Roughriders’ Picton enjoys helping the kids in Saskatoon

Receiver still remembered for time with Rams

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Mitchell Picton gives a play call to a group of players.

Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Mitchell Picton chuckles for being known as the University of Regina Rams player that comes to Saskatoon to coach the kids.

Since 2022, Picton has made way up to Saskatoon from Regina to be a guest coach for Saskatoon Minor Football’s Playground To Pros camp. The Playground To Pros camp is the annual Easter time camp that helps with developing skills and fundamentals in players at the grassroots level.

Picton was back at this year’s camp that ran April 22 to 24 at the Indoor Training Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. While he has been a member of the Roughriders since 2017, Picton is amazed about how many locals remember he played five seasons for the University of Regina Rams from 2013 to 2017.

After the Rams were eliminated from the Canada West playoffs on November 4, 2017, Picton signed with the Roughriders on November 15, 2017 and has been with the CFL franchise continually from that time. Picton, who will turn 30-years-old on May 29, still gets into friendly jab sessions regarding the Rams rivalry in U Sports with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies every time he visits Saskatoon.

“It is definitely still alive,” said Picton, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 197 pounds. “I always make sure to pack a little bit of Rams gear when I come up to Saskatoon.

“I’m certainly still a Rams fan. I still have a little bit of distaste for the Huskies. They’ve got a few decent guys over there that I’ve become friends with over the years.”

Picton is part of a sizable group of CFL players who help with the Playground To Pros camp including Huskies alums in Riley Pickett and Nathan Cherry, who both play for the British Columbia Lions, and Josh Hagerty, who suits up for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Pickett, who also an alum of the CJFL’s storied Saskatoon Hilltops, is the Lions long snapper and fullback, and Cherry toils on the defensive line. Hagerty is a defensive back with the Blue Bombers.

Mitchell Picton sizes up a play call during a scrimmage.

While Picton enjoys getting to know and working with players on various other CFL teams, his biggest joy comes from working with the kids at Playground To Pros.

“It is always fun,” said Picton. “Being from Saskatchewan, a kid that grew up playing Regina minor football and that sort of thing and came through the Team Sask ranks, it is always good to come out and give back, because that little kid was me a bunch of years back.

“It always feels good to come out and be involved in the minor football community.”

The players who take part in the Playground To Pros camp get to try every position in the game of football. Picton said he tries to pass on simple lessons to the players he works with.

“You try to teach them the basics,” said Picton. “You see each kid for a very short amount of time.

“You try and give them one or two things to maybe work on and help their craft a little bit. You are not going to change them overnight or develop a player overnight. You try and give them the tools to take back to their teams for their football season to work on that is going to help their game progress.”

Growing up in Regina, Picton said he didn’t remember going to a camp that was exactly similar to Playground To Pros, but he did attend some development camps. He believes the Playground To Pros camps allows players to get a taste of every part of the game. Picton added he took part in a variety of sports growing up in Regina, and it is good to enjoy numerous sports.

Mitchell Picton, centre, hands a football to a player.

“There were always camps and stuff that we went to throughout the spring and summer,” said Picton. “I played a lot of sports growing up.

“Football season started for me when RMF (Regina Minor Football) started. I was playing hockey through the winter. Then into the spring, I played lacrosse.

“In the fall, it was time to play football. I was kind of playing different sports at different times. I’d pick up my football helmet again when football season rolled around.”

Picton also enjoys being on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. He likes working out at Ignite Athletics and thinks the Indoor Training Centre is a perfect spot to hold minor football camps in.

“Ignite (Athletics) is great for us,” said Picton. “They treat us extremely well, so we always like coming up there and getting some work in.

“Just the facility, the turf and everything that they have here is kind of in one spot. It makes it easy for us to train and coach the kids and do all that kind of just under one roof. It makes it pretty good.”

He adds he is always impressed with how many of the guest coaches from the CFL ranks are Saskatchewan products.

“I think it speaks to the talent that we have in Saskatchewan,” said Picton. “There are a lot of guys playing football professionally now that are from Saskatchewan or played at the U of R or U of S and that sort of thing.

“It is great to get up here with them a little bit. We’ve trained together. It is always good to see guys like that and get a little work in.”

Mitchell Picton gives feedback to a group of players.

