NORTH BATTLEFORD, SK (February 25):After an exciting 7 days of sport and culture that showcased the best young athletes in the province, the 2018 Saskatchewan Winter Games have officially come to an end. From February 18th-24th, North Battleford hosted 1,800 athletes, coaches, managers, officials and mission staff from over 300 communities. Over 1,200 volunteers from the Battlefords and surrounding area donated their time and energies towards ensuring that the province鈥檚 largest biennial multisport games impressed both the participants as well as the thousands of spectators and family members of athletes who took in the Games.
Games Manager Nicole Clow was left smiling after Saturday's Closing Ceremony concluded. 鈥淲e feel that we鈥檝e left a big legacy in the community, both in sport facility and equipment upgrades and in civic pride. It was just a ton of fun -- the athletes were happy, and that鈥檚 the biggest goal.鈥�
The weeklong event saw 1,356 athletes compete in 17 different winter sports, with youth from the ages of 11-17 making up the majority of participants. For most, this was their first exposure to the exciting and fast-paced atmosphere of a multisport games. For many, it will serve as a stepping stone to a higher level of competition. 鈥淭his week these athletes have participated in something bigger than their sport,鈥� said Chantelle Patrick, Chairperson of the Saskatchewan Games Council. 鈥淭hey represented their entire District team, and they represented them well. It鈥檚 our hope that these Games have challenged, motivated and inspired these athletes towards a successful future in sport and in life.鈥�
The timing of the Saskatchewan Winter Games coincided with the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang -- an inspiring look ahead for the young athletes competing in North Battleford. Three of Team Canada鈥檚 2018 Olympians got their start at the Saskatchewan Games: White City鈥檚 Marsha Hudey, Speed Skating; Regina鈥檚 Kali Christ, Speed Skating; and Saskatoon鈥檚 Emily Clark, Olympic silver medalist in Hockey.
For the first time in Saskatchewan Games history, a parasport was included in the sport calendar. Prince Albert鈥檚 Krystle Shewchuk and Cherish Nontell of Christopher Lake competed in Para-Nordic Skiing and were coached by ten-time Paralympic medalist Colette Bourgonje.
While countless personal best results and performances were achieved by individual athletes at the Games, the Saskatchewan Games sees nine different sport Districts compete against each other for two major honours: the Games Flag and the Joe Griffith Trophy. The Games Flag is an impressive award given to the District who achieves the best overall performance at the Games by accumulating the most flag points. The amount of flag points a District team collects is determined by the scoring system for each sport; teams and individuals are awarded points based on their final placings. In a repeat of its success from the 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games in Estevan, Team Saskatoon took home the title with a total of 108 medals and 184 flag points.
The Joe Griffiths Award is given to the District team with the highest percentage improvement in final standings from the previous Saskatchewan Games. Comparison is made on a summer-to-summer and winter-to-winter basis. With an improvement of 15 flag points from the 2014 Winter Games in Prince Albert, Team 麻豆视频 East was awarded the trophy. Team 麻豆视频 East boasts athletes from Weyburn, Estevan, Balgonie and surrounding areas.
In addition to being an exceptional amateur sporting event, the Saskatchewan Games provide a spotlight for the host community鈥檚 spectacular volunteer dedication and civic pride. 鈥淲e owe an enormous thank you to all of our volunteers,鈥� said Games Co-Chair David Schell. 鈥淲e couldn鈥檛 have done any of this without them -- they stepped up in a huge way to showcase our community to the entire province.鈥� Over 1,200 people from the Battlefords and surrounding areas volunteered for the Games. This includes both the volunteers during Games time and the volunteer Host Organizing Committee, who spent the last two years planning the Games.
The 2018 Saskatchewan Winter Games will leave behind a half million dollar legacy of upgraded sporting venues and equipment in the Battlefords, as well as a trained and enthusiastic volunteer corps.聽鈥淥ne of the goals of the Saskatchewan Games is to enhance community development through a sport legacy of upgraded equipment, facilities, experienced officials, cultural understanding and appreciation, and a core group of volunteers,鈥� added Patrick. 鈥淭he Saskatchewan Games Council is very impressed with the legacy left behind in the Battlefords.鈥�
The next edition of the Saskatchewan Games will be in Lloydminster, who will host the 2020 Summer Games. The Saskatchewan Games will celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2022.
