Saskatoon football pumped flag game in 2028 Olympics

Popularity of sport expected to increase further

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Two players jet downfield in a Rush high school flag game.

Saskatoon Minor Football has always been cutting edge with its flag football programs, and a welcome development is going to add more luster to the sport.

On October 16, 2023, flag football in both men’s and women’s events was approved by the International Olympic Committee for play in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, Calif. Flag football will be in the Olympic Games for the first time in 2028 along with squash, while baseball, softball, cricket and lacrosse return after varying absences. Flag football games at the Olympics will be contested in a five-on-five format on a 50-yard field with no linemen in both men’s and women’s action.

Brian Guebert, who is the executive director Saskatoon Minor Football, said the announcement that the flag game was going to be accepted into the Olympics was something his organization was anticipating for a while. He said there was a cool feeling when the official announcement came out.

“For it to be official was something really exciting,” said Guebert. “It was kind of that breath of fresh air going, ‘Alright. It is for real now and they’re moving forward with it in a high-performance capacity.’

“It has really changed the tune of how people are approaching the sport of flag football. A lot of times it was a secondary sport. It was something people did for recreation.

“Now, we’re seeing a lot of our young athletes saying, ‘I want to do this as my primary sport.’ That has been really exciting as a result of the announcement of it being an Olympic sport.”

Over the years, Saskatoon Minor Football has developed a number of flag programs including Lil’Tops 3-on-3 flag football, the NFL 5-on-5 Youth Flag Football League, the Rush Female High School Football Flag league, the Toon Squad competitive flag league and the Toon Squad travel teams. Outside of Saskatoon Minor Football, the Saskatoon Adult Flag Football League operates with men’s and women’s divisions and a number of those players coach in the programs offered by SMF.

Guebert said the inclusion of flag football to the Olympics will have a big positive impact on the elite-level side of the game.

“I just think that we will see some growth in our programing in particularly our high-performance program,” said Guebert. “We’ve been fortunate for the last two years in anticipation of this to give our athletes the best chance to compete.

Reed Thorstad coaches a Toon Squad league flag game.

“We have taken our Toon Squad teams, so our U16 and U19 female and male teams, down to the States the last two winters and compete in some high-performance tournaments down there. I think we will start to see a little more draw towards those programs especially leading up and following the Olympics.”

With that said, Guebert is expecting there will be increased popularity for the overall flag game and in all the flag leagues SMF oversees.

“Overall, our NFL youth flag league, our Rush high school girls flag league and we have a Toon Squad league that plays kind of a little more a high-performance model in the fall for females,” said Guebert. “I think we’ll see those steadily continue to grow.

“We’ve had some fantastic growth in really the last 15 or 20 years here. I think we’ll see those continue to sustain a pretty marked growth curve. I’m excited to see where flag football takes us as a football organization.”

Reed Thorstad, who is best known as a star receiver for the Saskatoon Valkyries women’s tackle football team, has played flag football for some time and coaches in both the tackle and flag side of the sport with SMF. She was excited flag football was accepted into the Olympics and said it is an amazing sport technically and tactically.

Thorstad believes Canada will be a high medal contender at the Olympics. She believes the fact flag football becoming an Olympic sport will add to what has been developed in Saskatoon.

“I think it is amazing what we have going on here in Saskatoon right now,” said Thorstad. “There has been a lot of growth in flag football both in the amount of girls playing flag football but also the level of skill that we’re seeing now.

“There is definitely an interest in it. I think that is going to continue to challenge everyone whether they’ve been playing for a long time or they’re new to the sport. Anyone that is chasing that Olympic dream should just work that much harder, because you know that next generation is going to be working for it too.”

Over the past two winters, Thorstad as a coach has taken an SMF female travel team to a tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida. She felt those experiences were eye opening for her players showing that they could play against the best players in their age group in the world.

As for herself, Thorstad will soon turn 28-years-old, so she isn’t sure where she would stand for potentially playing in the 2028 Olympics. She did say it is possible that players she coached could be playing in those games.

A quarterback, right, makes a pass in an NFL Youth flag game.

“Right now, I’m focused on our tackle season,” said Thorstad. “I’m still playing flag, and I love the sport.

“I think it would be an amazing opportunity to even have the chance to try and do that. I know that it is going to be tough competition in Canada, because we have some excellent flag football players and flag football teams. We will see what happens, but I think we’ll have some representation from Saskatchewan in some capacity.”

Cam Skinner, who is a defensive back for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies football team and is flag player too, believes having flag football at the Olympics is going to help the exposure for the sport of football overall.