Of course, Picton said it is special when the young players recognize him for being a member of the Roughriders. 

He talks frequently about those encounters with Saskatoon product and Roughriders long snapper Jorgen Hus, who is an alum of the Rams and the Hilltops.

“For us, we almost not downplay it, but it has become pretty normalized for us,” said Picton. “That is our occupation.

“That is what we do is we play football. We try to not make it as big a deal between us. Then, it is cool when you see the kids, and they’re super excited.

“Then, you kind of do have that different perspective of what we do is important in the community, and people care a lot about it.”

Following the conclusion of the Playground To Pros camp, Picton returned home to Regina for a short stay before returning to Saskatoon. Roughriders rookie camp ran from May 7 to 9 at Griffiths Stadium. Main camp was set to begin on May 11 at Griffiths with the team returning to Regina on May 25.

Picton is looking forward to the upcoming CFL campaign.

Mitchell Picton shares a laugh with some fans on May 18, 2024.

“You’re excited for training camp to get going,” said Picton. “You’re excited to get into the season.

“You are not quite as excited for three weeks of living in dorms in Saskatoon, but that is all part of training camp and what we go through in our jobs. I am excited to get the season going and get up here and get to work.”

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

Photo roundup centre stage taken by Canada Games tryout session

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

A pitcher gets in the wind up for a pitch at a Canada Game tryout.

The field turf field at the Indoor Training Centre can be used for game or simulated game situations for both younger and older age groups.

The field that measures 90 yards by 50 yards has hosted game action for younger age groups in various sports. 

Most notably just months after opening in 2019, the Saskatoon Minor Softball League held its under-12 and under-14 city championships there when heavy rainy weather conditions made outdoor diamonds unplayable. 

Teams were able to take part in games using complete diamonds set to the dimensions for their respective age groups.

Older age groups are able to hold simulated games and scrimmages there too in order to get training and evaluations done.

A hitter drives a ball into the outfield at a Canada Game tryout.

On April 27, Softball Saskatchewan used the Indoor Training Centre to hold scrimmage game situations for the final tryout session for its Canada Summer Games Men’s Team in the U20 age group.

The diamond was positioned in a way to allow for a full infield and only parts of right field and left field were cut off.

Our lead picture for this photo roundup shows a pitcher in a wind up unloading a pitch to home plate. The second picture of this photo roundup shows a hitter smoking a hit into the outfield. The third picture shows a runner heading towards third base while paying attention to what is happening in the infield.

A runner runs the base path while being alert at a Canada Games tryout.

Along with the pictures from the final tryout session for Softball Saskatchewan men’s team that will play in the Canada Games, this photo roundup includes other scenes from baseball, cricket, football, softball and track and field. 

The images come from various facilities including the Indoor Training Centre, Cairns Field, Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Glenn Reeve Fields and the Track and Field Track.

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 15 shots we hope you enjoy.

Valkyries back in action

The Saskatoon Valkyries, who have won the last four straight WWCFL titles, do a post-practice cheer on April 15 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Valkyries begin their regular season schedule on Saturday, May 10 when they host their provincial rivals the Regina Riot at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Saskatoon will also host the Manitoba Fearless on Sunday, June 8 at 1 p.m. at SMF Field.

Smart shot

A member of the Sixers cricket team drives a low throw into what would be an open part of the field during a practice session in a pitching lane on April 19 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Sixers and the rest of the Saskatoon and area cricket teams are enjoying the start to the outdoor season.

Passing on pointers

A coach from the Saskatoon Royals female baseball program, left, demonstrates a stance and other aspects of hitting to a young player on April 20 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Royals have been holding training sessions on Sundays during the off-season for a number of years at the Complex.

Playground battle

A running back tries to escape the grasp of a tackler during a session at the Playground To Pros camp run by Saskatoon Minor Football on April 22 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Easter time camp helps develop skills and fundamentals at the grassroots level.

Coach Mace is in the house

The second day of the Playground To Pros camp held by Saskatoon Minor Football at our Indoor Training Centre on April 23 finished with a sweet bonus for the players. Corey Mace, who is the Saskatchewan Roughriders Head coach and Defensive Coordinator, stopped in to give words of encouragement to the athletes.

