Weyburn is in a unique position, better than any other community can claim, where we can be recognized as Saskatchewan's "Riderville" - the centre of the best Roughrider fans outside of the team's home base of Regina.
Unlike any other CFL team in Canada, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have been considered the province's team, not just the team of the city where they play. Saskatchewan residents are very proprietary of their team, as can be seen by the fact that for every home game at Mosaic Stadium, there are fans driving in from all directions, from every point in the province.Furthermore, when the Riders visit some of the other CFL cities, Rider Nation can be seen in evidence there too, particularly in cities like Calgary and Winnipeg, but even farther out in cities like Vancouver and Toronto.Now, with the Roughriders turning 100 years old this year, they are seeking to find out which of the many communities that support them around the province can be properly called "Riderville" - in other words, the recognized biggest and most active concentration of Rider fans in the province.Only a short hour's drive from the Queen City, Weyburn is in a prime location, far better than other competing communities. The evidence of Rider Pride is evident everywhere in this city, as was seen last year with the Riders' run for the Grey Cup. Everywhere one could find Riders jerseys, flags, and Rider green on signs and even on a van painted up as the "13th van"! School classes were filled with Rider jerseys, and in many workplaces employees could be seen donning a shirt or player's jersey, signifying they were Rider supporters.As if further proof were needed, when this competition arose from the Roughriders, whereby they will officially recognize the winning community as "Riderville" and grant them $25,000 for use in that community's minor sports programs, Nicole Wendt and Rochelle Wendt stepped up to form Weyburn Rider Nation, along with many other Rider supporters. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, you say? Come out to the Rider Roundup event, set for Friday, May 14 at the Comp School track and bleachers area and see.There will be games, face-painting, a barbecue, and a video will be shot for Weyburn's submission. As a part of that celebration, the winner of the songwriting contest sponsored by Weyburn Rider Nation will perform the winning song, to also be a part of the video submission from this city.
In addition to the grant money mentioned, the Riders will also come down and put on a football and cheerleading clinic.
Not only would Weyburn benefit, but our children and their sports programs will benefit, should we gain our rightful recognition as Riderville - but it's dependent on all true Rider fans to come out and show their support.
What better way to showcase how great a community Weyburn is than to show the best Rider fans in the province call this city home, making it truly "Riderville"!
