead Cheah. 

"Our players get to see different styles of play and experience international competition, something they will always remember."