By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| The Valkyries celebrate winning the WWCFL title on June 27. |
On
Saturday, June 27, the Valkyries hosted the Edmonton Arctic Pride in the WWCFL
Championship Game at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Arctic Pride hit the
scoreboard first when quarterback Bianka Suzuki connected with receiver Emily
McMillan on a long touchdown pass to go ahead 7-0.
The
Valkyries responded scoring 40 unanswered points to romp to a 40-7 victory.
With the win, the Valkyries have won the WWCFL title 11 times since first
taking the field in 2011, and they have emerged victorious in the last six
consecutive WWCFL Championship Games. Saskatoon finished out the 2026 campaign
with a perfect 6-0 record to go along with a 45 game overall winning streak.
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| Emmarae Dale makes a tackle for the Valkyries. |
The
Valkyries claimed the 2023 WWCFL title playing at Griffiths Stadium on the
University of Saskatchewan campus due to SMF Field being booked up that year. They
also won WWCFL title games when they called Griffiths their main home field in 2012
and 2014.
Our lead
picture of this photo roundup shows the Valkyries captains raising the WWCFL
Championship Trophy following their latest WWCFL title win on June 27. The
second shot sees Valkyries star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale taking down an
Arctic Pride ball carrier.
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| Drew Lundquist ran for 126 yards in the WWCFL title game. |
Along with the pictures from the Valkyries WWCFL title win,
this photo roundup is loaded with images from the continuing outdoor spring and
summer season. The photo roundup has pictures from the Complex’s staple sports
in baseball, football, softball and track and field.
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 22 shots we hope you enjoy.
Bound
for the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame
Dean Bertoia and Kent Kowalski, right, shake hands at a news conference to announce the 2026 class for the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame on June 11 at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building. Bertoia is heading to the Hall as an athlete for his exploits in athletics. Kowalski is heading to the Hall as an athlete for his exploits in soccer. The induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 7 at 5:30 p.m. at Prairieland Park.
Out at second
Saskatoon Berries second baseman Gael Salinas, left, places a tag on Swift Current 57s base runner Adam Rowland at Cairns Field. The Berries claimed this WCBL regular season clash 9-5.
Making a plate block look easy
A Saskatoon Phantoms catcher comes up with a plate block during a game at the Murphy’s U11 Tournament on June 14 at Glenn Reeve Field #4. The Murphy’s tournament has become an annual season highlight for young softball squads.
Catch in traffic
While it is supposed to be non-contact, flag football can have its moments of physicality. During action at Football Saskatchewan’s Girls High School Flag Football Provincial Championships on June 14 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Holy Cross High School receiver Addison Frey gets hammered making a catch over the middle. Frey hung on to the ball, got up, shrugged off the contact and continued to play. Frey is also a defender with the Saskatoon Stars Female Under-18 AAA hockey team.
Slick escape
St. Joseph High School quarterback Adley Tomlenovich eludes pressure and fires a pass downfield during Football Saskatchewan’s Girls High School Flag Football Provincial Championships on June 14 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Tomlenovich’s squad would win the senior provincial title.
Taking flight
An athlete from the Running Wild Athletics Club takes to the air on June 14 at the Track and Field Track. On that day, the Track and Field Track was the site for Saskatchewan Athletics U12, U14 and Master Provincials along with the U16 and U18 trials for the Western Canada Team Challenge squads for that meet set for July 17 to 19 in Regina.
Hitting stride
A group of five runners rounds the corner during a U18 female 800-metre race at the Track and Field Track on June 14. The runners were taking part in Saskatchewan Athletics U12, U14 and Master Provincials along with the U16 and U18 trials for the Western Canada Team Challenge squads for that meet set for July 17 to 19 in Regina.
Sweet special teams TD
Saskatoon Valkyries defensive lineman Grace Farthing (#50) soaks in reaching the end zone for a special teams touchdown on June 20 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. In the fourth quarter facing the Winnipeg based Manitoba Fearless in the WWCFL Prairie Conference Final, Farthing blocked a punt and proceeded to scoop up the loose ball and run it in for a major. Farthing’s effort powered the Valkyries to a 17-7 victory.