Thank you photo for coaches

Following the third and final day of Saskatoon Minor Football’s Playground To Pros Camp at the Indoor Training Centre on April 24, the coaches posed for a group photo. A lot of familiar faces from the local football community helped out with this camp. The photo gives a thank you to the field bosses for offering their time to work this camp.

Big turnout for Playground To Pros

Everyone who was involved with the Playground To Pros camp held by Saskatoon Minor Football at the Indoor Training Centre posed for a group picture after the event’s final session on April 24. Memories were made that will last a lifetime.

Sweet hands

A receiver makes a big catch in traffic during Rush High School Female Flag Football League action on April 28 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Rush league has been a big vehicle for getting and keeping female players in the sport of football.

Running to find daylight

A receiver bolts downfield after making a catch during an evaluation session on May 1 at Saskatoon Minor Football field for the North Sask Academy program run by Saskatoon Minor Football. Following these evaluation sessions, Saskatoon Minor Football places players on six different teams via a draft for a schedule of spring season contests.

Track and Field Track returns to action

Kira Comfort, who is a member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Track and Field Team, slings a javelin down the infield of the Track and Field Track during a training session on May 1. That was the first day the Track and Field Track was open for the 2025 season.

Here comes the heat

A Saskatoon Selects pitcher fires a pitch to home plate during game action on May 2 at Glenn Reeve Field #4 on May 2. Excitement was in the air as softball teams got outside for game action at the beginning stages of their respective 2025 campaigns.

Tracking the ball in

A Saskatoon Hustlers player follows the ball into her glove for an out during game action on May 2 at Glenn Reeve Field #7. After putting in time to get stronger and faster during workouts and practicing to sharpen up skills in the off-season, players enjoy getting to show off the results of the work they put in when the 2025 spring and summer season begins.

Pressure throw

A quarterback in the Rush High School Female Flag Football League fires a pass downfield under pressure on May 6 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The quality of play in the Rush league keeps getting better year after year.

Special Delivery

A Saskatoon Giants pitcher delivers a throw to home during under-18 AAA contest in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League on May 7 at Cairns Field. The Giants went on a magical run last season to win the provincial title.

Happy early Mother’s Day

A happy early Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. We hope you enjoy the above poem.

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.

Roughriders’ Johnson enjoys giving back to game of football

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Evan Johnson, left, helps coach at Playground To Pros.

Evan Johnson will always have his calendar open for Playground To Pros and tries to make room in his busy life to give back to the sport of football as much as he can.

Johnson is best known for suiting up as a right guard on the offensive line of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. In Saskatoon, he is remembered for taking the field from 2012 to 2016 to play in the trenches on offence for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team in the U Sports ranks.

During the off-season, Johnson makes his home in Saskatoon with his wife Dallis and son Maverick. He trains for the upcoming CFL campaign at Ignite Athletics at the Indoor Training Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. Having obtained an engineering degree at the U of S, Johnson also works with Pinter & Associates Limited, which is a Saskatoon based company that provides a wide range of engineering services.

Along with training on the football front, Johnson plans to always have his calendar open to help coach with Saskatoon Minor Football’s annual Playground To Pros camp that is usually held in April. The Playground To Pros camp helps develop skills and fundamentals for young football players at the grassroots level. This year’s Playground To Pros camp ran from April 11 to 13 at the Indoor Training Centre.

“It is awesome,” said Johnson, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 290 pounds. “I love coaching.

“The kids are awesome. This is my second year with Playground To Pros. I had it circled on the calendar for a long time.

“I was just waiting to get back out here. I just have such a good time with all the kids. It is a good time.”

Johnson said his experiences at the Playground To Pros camp have been rewarding.

“I like teaching them new skills,” said Johnson. “I like having those lightbulb moments where they kind of get it.

“Football is obviously a difficult sport. It has lots of adversity and lots of physicality to it. Some kids really get it.

Evan Johnson, second from left, gets a chuckle while overseeing a drill.

“Some kids learn it along the way, and it is just kind of fun to be part of their journey.”

On top of helping out with Playground To Pros, Evan and Dallis, who is originally from Canwood, Sask., donated to the Saskatoon Valkyries of the Western Women’s Canadian Football League last year to cover the fees for one player. They donated to the Huskies last year too and plan to donate to both the Valkyries and Huskies again this year.