“It is big for the sport for sure,” said Skinner. “You see just the flag numbers that have been rising.

“As a football player, it is cool to see more people just playing. Personally and just with the guys I’ve played with, we’re just excited for the potential to see something you’ve been playing on TV and in the Olympics and then have maybe the chance to go.”

Skinner, who is 24-years-old, is entering his fifth and final season of eligibility with the Huskies. He still has hopes of playing the tackle game professionally in the CFL, but he the added the opportunity of having the flag game as part of the Olympics is another chance to play the sport at a high level in 2028.

“The mindset is cool,” said Skinner. “The potential that would be my peak years.

“You always wonder now that it is an Olympic sport who is going to be available and excited to go. You look at the caliber of athletes we have in Canada. There are guys going to the NFL that might be vying for that spot kind of when that time comes around.

“As a guy that has played high level football in Canada and played a bunch of flag, it is an exciting opportunity just to even have that consideration out there. It will be interesting to see when 2028 comes around.”

Overall, Guebert said flag football has been important to SMF for some time, and have flag football in the Olympics gives that version of the sport an extra boost. He said it is a great entry point for the game because players need to bring cleats, and they are good to go.

“It is a low barrier of entry and then from a fundamental perspective it teaches fundamental skills that are transferable to high-performance flag but also transferable to tackle football,” said Guebert. “I’ll tell any of our parents that it is way harder to take a couple of flags off somebodies’ hips than it is to tackle them.

A Falcons runner rips downfield in an NFL Youth flag game.

“Flag teaches you to be in that good position to wrap up and make a tackle. It teaches you route running. It teaches you ball protection and ball catching and carrying.

“It teaches you coverage skills. It teaches you rushing skills. It teaches you pursuit angles. It is all really, really good without having any contact involved.”

For more information on the flag and other programs offered by Saskatoon Minor Football, feel free to check out their website at saskatoonminorfootball.com.

Playground To Pros and other fun pack into photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

A receiver, left, makes a tough catch at a Playground To Pros session.

The enthusiasm that you can experience at Playground To Pros is contagious.

Saskatoon Minor Football ran the annual Easter break camp for young players in Grades 5 to 8 at the Indoor Training Centre from April 2 to 4. SMF brings in a variety of guest coaches that are either playing in the CFL or alums of the professional ranks along with some of the top football coaches in Saskatoon.

The players at Playground To Pros go through a variety of drills that focus on skill development in a fun environment. 

Jorgen Hus coaches young players at Playground To Pros.

If you are ever around one of the Playground To Pros camp sessions, you can tell the coaches do a great job of delivering fun, because it seems the players always exude a positive and energetic vibe.

All the sessions at the camp lead to a scrimmage session that is held in the afternoon on the last day, which was April 4. This session closes the camp and gives players a chance to show off what they have learned.

Our lead picture of our photo roundup sees a receiver making a great catch under tight coverage during one of the scrimmages on April 4. 

The second picture of the photo roundup shows Saskatchewan Roughriders veteran long snapper Jorgen Hus directing a group of players during a scrimmage session.

A defensive back mades an interception at Playground To Pros.

The third picture of the photo roundup shows a young defensive back making an interception in scrimmage action.

With the spring sports season almost here, the Indoor Training Centre has been a massive hub of activity for the past month. Various baseball, cricket, rugby and softball groups have been at the facility doing preparation work so they can hit the ground running when their various campaigns begin.

The pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, the majority of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke. Also, Vic Pankratz also checks in with a pair of photos from Playground To Pros.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 17 shots we hope you enjoy.

Hofmann shows off new toy

Our baseball family can now enjoy two new portable five-foot wide by 10-foot long mounds which will be safer for pitching drills. We have one for each the north and south fields at the Indoor Training Centre. Logan Hofmann is shown trying out one of the new mounds.

Got it at the wall

A Saskatoon Cubs outfielder makes a catch at the wall during a training session on March 13 at the Indoor Training Centre. On the dividing curtain that splits the field turf field into the north and south fields, the solid green lower portion of the curtain is meant to simulate an outfield wall.

Out at first

A Saskatoon Giants infielder sets to secure a catch at first base for an out during a training session on March 13 at the Indoor Training Centre. Baseball groups enjoy the fact they can set up a regular infield at the Indoor Training Centre for practices.

