By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| The women’s cricket festival created fun for female players. |
During the
Christmas holiday season, it has become common for the Indoor Training Centre
to host various sports camps that last one to potentially three days where the
focus is to make the sport fun for participants as well as help develop or
polish up skills. On Saturday, December 21, 2024, the Indoor Training Centre
hosted the CRIIIO Women’s Cricket Festival, which was something new for
the Complex grounds.
Cricket Saskatoon and the Saskatchewan Cricket Association
combined to host this event with the hopes of helping female players have a
good experience with the sport so they elect to pursue it further. The women’s
cricket festival was a first for Saskatchewan as a province.
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| A young cricket player makes a run to score a point. |
The second photo shows a hitter completing a run to score a point for her team. The third photo shows a young player getting pictured with a medal and an organizer after the completion of the festival.
The event
organizers ensured everyone who participated in the festival received a medal
as a memento of their participation in the festival.
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| A young cricket player, right, gets pictured with her medal. |
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 19 shots we hope you enjoy.
Smart slap bunt
A player from the Twin City Angels sends a slap bunt down the third base line during a practice session at the Indoor Training Centre on December 12, 2024. The Angels were working on executing regular and slap bunts during this session.
Perfecting a swing
A member of the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy program was working on the fundamentals of his swing at the Indoor Training Centre on December 13, 2024. The Berries Academy is one of the various academy programs that utilize the Indoor Training Centre during the winter months.
Eye on the ball
A member of the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy watches the ball into his glove during a rapid-fire infield defensive drill at the Indoor Training Centre on December 13, 2024. These types of drills help infielders get repetitions so they can execute plays like they are second nature.
Sweet moments on the ski trails
A couple of recreational skiers enjoy their time on the ski trails that cover Glenn Reeve Fields on December 15, 2024. While the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club uses these trails to teach young and junior aged skiers, the trails are open to be used by all. Recreational skiers will hit these trails after work during the week and on the weekends.
Feeling the thrill of speed
A member of the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club jets down the back straightaway at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on December 17, 2024. Established in 1942, the Lions have been a staple at the Oval for as long as anyone can remember.
Off to the races
A receiver, left, blasts downfield past a defender during Saskatoon Adult Flag Football League action at the Indoor Training Centre on December 17, 2024. The league includes numerous players who have been members of the CJFL’s Saskatoon Hilltops, U Sports’ University of Saskatchewan Huskies and the WWCFL’s Saskatoon Valkyries.
Let it rip
A skilled bowler fires the ball down the pitch during action at the CRIIIO Women’s Cricket Festival held at the Indoor Training Centre on December 21, 2024. The event was held to allow female players to gain a good experience with the sport of cricket as well as developing and polishing skills for the sport.
Sweet end to a great cricket day
Players, coaches, volunteers and umpires (referees) pose for a group photo showing off the medals following the CRIIIO Women’s Cricket Festival held at the Indoor Training Centre on December 21, 2024. Everyone who participated in this event received a medal as a memento. This was the first women’s cricket festival held in the province of Saskatchewan.
Turning on the jets for home
A player turns on the afterburners racing to home plate during Softball Canada’s female U15 Identification Camp held at the Indoor Training Centre on December 22, 2024. These camps were held across Canada in preparation for a pair of upcoming future international events.
Smiles are the norm at the Oval
A quartet of skaters enjoys taking a casual skate the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on December 29, 2024. Public skating sessions, especially during the Christmas holiday season, have been popular at the Oval for the last half decade.
Making it look easy
An infielder plays a ground ball in textbook fashion during the Frosty Fundamentals camp run by 222’s Fastpitch that concluded at the Indoor Training Centre on December 29, 2024. The Frosty Fundamentals annual two-day event allows players to get around the sport of softball during the Christmas holiday season.
Bringing the heat
A left-handed pitcher fires a toss to the plate during the Frosty Fundamentals camp run by 222’s Fastpitch that concluded at the Indoor Training Centre on December 29, 2024. The Frosty Fundamentals two-day event has become an annual tradition during the Christmas holiday season.
Climbing the ladder
A young first baseman corrals a high throw during a Going Yard Baseball Academy session on January 2, 2025. The crew at going yard were working with some of their younger players in this period.
Let it rip
A young pitcher fires a pitch to home plate during a Going Yard Baseball Academy session on January 2, 2025. The crew at Going Yard puts a lot of focus on fun and fundamentals with their younger players.
Navigating a downhill slalom
The Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club likes to introduce youngsters to all aspects of skiing. On January 5, 2025, a couple of young skiers learn how to weave through a mini slalom course set up on one of the hills on the trails located at the Glenn Reeve Fields.
An all-out blast
Members of the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club closed a practice session on January 5, 2025 playing a version of ultimate frisbee on skis using a soccer ball called “dunk slam.” Laughter filled the air on the Glenn Reeve Fields ski trails here.
Caught from behind
University of Saskatchewan defender Rachel Boyenko gets a grip on the flag of Honey Badgers receiver Kelsey Murphy during Saskatoon Adult Flag Football League action at the Indoor Training Centre on January 5, 2025. The players in the league play with a high level of skill and speed.
Inbounds doublecheck
BGees receiver Julene Hillis checks to see if she came down with a toe tap inbounds during Saskatoon Adult Flag Football League action at the Indoor Training Centre on January 5, 2025. Hillis did indeed come down with a back of the end zone catch for a touchdown.
Rounding the corner for stretch
run
A trio of skaters from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating club rounds the fourth corner at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval building up speed to jet down the front straightaway on January 8, 2025. The Lions will be hosting the Western Canadian Outdoor Classic on January 18 and 19, 2025 at the Oval.