Dallis played defensive back for the Valkyries from 2016 to 2020 and helped them win WWCFL titles in 2016 and 2019. Evan helped out as an assistant coach with the team during that time. Dallis also served as a Valkyries board member in 2020 and 2021.

Evan would like to help out a little more on the coaching front, but he is doing as much as his hectic life will allow at the moment. He also enjoys taking part in the Rider Reading Program that the Roughriders run through the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation.

“The Roughriders do have a program called Rider Reading, where players are able to go to different schools and different communities,” said Johnson. “I was able to spend a week going around Saskatchewan visiting different schools, reading to the young kids and kind of teaching them the importance of literacy and kind of the joy that myself and others get out of reading.”

One of Johnson’s great joys has been the fact he has played for the Roughriders the past two seasons. He broke into the league in 2017 with the Ottawa Redblacks, who selected Johnson in the first round and ninth overall in that year’s CFL Draft.

Johnson began starting with the Redblacks as a rookie and helped them make the Grey Cup game in 2018, where they dropped a 27-16 decision to the Calgary Stampeders. In February of 2021, Johnson signed with the Roughriders as a free agent and later agreed to an extension with the team in December of that same year after the club fell 21-17 in the West final to the eventual Grey Cup champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Evan Johnson enjoys coaching the next generation of players.

“You know what they say there is no place like home,” said Johnson, who parents Marlon and Laurie reside in Regina. “I love being back in Saskatchewan.

“I was born and raised here. I plan to grow my family here. Saskatchewan has always and will always have a special place in my heart especially being a Roughrider and being able to do these things and give back to the community and just be around it.

“I still have family down in Regina too. I’m Saskatchewan through and through, and this is exactly where I want to be.”

During the off-season, Johnson said it has been a huge help to be able to train at Ignite and work with the coaches there to prepare for the upcoming CFL campaign.

“I love Ignite,” said Johnson. “I love the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.

“This indoor facility has been awesome for us as well. It really gives us a chance to elevate our training. We have guys from all across the league from all over the place, we come here.

“We train together. We compete with each other. We make each other better, and I can’t think of a better facility to facilitate that.”

Johnson and the Roughriders will be on the Complex’s grounds on Saturday, May 20 as the Roughriders hold their annual Green and White Day at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Roughriders President and CEO Craig Reynolds, Vice-President, General Manager Jeremy O’Day and Head Coach Craig Dickenson will give the Roughriders State of the Nation address and host a fan question and answer session at 1 p.m.

The Green and White game follows at 3 p.m. The afternoon will be great for families as there will be many kids’ activities include face painting, music, inflatables, performances by the 620 CKRM Pep Band, the 620 CKRM Rider Cheer Team and Gainer the Gopher. Following the Green and White game, fans are invited to line the fences for a player autograph session.

The Roughriders will hold rookie camp from May 10 to 12 at Griffiths Stadium at the U of S and open main training camp at that same location on May 14.

Evan Johnson, second from left, hangs out with a group of coaches.

While the Roughriders missed the CFL post-season in 2022, Johnson believes the upcoming 2023 campaign will be a great one for the team. Johnson will once again be blocking for veteran quarterback Trevor Harris. The two were teammates with the Redblacks in 2017 and 2018.

“It is optimistic,” said Johnson, who will turn 29-years-old on August 21. “It always has to be at this time.

“We’re starting up some meetings, and getting some things going. We’re getting the playbook figured out and distributed. We’re just chomping at the bit to get going here now.

“The countdown is on, and we can’t wait to start up camp in Saskatoon here.”

Spring season happenings finally hit high speed

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Haley Girolami makes a catch for the Valkyries on May 7.

When spring arrived, it arrived quickly, and the outdoor facilities sprung into action on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

For the longest time, it seemed like winter was content to just hang around. As of April 20, most of the outdoor facilities at the Complex were under the cover of snow. Around that time, football groups were getting practices and training sessions done in snowy conditions at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

With the snow development, baseball and softball teams along with some football groups continue to train and hold modified scrimmages in the friendly confines of the Indoor Training Centre waiting for the weather to warm up.

At the start of the final week of April, spring conditions finally took hold. Football groups were able to use Saskatoon Minor Football Field in dry conditions. The mix in weather created the opportunity to put together a variety of indoor and outdoor pictures for our photo roundup.