Mastering the wild pitch block

Saskatoon Cubs catcher Osher Stromberg makes sure he gets his body in front of a ball to control a wild pitch as part of a wild pitch drill he did on March 13 at the Indoor Training Centre. Stromberg is a player you can watch in order to pick up tips on how to be a better catcher.

Out at second

A Saskatoon Raiders infielder sets to secure an out at second base during a training session on March 19 at the Indoor Training Centre. Enthusiasm was high among the players at this practice as the spring season closes in.

Coming right at you

A hitter at a 222’s Fastpitch training session drives the ball hard straight into the net at the Indoor Training Centre on March 19. The players in the hitting drills at this practice focused on technique.

Eye on the ball

A catcher looks the ball into her glove during a 222’s Fastpitch training session held on March 19 at the Indoor Training Centre. The catchers did various drills revolving around technique with a particular focus on getting throws off to second base at this session.

Let it rip

A bowler from the Bison Cricket Club Saskatoon makes a delivery to a hitter during a live competitive session in a pitching lane on March 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. It is becoming more common that onlookers from sports groups in neighbouring surroundings will check out the work of the cricket groups.

Hitter with a reach

A hitter from the Bison Cricket Club Saskatoon reaches out to make a connection during a live competitive session in a pitching lane on March 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. The cricket groups are looking forward to their upcoming outdoor season in spring.

Windup with flow

A young pitcher flows through her windup during a 222’s Fastpitch Pitching Factory day on March 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. During Pitching Factory days, young pitchers aged 13 and under worked on the skills of throwing various pitches and take part in defensive drills from the pitching circle.

Here comes the heat

A young pitcher fires a toss during a Going Yard Baseball Academy training session on March 26 at the Indoor Training Session. The instructors at Going Yard were working with a younger group of hurlers on this day, and a lot of focus was paid to skill development.

Selects scoop toss

A Saskatoon Selects infielder makes a scoop toss during a rapid-fire infield tossing drill on Easter Sunday, March 31 at the Indoor Training Centre. This Selects session was held after the dinner hour, and the players had a tonne of fun on this day.

Toss out of trouble

A member of the Saskatoon Wild Oats Rugby Club passes the ball to a teammate during a drill at the Indoor Training Centre on April 1. The Wild Oats coaches will work to get their players to be able to make quick decisions as rugby is a sport with constant motion.

Throw to start a drill

A member of the Saskatoon Wild Oats Rugby Club passed the ball into his teammates to start a drill at the Indoor Training Season on April 1. The Wild Oats are preparing for their upcoming season in the spring.

Driving through the tackle

A couple of members of the Saskatoon Wild Oats Rugby Club work on a tackling drill with a blocking pad on April 1. The tackler is driving through the player holding the blocking pad with power.

Tough running

Vic Pankratz checks in here with a photo from a Playground To Pros session on April 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. In this picture, a young running back tries to get out of the grips of a tackler during a one-on-one competitive drill.

Catch coming in stride

Vic Pankratz also gave us this sweet picture from the Playground To Pros session on April 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. In this shot, a young receiver is set to make a catch in stride while running his route with a defensive back in the vicinity. You can check out more of Vic’s photos at vicpankratzmedia.com.

Frisky to realize dream

Pitcher will play for Canada’s under-18 women’s softball team

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Emma Frisky will play for Canada’s under-18 women's national team.

Emma Frisky is going to live her dream a little faster than she anticipated.

The skill right-handed pitcher, who will turn 16-years-old on March 10, was named to Softball Canada’s Under-18 Women’s National Team that will play in the 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation Americans Pan Am Championship slated to run March 30 to April 6 in Monteria, Colombia. While the official announcement of the Canadian roster came out on February 26, Frisky is still pretty awestruck by the news.

“It is kind of surreal still,” said Frisky. “It is a great honour to wear the leaf and represent my country.

“It has been a great since I was a little girl. It feels great that it is coming true.”

Playing on one of Softball Canada’s national teams has been a lifelong aspiration for Frisky. She began playing the sport at age four when her family was located in her original hometown in Tisdale.

Frisky played lots of minor softball for the Spirit program in Melfort. At the 2022 Under-15 Girls Canadian Fastpitch Championship held on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds in August of that year, Frisky was named the all-star pitcher playing for the Spirit.

From about age seven or eight, she also began training with the 222’s Fastpitch program in the late summer, fall and winter months at a young age and has been a member of their travel teams for about four years.

About two years ago, her family relocated to Martensville, which allowed Frisky to play her first season with the Twin City Angels program last year. Frisky, who stands 5-foot-8, helped the Angels win a provincial title and appear in the Under-15 Girls Canadian Fastpitch Championship help last August in Brandon, Man.

