The Red Deer Polytechnic Royals dance and rodeo teams have been renamed prior to the 2024-25 academic year.

Red Deer Polytechnic announced Thursday that both teams will compete as “Kings and Queens” under the sports brand starting this season.

Kristine Plastow, dean of the Division of Student Success, said they are excited to welcome the athletes from the dance and rodeo teams.

“Since the Kings and Queens were founded in 1964, our student-athletes have demonstrated excellence in the classroom, in competition and as ambassadors in our communities,” she said.

“The addition of student athletes from the dance and rodeo teams will grow and strengthen RDP Athletics and enhance the overall brand.”

Over the past few years, the dance and rodeo teams have grown and had numerous successes in high-level competitions.

Most recently, the rodeo team traveled to the 2024 Canadian Collegiate Rodeo Association (CCRA) finals, where the kings and queens won three championships.

In 2023, two RDP student-athletes won the CCRA Cowgirl and Cowboy of the Year awards at the CCRA Finals. In total, RDP student-athletes have won 15 titles at the Canadian Collegiate Rodeo.

During the 2023-24 school year, the dance team competed in two competitions and also performed at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) women’s national volleyball championship in Red Deer at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre. They also performed at home games during halftime of the Kings and Queens basketball games.

“As kings and queens, members of the dance and rodeo teams will become part of a close-knit group of over 190 student-athletes at Red Deer Polytechnic,” said Randy Stewart, manager of athletics and student life, in a press release.

“Using the names Kings and Queens for all RDP student-athletes also creates consistency and clarity for sports fans and members of our communities.”