Valkyries 11th WWCFL title win highlights photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

The Valkyries celebrate winning the WWCFL title on June 27.

WWCFL championship wins for the Saskatoon Valkyries are always special, but it is a bonus when they can occur at home.

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.

Emmarae Dale makes a tackle for the Valkyries.

While the Valkyries have piled up 11 WWCFL title wins, the majority of those triumphs have come away from “The Bridge City.” Since making the Gordie Howe Sports Complex their regular home stomping grounds in 2015, the Valkyries have only won the WWCFL title twice at SMF Field including 2022 and the most recent triumph on June 27.

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.

Drew Lundquist ran for 126 yards in the WWCFL title game.

The third photo shows veteran star Valkyries running back Drew Lundquist running the ball. Lundquist was named the Valkyries game MVP having run the ball 22 times for 126 yards. The Valkyries as a team piled up 277 yards rushing.

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.

Duchene lives family dream playing for WWCFL’s Valkyries

Sure-handed receiver in second season with storied squad

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Jada Duchene (#3) jets downfield after making a catch.

Jada Duchene is living her dream and her family’s dream when she suits up and catches passes for the Saskatoon Valkyries.

Jada is the eldest daughter of the WWCFL’s team’s general manager, Michelle, who has served in that role for the club since its inception in 2011. Jada and her younger sister, Halle, grew up with the Valkyries in their lives and had a unique understanding of the storied squad due to their mom’s role with the team.

Football has a deep history in the Duchene family as Jada’s father, Eric, played in the CJFL with the Kelowna, B.C., based Okanagan Sun in the 1990s before suiting up for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team for five seasons from 1999 to 2003. Playing football was never pushed on either Jada or Halle, and Michelle and Eric supported them in any sports they chose to play or any activities they wanted to participate in.

Jada, who is 20-years-old and completed her second year of studies at the University of Saskatchewan, is happy the current day is here where she is playing with the Valkyries. As a rookie last year, she made some key contributions helping the Valkyries win their 10^th WWCFL title.

“I knew that I always wanted to play one day,” said Jada. “I was a very high-level volleyball player growing up and basketball, but pretty much volleyball by the time I hit Grade 12.

“I decided that I didn’t want to move away anywhere, so I thought that why not play football. I played flag my whole life. I knew that I loved it, so I thought I’ll give tackle a try.

“I never got the chance to try it in high school, so I gave it a try last year, and now, here I am.”

Jada was five-year-old when the Valkyries played their first season back in 2011. She has lots of memories of the Valkyries playing in their early years. Some of her favourite players included her aunt and defensive back Carisa Polischuk, quarterback Candace Bloomquist, running back Julie Paetsch, defensive back Darla Lee-Walde and receiver Marci (Kiselyk) Halseth.

Lee-Walde was once one of Jada’s coaches in flag football. Halseth is the Valkyries offensive coordinator in the current day.

Jada looks back fondly at being around the Valkyries in their formative years when she was little.

Jada Duchene, right, secures the ball after a catch in traffic.

“I just remember even like the first camps being indoors and like at random times of the year,” said Jada, who is also a member of the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Flag Football Team. “I was always running around following my mom hanging up the jerseys in the locker room for the team.

“I was so excited to be there watching all the games. It started at Griffiths (Stadium). It was pretty cool watching it all come together, and I remember when my mom was trying to figure out a name and everything.

“It is pretty cool to be able to say I’m on the team now.”

When Jada was approaching her graduation from Holy Cross High School in June of 2024, Michelle knew her eldest daughter had options to pursue sports playing opportunities. Michelle admitted she was unsure what choice Jada would make.

“I didn’t know,” said Michelle. “She definitely had opportunities to go play university and college ball, whether it was volleyball or basketball.

“It was a big decision for her to make, and then she decided to commit to football and the flag and tackle. We were pretty excited. I was nervous though just like any other parent.

“It feels a little bit different when your kid is on the field. I was super excited for her to really delve into the football world and see all the benefits of it, all the people you meet, and the friends that you make and learning the sport at a new level.”

After Jada started playing for the Valkyries last season, it was an emotional and meaningful moment for Michelle.

“It was super exciting, and it was always kind of a dream of mine,” said Michelle. “I’ve always said we do it for all the girls, but obviously, it was important to me that my girls had an opportunity to do this, if that is what they wanted to try to do.

“Hopefully one day, Halle is going to be done her hockey career, and she’ll come back and try playing as well. That is what she wants to do. It is definitely a goal for her as well.”

Jada Duchene makes a catch at a Valkyries practice on January 26, 2025.

Michelle admitted it might be a while before Halle plays for the Valkyries. She is a star forward with the Saskatoon Stars Female Under-18 AAA Hockey Team and is slated to graduate from Holy Cross this coming June.

Halle has committed to play for the Mercyhurst University Lakers Women’s Hockey Team in the NCAA Division I ranks in the fall in Erie, Pennsylvania. After her time in the NCAA is completed, Halle would like to play in the PWHL.

With that noted, Michelle has lots of warm memories of Jada and Halle being around the Valkyries when they were kids.

“Like honestly, I put both the girls to work,” said Michelle. “They loved coming to practices and games too.

“I used to set up the locker room. They would come, and they would help me set it up, put the jerseys up and the pants out. I have this cute picture actually of Jada.

“She was like, I don’t know, six years old, and she is carrying like six helmets walking into the soccer centre. They loved to come and help and be a part of it, and they looked up to all the girls.”