Even to this point in her young life, Frisky has gained numerous positive experiences from the sport of softball.

“All my best friends have come from this sport,” said Frisky, who also plays third base and shortstop when she is not pitching. “I’ve learned so many life lessons.

Emma Frisky chats with a 222’s Fastpitch teammate.

“I really like the feeling of being on a team where you know that all the girls have your back and that competitiveness you get on championship Sunday to go out and that edge to go win. It is a good feeling.”

In her current Grade 10 school year, Frisky spent the first semester attending Tommy Douglas Collegiate, where she did further softball training at the Tigers Softball Academy overseen by Trevor Ethier and Don Bates. She is taking her second semester of studies at Martensville High School.

She said the biggest influences she has had helping her along in the sport have come from the 222’s and the Tigers programs.

“I’d say the Twos (222’s Fastpitch) program has been my biggest influence,” said Frisky. “I liked all my coaches when I was younger growing up that have pushed me in this direction.

“A big shout out to Dean Holoien and Keith Mackintosh and “Rayzor” (Ryan) Ray, and then at the softball academy Trevor Ethier and Don Bates.”

Mackintosh, who is one of the 222’s veteran instructors and head coach of Canada’s under-18 women’s team, said Frisky had a great compete level and strives to get better. The veteran field boss, who is a member of International Softball Congress Hall of Fame, said Frisky excels at the sport for a number of reasons.

“I just think her work ethic has got her to the point where she throws with velocity,” said Mackintosh. “Her spins are great.

“She is very mature for her age in that regard. I really think the number on thing that probably makes Emma who she is as a player is her compete level. She just wants to play softball.

“She wants to win for her teammates. She is an unbelievable teammate that way.”

Frisky’s fastball has gotten up to 64 miles per hour, which is impressive for someone about to turn 16-years-old. She also had great control of her rise ball, drop curve and change up.

Mackintosh said Frisky deserves to be on the under-18 national team, and the coaches decided to take her and a couple of other players that are the same age as her having an eye to the future. If Canada finishes in the top five of the WBSC Americans Pan Am Championship, the squad advances to the WBSC Under-18 Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage.

The World Cup Group Stages have been awarded to Sao Paolo, Brazil (Group A – July 23-27), Pingtan, China (Group B – August 14-18) and Dallas, Texas, in the United States (Group C – August 29 to September 2). If Canada is successful in the group stage earning a spot to the under-18 worlds in 2015, the 2006 born players who are on Canada’s roster at the moment will fall off.

Emma Frisky’s fastball can hit 64 miles per hour.

Knowing what could happen if Canada earns a spot at worlds next year, Mackintosh said the coaching staff was looking to carry some younger aged players on the under-18 team this year.

“We just thought we’re going to take some young players and give them a taste of international competition to see how they do, and then we know exactly where we are at a year and a half down the road,” said Mackintosh.“That was part of it.

“She (Frisky) earned her way on. She had a great camp. She had a great summer season.

“I’m really proud of the development she has had over the last couple of years. She just deserved to be there.”

Mackintosh believes Frisky has the potential to play softball at the highest levels long into the future.

“I think the sky is the limit for her,” said Mackintosh. “You look at the age of our senior national team going into an Olympic year in 2028 it is going to be a fairly older team.

“I think that the next generation of players that are coming up of that age group Emma is definitely one of those players that she could be wearing the maple leaf for a very long time. The hope is she goes to a good school in the States.I just think the upside to her and her career is unlimited.”

Frisky said she wants to follow in the path of her favourite player in Jorde Chartrand. Chartrand is an ace right-handed pitcher and power hitter with the NCAA Division I University of North Carolina Greensboro Spartans Women’s Softball Team in Greensboro, N.C.

A Weyburn, Sask., product, Chartrand spent a number of years playing in Saskatoon and training at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. She suited up for Softball Canada’s Senior National Women’s Team in 2022.

“Jordy (Jorde) Chartrand is my biggest idol,” said Frisky. “I look up to her.

“When she made the national team, that was kind of inspiration. To see her live her dreams kind of helped push me to get there myself.”

Emma Frisky takes part in a bunt defence drill.

Looking towards the future, Frisky wants to earn more chances to represent Canada at the international level and earn a scholarship to play softball for an NCAA Division I school. At the moment, her focus is on the immediate future in playing for Canada at the WBSC Americans Pan American Championship tournament.

“It is coming up pretty quick,” said Frisky. “It is really exciting.

