With Remembrance Day falling on a Saturday this year and multiple high school sports seasons in Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association playoff mode, a joint statement was issued prior to last weekend by SHSAA and the Royal Canadian Legion, Saskatchewan Command.
Dave Sandomirsky, executive director of SHSAA, noted that Nov. 10 and 11 would see provincial football championship games, girls’ regional volleyball and boys’ conference volleyball. With five divisions in each sport – 1A to 5A, determined by school size and student population – it was estimated 3,500 student athletes would be representing their schools. There were 222 volleyball teams playing in 48 tournaments and 14 football teams in five gold medal and two bronze medal games.
That being said, the significance of Remembrance Day and the sacrifices made by veterans was not lost on the SHSAA.
The joint statement read, in part: “The SHSAA continues their positive relationship with the Royal Canadian legion, Saskatchewan Command. Recognizing the importance and significance of Remembrance Day as a time to honor our veterans the SHSAA playoff schedules will not begin until 1:00pm on November 11. Over the course of the three weekends leading up to Remembrance Day, over 9,000 poppy stickers, provided by the Legion, will be displayed proudly by student-athletes, coaches, and officials during competition. The importance of sport in our schools and communities is an example of the opportunities provided to youth through the service of our veterans. This weekend, free admission will be provided to Legion members showing their Legion member card when attending SHSAA events and all host schools are encouraged to plan an observance of Remembrance Day.”
Sandomirsky and Chad Wagner, executive director of the Legion Saskatchewan Command, were the signatories of the joint statement.
