MOOSE JAW — More than 200 high school students from across the province were in Moose Jaw recently participating in a competition to develop ideas to help the Saskatchewan Roughriders attract new fans.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s business diploma program teamed up with the football club to host the second annual case competition on Nov. 12, with 216 students in 54 teams from 23 schools competing to win more than $35,000 in prizes.
Based on the scenario of how the football club can attract new immigrants to Riders’ games, events or the brand — to “bleed green” and become part of Rider Nation — students had two hours to generate an idea and then present it to three judges, with one adjudicator in each room from the sports organization.
Some criteria the judges used to evaluate the projects included innovation, creativity, students’ energy during the presentations, communication skills and the ideas’ feasibility.
Stephen Kirzinger, the program head of the business diploma program (sport management specialty) in Moose Jaw, said there is no better way to reach a particular group than by hearing from the people in that community.
“So … with many high school students across Saskatchewan being newcomers to Canada, it’s a great way to collect their ideas of what might bring them out to a game or how they might interact with the brand … ,” he said, noting Sask. Polytech encouraged schools to send their best students regardless of whether they were Canadian or a new immigrant.
Hearing new ideas gives the Roughriders insight into attracting newcomers, while the organization can also use those concepts as a springboard to develop something of its own, Kirzinger continued. Moreover, the three personnel from upper management recorded the ideas and will report some possibilities to the team’s executive.
This case competition gives students the opportunity to work with industry and solve a real-world while building their resumés and experiencing what life is like in a Sask. Polytech classroom, he noted.
“It’s a wonderful event. We’re thrilled to welcome so many students from across our great province, and to partner with the Saskatchewan Roughriders is exceptionally meaningful,” Kirzinger added. “And I know it will be a meaningful day for (the team) too, hearing all these ideas from our great high school students … .”
Camden Husband, a Grade 11 student from Weyburn, said he participated because his brother took part years ago while he’s always been interested in business. So, when his teacher asked him to compete, he jumped at the opportunity.
Some lessons the youth learned during the competition included managing his nerves speaking in front of people, managing pressure, handling stress, understanding how businesses operate and learning about the capabilities that entrepreneurs possess.
Meanwhile, the idea his team developed encouraged the Riders to interact with schools more often and become involved in sports that immigrants like, such as soccer or rugby.
“It was a great experience (and) it was really fun,” Husband said, adding he is now considering the business diploma program after high school.
Winners
Members of the first-place team — Regina’s F.W. Johnson Collegiate — each received a $2,500 scholarship to the business diploma program, will be hosted in a suite at a Roughriders’ game in 2025, will have dinner with team executives, will receive a $100 gift card for either tickets or merchandise and will acquire a dual credit course through the School of Business.
The second-place team — Saskatoon’s Holy Cross — received $2,000 scholarships, a dual credit course and $100 Riders’ gift cards.
The third-place team — Yorkton Regional — received $1,500 scholarships, a dual credit course and $100 Riders’ gift cards.
The fourth- and fifth-place teams — Saskatoon’s Centennial Collegiate and Regina’s Campbell Collegiate, respectively — received a dual credit course and a $100 Riders’ gift card.