“I’m super excited to go down there and meet all the girls. It is going to be an awesome experience.”

Photo roundup features winter in stretch run, spring around corner

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

QB Kelli Young fires a pass downfield for the Valkyries.

Don’t let the early March snow dump fool you.

Winter is in its stretch run and the spring sports season is just around the corner.

The Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval hosted its final practice sessions for the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club and public skating. It closed for the season following the public skating session on March 3, and there are already people anticipating its return in December.

The skiing community was dealt a tough hand by fate this winter season with the first real snowfall coming in early January. Still, the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club pushed through maximizing use on the trails on Glenn Reeve Fields mainly with instruction sessions for junior aged skiers.

One of the big signs that shows spring is around the corner is seeing the eight-time WWCFL champion Saskatoon Valkyries preparing for their upcoming campaign at the Indoor Training Centre. The lead photo of our photo roundup sees Valkyries backup quarterback Kelli Young slinging a pass downfield behind strong protection during a team practice session on February 25.

Various baseball, softball and lacrosse groups continue to prepare for their outdoor seasons. The cricket sporting community gets as much time in as possible in anticipation of game action in the spring.

The University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team continues their conditioning work looking forward to their upcoming U Sports season in the fall. They are one of the many groups that works out under the guidance of the crew at Ignite Athletics.

This photo roundup concludes showing off something special that went up in all the buildings on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

The pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, all of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 14 shots we hope you enjoy.

Fun at Lions practice

The members of the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club aim to live the notion that if you love a sport it will love you back. During a practice on February 14 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval, one of the Lions skaters has a bit of fun doing an airplane glide to the chuckles of those following in her group.

Open field juke

A young player puts a fake out juke move on a coach during a drill at a Saskatoon Havoc Field Lacrosse training session on February 21 at the Indoor Training Centre. The turf field at the Indoor Training Centre allows field lacrosse groups to simulate situations in outdoor contests.

Beauty February break camp swing

A young hitter makes a sound connection on a ball during a Going Yard Baseball Academy February break camp session on February 23 at the Indoor Training Centre. The four-day camp is set up for younger aged players to get a baseball fix in during their week off from school and create a change up from the other activities they are involved in.

Bringing the heat

A pitcher delivers a throw to home plate during a Going Yard Baseball Academy training session for the academy’s regular players on February 23 at the Indoor Training Centre. The pitcher was throwing in a live at bats session which always brings the competitive spirit.

Friendly push down the back straightaway

A couple of skaters have some fun coming down the back straightaway of the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 25. One skater was giving a friendly push from behind to another skater during a public skating session. Public skating sessions are all about fun and enjoying the Oval.

Youngsters take over ski trails

An instructor keeps an amused watchful eye on a group of young skiers out on the ski trials made on top of Glenn Reeve Fields on February 25. A huge number of young skiers took over the ski trails on this afternoon.

Focused MLB

Saskatoon Valkyries star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale studies an offensive set during a set of scrimmage repetitions during a practice session on February 25 at the Indoor Training Centre. Dale often knows where the ball is going to go just from how an offensive unit lines up.

A different style of “stretch run”

Two members from the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team do work with resistance training with an elastic band on February 29 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Huskies players get put through various innovative workouts during their conditioning sessions overseen by the crew at Ignite Athletics to prepare for the upcoming season.

Eye on the ball

A catcher tracks the ball into her glove during a 222’s Fastpitch training session on March 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. The instructors with the 222’s help catchers to develop chemistry with their pitchers and create the skills to react instinctively to various defensive situations.

Into the windup

A pitcher focuses on taking the proper steps in delivering a pitch during a 222’s Fastpitch training session on March 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. The instructors with the 222’s assist pitchers with perfecting all aspects of their deliveries.

Special delivery

A bowler fires a ball down the pitching lanes at the Indoor Training Centre during a Bison Cricket Club Saskatoon practice on March 2. Bison members from junior to adult ages focused on sharpening up their skills.

Line drive

A hitter from the Bison Cricket Club Saskatoon drives a hit down the pitching lanes during a team practice on March 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. Hitters in cricket aim to master the art of knowing when to make big hits to score runs and when to make defensive hits to prevent outs.

Land Acknowledgement

All the buildings on our grounds have a new addition. When you enter any of the buildings on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex, a Land Acknowledgement wall mount will be present in or close to the main entrance way.

Logo meaning

Here is a close up look of the logo that appears on the Land Acknowledgement wall mounts in the buildings on our grounds.

The butterfly is for truth and reconciliation.

