By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| QB Kelli Young fires a pass downfield for the Valkyries. |
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
