By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| Danielle Girolami sets to unload a pass for Flagging Rights. |
Born in
2012, the Saskatoon AFFL has been a mainstay on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex
grounds playing games at Saskatoon Minor Football Field from its start to
indoor action at the Indoor Training Centre since it officially opened on March
1, 2019. On the women’s side, the league features lots of players that are
either current members or alums of the powerhouse Saskatoon Valkyries WWCFL
squad, and it is now seeing youngsters come up from Saskatoon Minor Football’s
female flag programs.
The men’s
side of Saskatoon AFFL features numerous players who are graduates of the
historic Saskatoon Hilltops of the CJFL and of the University of Saskatchewan
Huskies Football Team, who are a legacy squad in U Sports.
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| Tom Schnitzler snags a contested catch for Columbian Gold. |
The lead
photo of our photo roundup sees Valkyries veteran Danielle Girolami all set to
fire a pass downfield in a game for Flagging Rights on January 28 at the Indoor
Training Centre. While known as a star defensive back for the Valkyries,
Girolami enjoys throwing passes for a flag side loaded with players that have
ties to the defending WWCFL champions.
The second
picture sees Tom Schnitzler hauling in a contested catch as a receiver for
Columbian Gold on February 4 at the Indoor Training Centre. Schnitzler is
currently the head coach of the Holy Cross High School Crusaders, who are the
defending Saskatchewan 6A provincial champions. As a defensive lineman, he won
four CJFL titles with the Hilltops, suited up for the University of British
Columbia Thunderbirds and played in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and
Calgary Stampeders.
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| Keira Maffin is playing her first year with U of Saskatchewan White. |
Maffin is in her first year at U of S after graduating from Centennial
Collegiate last June.
Along with the pictures from Saskatoon AFFL, this photo
roundup has images from baseball, football, softball and speed skating.
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.
Incoming
A hitter from the 222’s Fastpitch program drives a ball off a tee into the net during a training session on January 14 at the Indoor Training Centre. These pictures when taken from behind the net can surely make someone blink or jump backwards.
Take off
A trio of young Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club skaters take off down the front straightaway of the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on January 14. The Lions were doing sprint work, and this was an image from a 50-metre race.
All about the skill
A pitcher from the JQFP Softball program unloads a throw during a training session in the pitching tunnels at the Indoor Training Centre on January 17. The hurlers were putting a lot of concentration into perfecting the mechanics of various pitches.
Going the distance
The skaters from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club were out doing endurance work on the morning of January 17 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. Some of the skaters did a total of 30 laps to strengthen the aerobic energy system.
Warmup flow
A young player lets go of a throw during a warmup for a Going Yard Baseball Academy training session on January 21 at the Indoor Training Centre. Going Yard is good at having their players built towards performing the skills of the game of baseball at full speed.
Lift off
A young batter drives a hit off a tee during a Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy training session on January 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. The players were working on driving the ball into the outfield during this drill.
Nice snag
A player from the Saskatoon Lasers softball program catches a fly ball that was taking a drop during an outfielding drill on January 28 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Lasers were putting a mix of players from their various age groups through drills that were set up in three stations.
Smarts on the base paths
A baserunner was staying locked in to what was happening at home plate during a simulated game at a Saskatoon Selects training session on January 28 at the Indoor Training Centre. The simulated game was part of the Selects continuing evaluations for this upcoming spring and summer season.
Freeze
A trio of players from the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team all come to a power stop during a conditioning workout on January 29 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Huskies football squad, who are the defending Canada West champions, have been a day one user of the Indoor Training Centre for off-season work.
Shuffle and run
Veteran defensive back Ethan Laing does a number of side shuffle steps before breaking into a short sprint during a University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team conditioning workout on January 29 at the Indoor Training Centre. These conditioning workouts have drills that help the Huskies get used to the various stops and starts in football.
Berries Academy love for Grey Cup
The Grey Cup paid a visit to a Saskatoon Berries Training Academy session on February 3 at the Indoor Training Centre. A couple of Berries players showed their appreciation for the CFL’s biggest prize that was won this past November by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Grey Cup at home at the Complex
The Grey Cup looked right at home for a couple of days at the Indoor Training Centre. The CFL’s biggest prize that was won this past November by the Saskatchewan Roughriders is shown at a Saskatoon Berries Training Academy session on February 3. One day earlier, the Grey Cup appeared at the Indoor Training Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds for an Institute of Saskatchewan Football session.
Jetting through traffic
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Receiver Jackson Andrews, centre, from Mean Machine (Litzenberger) jets between a pair of defenders from Seaman Squad during Saskatoon Adult Flag Football League action on February 4 at the Indoor Training Centre. Offensive players aim to show great elusiveness in the flag game.
Escape artist
Quarterback Max Major of the 7th Floor Crew eludes a pass rusher from Touchdown There during Saskatoon Adult Flag Football League action on February 4 at the Indoor Training Centre. Major is best known for his exploits in softball suiting up for Softball Canada’s national program on a number of occasions. He can also make plays in the flag game like Patrick Mahomes in the NFL.
Winter beauty at Cairns
A winter look at Cairns Field from February 7. These photos are keepers for the archives. In partnership with the Saskatoon Berries and the Sask Entertainment Group, 352 new seats as part of new stadium seating sections will be installed starting early spring and will be ready for the Berries opening day on May 30.