The stemming is to give the effect of tree/represent community.

The two hands at different sizes promote different people helping another or others…or a coach/player or adult/child teamwork approach.

The six dots are for Treaty 6.

The Metis infinity represents the union of two cultures.

The growing plant…plants/leaves represent hope and growth.

The feathers…ultimate gift/reward to achieve from the community you provide for.

And lastly, the ring border is the medicine wheel symbolizing all four aspects for a holistic way of living…goals for athletes and all who want to feel holistic.

The Gordie Howe Sports Complex would like to extend a huge thank you to artist Chris Chipak for the creation of the Gordie Howe Sports Complex Land Acknowledgment logo.

To view more of Chris’ art follow him on Instagram @inchipakwetrust

Cricket on cusp of boom in Saskatoon

Players use Complex while new facilities sought for sport

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

A young cricket player practices making a defensive hit.

Cricket in Saskatoon is on the verge of having a boom, but the potential boom could be deflated before it really gets going.

That is a scenario Bishwajit Sanyal, who is the President of Cricket Saskatoon, wants to avoid. Incorporated in 2003, Cricket Saskatoon plugged along with a modest number of players for a lengthy stretch.

In recent years, the sport has seen a spike in growth. Sanyal said two years ago there were 200 adult players taking part in the sport and that number has since grown to 400. He added in 2021 the sport had 10 teams, it grew to 14 teams last year and there could be 22 teams this year.

Sanyal said the fact there was a cricket community in Saskatoon helped keep him in the sport when he moved to the city from Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2015. His involvement in the sport locally grew from being a player, to a junior coach in 2019, to taking on Cricket Saskatoon’s Vice-President’s role in 2022 and becoming the organization’s President last year.

“When I moved to Canada, I never ever thought I would play cricket here,” said Sanyal.“When I came here, and I saw people were playing, then I also started playing.”

There has been growth on the junior side of the game too, which consists of players 18-and-under. Tapankumar Bhatt, who is the Director Junior Cricket Saskatoon, said there usually had been around five to 10 junior aged players in the game. That changed last year when Cricket Saskatoon attracted 55 junior players including both boys and girls.

“If I say Saskatoon is an immigrant hub, a lot of immigrants are coming from world wide,” said Bhatt. “This game is very popular in Southeast Asia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Caribbeans and America.

“Everywhere it is now growing popular, so people coming from other parts of the world they are missing this sport. Because we are conducting it now, the kids get a platform. Their parents are engaged.

“Their friends back at home used to play. Because we started this year, now, they get this sport.”

A bowler delivers a throw at a junior tournament.

Sanyal said the sport in Saskatoon needs new cricket specific facilities to handle the growth the sport is seeing.

“I just need to do all I can to take care of my kids,” said Sanyal. “Hopefully, the city will give them a good place to grow up, and they can go and play for Cricket Canada and Canada national team.”

Cricket does have a lengthy history in Saskatoon and Saskatchewan. When Canada became a country in 1867, cricket was declared the country’s first official sport. It was popular among early settlers in Saskatchewan, but the popularity faded as sports like hockey and baseball became more widely played.

Cricket still had a presence in Saskatoon with games regularly being played at Kinsmen Park until the 1980s, when the sport’s pitch was moved to the Saskatoon Forestry Farm. In the early 2010s, cricket began to grow again and two pitches were added in Pierre Radisson Park. The first pitch at that location opened in 2016 and a second pitch was added in 2021.

“Saskatchewan has a very old history about cricket,” said Sanyal. “We have three cricket grounds in Forestry Farm land and two of them on Pierre Radisson Park.

“Forestry Farm is now not playable. Pierre Radisson Park is very close to the neighbourhood, and we can’t even play proper cricket there.”

For indoor training in the winter months, Cricket Saskatoon has utilized both the Saskatoon Field House and the Indoor Training Centre at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. Sanyal said the staffs at both places have been great, but the coaches with Cricket Saskatoon have to modify or plan drills in both places. When both places were built, they weren’t originally planned to be used by cricket sports groups.

At the Indoor Training Centre, cricket players often practice the skills of their sport inside the batting cages. Sanyal said working in the batting cages is tough for the bowler (the player who pitches the ball in cricket), because the bowler usually needs a run up of 10 or 15 metres before throwing the ball.

With all that noted, two big successes Cricket Saskatoon had at the Indoor Training Centre was being able to hold the Indoor Junior Cricket Tournament on December 23, 2023 and the Envision Sports Club Tape Ball Cricket Tournament 2023 on December 30, 2023 at that facility.