Showtime
A dancer with the “Circle of 5ths Crew” from The Spot Arts Community puts on a move you need to see to believe on June 20 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. A total of six members from the “Circle of 5ths Crews” performed at halftime of the WWCFL Prairie Conference Final won by the Saskatoon Valkyries.
Obed for six
Saskatoon Valkyries receiver Ricki Obed, left, celebrates hauling in an eight-yard touchdown reception with fellow veteran receiver Rachelle Smith in the WWCFL Championship Game on June 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Obed’s score put the Valkyries up 14-7 in the second quarter, and they cruised to a 40-7 victory over the Edmonton Arctic Pride.
O’Neill boots four
Saskatoon Valkyries kicker Kaylin O’Neill had a memorable outing in her team’s 40-7 in the WWCFL Championship Game over the Edmonton Arctic Pride on June 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. O’Neill connected on four field goals coming from 32, 22, 22 and 30 yards to help power the Saskatoon side to victory.
Running with purpose
Saskatoon Valkyries running back Teagan Craig jets her way upfield in her team’s WWCFL Championship Game victory over the Edmonton Arctic Pride on June 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Craig is part of the Valkyries running back foursome that made big plays for the squad all season.
Arctic Pride game MVP goes to
McMillan
Edmonton Arctic Pride receiver and defensive back Emily McMillan had a huge outing in her team’s WWCFL Championship Game loss to the Saskatoon Valkyries on June 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. McMillan was named the Arctic Pride game MVP for her efforts on both offence and defence. On offence, McMillan caught five passes for 65 yards and one touchdown. On defence, she recorded four solo tackles, five tackle assists and a pass knockdown.
A championship forever memory
Saskatoon Valkyries defensive back Lexi Beuker is pictured holding the WWCFL championship trophy standing with a quartet of her biggest supporters on June 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Following their victory in the WWCFL Championship Game, the Valkyries players and coaches spent time post-game getting photos taken on the field with their family and friends.
Going to the house
A receiver from Seaman’s Squad jets to the end zone in a Saskatoon Touch Football League contest against Ocho Stinko on June 30 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Seaman’s Squad prevailed in a clash that was all about offence 40-34.
Special delivery
Saskatoon Berries pitcher Carter Kopp fires a throw to home plate during his team’s WCBL regular season clash against the Brooks Bombers on July 1 at Cairns Field. Kopp, who is an alum of the Saskatoon Giants 18U AAA team, keeps opposing batters off balance throwing a fastball, sinker, curveball and changeup. On this day, Kopp threw two innings coming out of the bullpen as the Berries fell 7-5.
Flip for an out
Saskatoon Berries shortstop Brock Laird flips a ball to second baseman Gael Salinas for an out during WCBL regular season contest against the Brooks Bombers on July 1 at Cairns Field. While the Berries made good defensive plays in the field, the Bombers prevailed on this night 7-5.
A five for Barry
A youngster gives a five to Saskatoon Berries mascot Barry the Bear on July 1 at Cairns Field. Following the Berries WCBL contest on that day, the young fans continued a team tradition by running the bases post-game, and Barry met the fans at home plate.
Here comes the heat
A Saskatoon Raiders Rebels pitcher sets to unload a toss in the Softball Saskatchewan U11 A North Girls Provincial Championship tournament title game on July 5 at Glenn Reeve Field #3. In an all-time classic, the Raiders Rebels edged the Saskatoon Phantoms 2-1.
Got it
A Saskatoon Selects McDonald infielder playing first base makes a stretch backward catch for an out in the title game of the Softball Saskatchewan U17 A Girls Provincial Championship tournament on July 5 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The Selects McDonald outgunned the Regina Saints 12-11.
Fun in the stands
Members of a Twin City Angels team share some laughs while watching the title game of the Softball Saskatchewan U17 A Girls Provincial Championship tournament on July 5 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. Even if you are not playing, it is always better to see Softball Saskatchewan’s provincial championship tournaments from the stands. Eventually, the smiles will come out.
Jack brings the power
Saskatoon Jacks infielder Brant Wiebe drives a shot over the fence at Joe Gallagher Field for a home run in a Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association contest on July 7. Wiebe’s drive allowed the Jacks to down the Delisle Pride U23 squad 11-1.
