An abundance of local athletes have taken to the Saskatchewan Winter Games having begun on Sunday, Feb. 16, and being held until Saturday, Feb. 22, in Prince Albert.
The weeklong event pits eight districts against each other bringing together the best youth athletes in the province to compete in the prestigious event, which has even acted as a stepping stone for some Saskatchewan athletes who were competing on the world stage at the Olympics this month in Sochi, Russia.
Jodie Dunham, Â鶹ÊÓƵeast Connections Rhythmic Gymnastic coach from Wawota, explains that the games provide a unique experience for the youth who are chosen to attend.
"The games will benefit them, especially with the Olympics on T.V. right now, because it's like a mini version," Dunham said. "There's each district, the kids all have track suits, and even though you're from a small town you get to experience something many other kids don't get to."
In addition to the hype of the event, Dunham stated the Saskatchewan Winter Games allows youth to excel.
"It gets them up and in front of a crowd, away from their parents for the first time for some, and with their coaches in a competitive atmosphere," Dunham explained. "It's the first stepping stone."
These local youth who have proven themselves as some of the best in the Â鶹ÊÓƵeast district includes those from Alameda, Wawota, Maryfield, Lampman, Arcola, Carlyle, and Stoughton.
Badminton: Amy Cameron of Alameda, Devin Stewart of Wawota, Dustin Schill of Wawota, Kian Sweeting of Maryfield, and, their coach, Shelby Adams of Wawota.
Curling: Angela Hookenson of Lampman with the female team and Brayden Stewart, Derrick Kay, Brandon McMullin, and Carrick Friesen, coached by Cameron Thompson, all of Maryfield.
Figure Skating: Cassidy Weber of Arcola and Kyla Fischer of Carlyle who both skate out of the Carlyle Figure Skating Club under coach Dawn Dyer who will be attending the games with the skating team.
Rhythmic Gymnastics: Madison Wilson, Sarah Fahlman, Brianna DeRoo, Jacey Patterson, and Madison Mansfield, with coach, Jodie Dunham, all of Wawota.
Female Hockey: Ashlyn Taillon of Lampman, alongside Ashton Magotiaux, Makenna Morrison, and Raine Smith of Carlyle.
Male Hockey: Colton Schell of Lampman, Hayden Cutler of Arcola, and Trey Stocker of Stoughton.
Before leaving youth were very excited about the opportunity to represent their communities and couldn't wait to compete at such a level.
Doug Dahl, marketing and promotions chair, was quoted by the Leader Post as saying: "The Saskatchewan Winter Games are an important part of the sport development process in Saskatchewan. Many of the provincial sport governing bodies use the Saskatchewan Winter Games to help identify athletes."
Prior to the competition starting the Leader Post reported estimates of 1,700 athletes attending from the nine districts divided amongst Saskatchewan, with over 5,000 fans to attend, and 1,200 volunteers to assist in making sure the event runs smoothly.
Information on how these athletes have been doing at the Winter Games can be found at www.southeastconnection.ca.