A hitter makes a run to score a point at a junior tournament.

Bhatt was pleased the junior tournament went well. He said that event was a success because they had enough junior players to hold it, and they were able to successfully run junior games on the field turf at the Indoor Training Centre.

“That was amazing, because we never thought of that big successes,” said Bhatt. “We invited MLAs, MPs, and the councillors.

“The parents were here, so a lot of parents had never been in this facility before. They were amazed. They came from another part of the world.

“This kind of a bigger facility where you have indoor cricket you can play. It is a big ground, when you merge both north and south (fields). It was a very successful tournament, and we got a lot of visibility.”

Outdoors, Cricket Saskatoon hosted a Mini World Cup on May 6, 2023 at Pierre Radisson Park. Teams represented six community groups including Canada, Bangladeshi Community Association of Saskatchewan, India-Canada Cultural Association, Pakistan-Canada Culture Association, Sri Lanka Association of Saskatoon and South Africa. A total of 1,000 people came out to enjoy that one day event.

“It is a really fun game for like everyone that comes,” said Sanyal. “All our Saskatoon residents they are having fun, and now kids are also coming.”

Bhatt said he started playing cricket again after a number of years not playing the sport due to the fact his children are playing and he is involved as the director for the junior level of Cricket Saskatoon. The 41-year-old is looking forward to making good special memories when his team plays the junior side his children play on this coming season.

“We left cricket like 10 years back, 15 years back,” said Bhatt. “Now, we are starting it again, because our kids are playing.

“Our kids will face us in the game that is the biggest thing.”

Still, Sanyal is worried about turning players away and capping registrations, because of the lack of facilities for the sport in Saskatoon. He is concerned that players who are turned away or decide to leave the sport won’t come back if they elect to pursue other sports or activities. Sanyal believes cricket can be a great sport for the city.

A young player drives the ball at during a junior tournament.

“It is growing,” said Sanyal. “The main problem is we are having to choose with our facilities.

“We don’t have enough good ground for cricket.One of the greatest cricket players name is Sachin Tendulkar. He is from India, Mumbai.

“If anyone in cricket knows about cricket, they know about Sachin Tenduklar. I just want to make sure that one day we will produce that type of player, (and) everyone knows Saskatoon, where Saskatoon is all over the world.”

For more information about Cricket Saskatoon, feel free to check out their website at www.cricketsaskatoon.com. Check out the video below for an overview of the sport of cricket.

Blue Jays visit highlights photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Jose Bautista works with a youngster on gripping a bat.

If you were at the Indoor Training Centre on the morning of February 2, there is a good chance you became a Toronto Blue Jays fan.

The Blue Jays are known as Canada’s MLB team, but that gained a new connection type feeling locally when Jose Bautista, Buck Martinez, Jose Berrios and Jamie Campbell visited Saskatoon.

All four dropped in to help out with a baseball clinic put on by Kinsmen of Saskatoon in the morning of February 2 at the Indoor Training Centre.

The clinic was part of the festivities associated with the Kinsmen Sports Celebrity Dinner held later that night at the TCU Place.

Andrew Albers and Jose Berrios give points to young players.

Bautista and Martinez, who are both retired Blue Jays players, along with Berrios, who is a current Blue Jays pitching ace, helped with the drills. Martinez is best known for becoming the beloved “voice of the Blue Jays” after the conclusion of his playing days. Campbell, who is a broadcaster, circled around visiting everyone who wanted to talk.

Our lead picture of our photo roundup shows Bautista working with a youngster on how to properly grip a bat. The second picture of the photo roundup shows retired MLB pitcher and Going Yard Baseball Academy instructor Andrew Albers along with Berrios passing on some instructions to a group of youngsters.

The clinic also included a football station overseen by Saskatchewan Roughriders members Noah Zerr and Jorgen Hus. They did a terrific job teaching the youngsters how to throw and catch. Our third photo shows the Roughriders pair giving teaching tips to a group of youngsters.

Noah Zerr (#68) and Jorgen Hus (#46) instruct at a football station.

Along with more photos from the baseball clinic from February 2, the pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. This photo roundup contains images from the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet hosted by the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club along with pictures involving baseball, cricket, football, softball and Ultimate disc.

In this photo roundup, most of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke along with one cool submitted check in.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 20 shots we hope you enjoy.

Sweet stroke

Hitter Olivia Prokopchuk works on her stroke during a Saskatoon Lasers training session on January 11 at the Indoor Training Centre. Prokopchuk has a strong ability to be able to crush the ball with power on the softball diamonds.