Our lead photo comes from the Saskatoon Valkyries WWCFL regular season opener on May 7 with a catch from star receiver Haley Girolami. Girolami hauled in nine passes for 111 yards and scored one touchdown in a 34-7 win over the Regina Riot.

The first part of our photo roundup features scenes from Saskatoon Minor Football’s annual Playground To Pros camp held at the Indoor Training Centre just before the midway part of April. Players of all skill levels had a huge amount of fun developing skills and fundamentals.

The photo roundup goes from there all the way to seeing the first action on the softball diamonds with a Saskatoon Selects under-19 team practice on May 1. Softball league action got going about a couple of days later.

Saskatoon Minor Football’s North Sask Academy started with league action, and SMF oversaw league action with the Rush High School Female Flag Football.

These photos 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 13 shots we hope you enjoy.

Break on through

A young running back gets out of a tackling attempt while staying in bounds during a gauntlet drill at the Playground To Pros camp held on April 11 at the Indoor Training Centre. The young players at this camp run by Saskatoon Minor Football improved their skills quiet quickly.

Bullet pass

A quarterback at the Playground To Pros camp fires a pass to a receiver on a crossing route on April 12 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Indoor Training Centre allows for a variety of drills to take place at once, which is big for a camps like Playground To Pros, which develops skills.

Deep ball snag

A receiver shows textbook technique in hauling in a deep pass on the final day of the Playground To Pros camp on April 13 at the Indoor Training Centre. Players look forward to the final day of the camp as they get to show what they learned in a series of scrimmage games.

Coaching up the kids

Riley Pickett, who is a defensive lineman for the British Columbia Lions, gives a group of players instructions before calling a defensive play during a scrimmage on the final day of the Playground To Pros camp held on April 13 at the Indoor Training Centre. A number of players from around the CFL helped with the camp. Pickett is also an alum of the CJFL’s Saskatoon Hilltops and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team in the U Sports ranks.

Off to the races

A Saskatoon Phantoms base runner takes off on the base paths during a scrimmage between two Phantoms squads on April 22 at the Indoor Training Centre. As a snowfall earlier in the week delayed outdoor practices, teams like the Phantoms enjoy being able to use the Indoor Training Centre to get work in.

In for the flag football sack

A defender from Bishop James Mahoney High School get the flag of a quarterback for a sack in a Rush High School Female Flag Football game on April 24 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The players from the Rush league jumped into the season with lots of energy and enthusiasm.

Looking the ball in

A receiver tracks the ball into his hands at a Saskatoon Minor Football North Sask Academy practice on April 24 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The North Sask Academy program showcases some of the best players in Grades 8 to 12 from Saskatoon and area.

High point interception

Saskatoon Valkyries linebacker Emmarae Dale makes an interception during a drill at a team practice on April 27 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The defending WWCFL champion Valkyries are known for getting maximum results at their practice sessions.

Outdoor practice at last

An infielder makes a catch at third base during an infield fielding drill at a Saskatoon Selects Under-19 team practice on May 1 at Glenn Reeve Field #4. The Selects practice was one of the first outdoor sessions to take place on any of our softball and baseball diamonds this year.

Night time special at Bob Van Impe Stadium

It doesn’t matter the night of the week. For the softball/fastpitch community, it is always a joy to play under the lights at Bob Van Impe Stadium. In this game from May 4, a Dry Creek Penguins pitcher sends an off-speed pitch to the plate to keep a batter off balance. The Penguins beat the Saskatoon Padres 9-2 in this encounter.

Cool under pressure

A quarterback fires a pass downfield while under pressure from a defensive lineman during league action for Saskatoon Minor Football’s North Sask Academy on May 5 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Players in the academy league are drafted to teams, so you will often see players from the same school teams going head-to-head.

Eyolfson delivers again for Valkyries

Star quarterback Alex Eyolfson had another big game for the Saskatoon Valkyries in their WWCFL regular season opener on May 7 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Eyolfson completed 23-of-36 passes for 275 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 34-7 victory over the Regina Riot.

Gang tackle Valkyries style

A number of players from the Saskatoon Valkyries defence gangs up to tackle of Regina Riot running back Bethany O’Toole on May 7 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Valkyries defence held the Riot to 96 yards of net offense in a 34-7 win to open the regular season for both clubs.