Set for delivery

A group of pitchers prepare to deliver the ball during a Saskatoon Royals female baseball program training session on January 14 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Royals had a healthy turnout of players from various age groups on this day who came out to work on the fundamentals of the game.

Ready to bring the heat

A Saskatoon Cubs pitcher sets to fire a ball across the plate during a training session on January 14 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Cubs also had a good togetherness vibe going as they look towards the upcoming under-18 AAA Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League season.

All about focus

A player keeps her eye on the ball focusing on a catch during a fielding drill at a 222’s Fastpitch program training session on January 17 at the Indoor Training Centre. The players at 222’s training sessions get a healthy amount of repetitions in drills which allows them to improve.

Conditioning key to on field success

George Idoko, who is a defensive lineman for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team, runs some short hurdles during a team training session on January 18 at the Indoor Training Centre. The work Idoko puts in now will allow him sack quarterbacks and stop running backs late in the fourth quarter of games in September, October and November.

Looking for an opening

An offensive player looks for a passing lane against a defender during Saskatoon Ultimate Sport-Disc Society league action on January 19 at the Indoor Training Centre. In Saskatoon Ultimate Sport-Disc Society league play, you get to see lots of athletic plays and fun.

Speed comes from the stride

A young skater focuses on making the perfect stride in a race during the first day at the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet on January 20 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. Everyone from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club looks forward to the annual local meet.

Zamboni at work

Our own Greg Nichol drives the Zamboni for a flood of the ice surface at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on January 20 between races at the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet. It is part of Canadian culture to dream about driving the Zamboni. With that said, Greg is one of the best in the province when it comes to that skill.

Blast off

A group of young skates takes off from the start line during a race on the second day of the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet on January 21 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. The John Sands Classic was a tremendous success thanks to the work of the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club.

Strategy in the pack

A group of skaters heads down the front straightaway of the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval as part of a 10-lap open race to close out the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet on January 21. The skaters were trying to determine a plan for the lengthy race.

Ready to deliver

A young bowler gets set to fire a ball down the pitching lanes at the Indoor Training Centre as part of a junior cricket practice on January 21. The crew at Cricket Saskatoon does an outstanding job teaching young players the skills of the game.

Making it look routine

One of the highly skilled wicket-keepers from Cricket Saskatoon’s junior program makes an off to the side catch look easy during a training session on January 21 at the Indoor Training Centre. Wicket-keepers have to be ready for all sorts of situations that could happen.

Impressive turnout for Valkyries

The Saskatoon Valkyries Winter Camp attracted a total of 95 athletes to the Indoor Training Centre on January 28. The Valkyries are taking their first steps on a quest to win a ninth WWCFL title. A big thanks to the Valkyries for this photo.

Bringing the heat

A pitcher fires the ball to home plate during a Going Yard Baseball Academy training session on January 30 at the Indoor Training Centre. The instructors at Going Yard assist players in perfecting various little fundaments to help them play the game better.

A little help from Buck

A young hitter gets some help with his batting stance from retired Toronto Blue Jays catcher and current “voice of the Blue Jays” Buck Martinez on February 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. Martinez lent a helping hand to a baseball clinic put on by Kinsmen of Saskatoon.

Set for the throw to first

A young player sets to make a throw to first base during an infield drill at a baseball clinic put on by Kinsmen of Saskatoon on February 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. The clinic allowed players to take part in various baseball skill building drills and meet members of the MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays.

Ready for spring training

Toronto Blue Jays ace pitcher Jose Berrios gets some work done in the pitching tunnels at the Indoor Training Centre on February 2. It won’t be long now before Berrios will be reporting for spring training with the Blue Jays.

Making an impression

A young receiver makes a catch during a high school camp run by the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football team on February 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. The players were looking to make good impressions for the Huskies coaches.

A well-deserved honour

On February 2, Bryan Kosteroski, who is the chair of Gordie Howe Sports Complex Management Incorporated and Friends of the Bowl Foundation, was named the 2023 recipient of Kinsmen Sportsperson of the Year award. The honour has been awarded since 1961. Kosteroski was given the honour for his many decades of service to sports in Saskatoon in various roles including athlete, coach, official and administrator. Kosteroski, right, is pictured with Jose Bautista.

Aiming to impress

A young pitcher unloads a throw during Saskatoon Phantoms evaluations at the Indoor Training Centre on February 8. The Phantoms were evaluating players in their U15 and U17 age groups.