Last season, a number of veteran receivers elected to move in different directions in their lives and not return to the Valkyries. As a result, Jada found herself in a starting role.

“It was honestly crazy,” said Jada. “I never expected to be a starting player, but there were only six of us (at receiver) when we started the season.

“I got thrown in. I started as a slot and got moved around a little bit, but pretty much stayed at slot. It was pretty cool to have the team trust me enough to get put in right away.”

Jada also just completed her season playing for the U of S flag team at Football Canada’s Canadian Collegiate Flag Football Championship that ran May 1 to 3 in Regina. As a result, Jada finds herself on the football field lots training for both teams in April.

“It can be pretty tough,” said Jada. “We have practice twice a week, lift once a week for flag and then practice twice a week for Valks.

Jada Duchene (#3) makes a catch and run in the rain.

“It gets pretty busy, but it is all pretty spread out. (Valkyries star middle linebacker) Emmarae (Dale) is our flag coach, so she knows to not keep us too busy. It is pretty good.”

When it comes to playing for the Valkyries, Jada said it was special that the rest of the players on the team accepted her right away.

“They’re so awesome,” said Jada. “They were so inviting to me last year.

“I didn’t know if it was just because they all knew my mom. Seeing how they treat everyone else, it is just an amazing environment. I just love being around them.

“Coming to see them every day, they’re some of my best friends.”

Jada has had a strong start to her second season with the Valkyries. In their regular season opener on April 26 against the host Riot at Leibel Field in Regina, Jada caught a game high eight passes including a 13-yard touchdown reception to power the Valkyries to a 15-7 victory.

The Valkyries open their home schedule hosting the Winnipeg based Manitoba Fearless on Sunday, May 17 at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. They will once again face the Riot on Sunday, May 24 at 1 p.m. at SMF Field.

Still, Jada’s biggest joy has been the fact she has been able to be a Valkyries player while Michelle is still the team’s general manager. They got to share a forever moment as player and general manager along with being daughter and mother on June 28, 2025, when the Valkyries blanked the host Edmonton Arctic Pride 28-0 in the WWCFL title contest at Commonwealth Stadium.

“It is pretty special,” said Jada. “I love being able to come to practice and games and have my mom right there on the sideline.

“I always hoped for this, and I’m glad it came sooner rather than later, so she could still be here on the sideline with me. It is amazing.”

It has also been a lifetime highlight for Michelle as well to still be the Valkyries general manager and see Jada join the team as a player.

“It is super cool,” said Michelle. “We can go home and talk football.

“Even watching football, when you’re not immersed in it, you don’t watch it the same. Being able to watch and talk about the game with her as a family, it is super special. Sometimes, it can be challenging.

Michelle, left, and Jada Duchene after the 2025 WWCFL title win.

“When there are issues that come up, I have to be very cautious and make sure that she doesn’t become involved in those things in that perspective. For the most part, it is super fun, and it is exciting. We can see each other more often, and I get to be a fan from the sideline.”

For more information on the Saskatoon Valkyries, feel free to check their website saskatoonvalkyries.com. Photo of Michelle and Jada Duchene with the WWCFL championship trophy courtesy Jada Duchene.

A Saskatoon football lifer

Game took Yausie from Nutana to CFL to Football Sask

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Jeff Yausie points out instructions on the Hilltops sideline on Aug. 24.

There was a time the current CEO of Football Saskatchewan and defensive coordinator of the Saskatoon Hilltops was not on the road to having a football life.

Way back when he was in elementary school, Jeff Yausie decided to give the sport a shot during a tryout camp for the Kinsmen Football League. At the time, he decided to continue with hockey, baseball, fastpitch softball and track and field as he liked those sports better.

It wasn’t until his Grade 9 year in high school that Yausie really started to be attracted to the game when he was attending Nutana Collegiate. He played for the Nutana Collegiate Blues junior team in Grade 9 and became the starting running back with the Blues senior team in Grade 10. He continued as the starting running back through Grades 11 and 12 on the way to graduating from Nutana in June of 1984.

With Yausie on the senior team, the Blues made it to the 3A provincial final in 1981 and 1983 falling to Regina Luther and Regina Central respectively. Now at age 59, Yausie still reflects on those years fondly and chuckles when today’s high school, junior and university aged players are surprised Nutana once had a team.

“They certainly don’t get it,” said Yausie. “They only see Nutana in the same vision as it is right now.

“It was a real small school when I went in the early 80s, and I had some super good friends. (We had incredible) sports people and incredible teachers at Nutana, so it was a great experience. It is so different in a small school, because you’re friends with everybody.

“It is not as clicky. We all hung out together and partied together and played together, and it didn’t matter if you were academic or if you were hanging out in the smokers’ lounge or whatever. Everybody was a part of the sports teams, and we were all friends.”

For a number of years now, Yausie’s Football Saskatchewan office has been located at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. It is filled with all sorts of mementos from his football life. His position as the CEO of Football Saskatchewan, which governs the sport in the province, takes him all over the province and on various trips across Canada with work in the game.

When the Hilltops CJFL season is going, he can often be found at their evening practices at Ron Atchison Field or on the team’s sidelines during game days including home tilts at Saskatoon Minor Football Field serving as the club’s defensive coordinator. Over the decades, his football journey has been a long and winding one.

Jeff Yausie’s bio in the 1989 CFL Facts, Figures and Records book.

After graduating from high school, Yausie switched positions to defensive back to play four seasons with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team from 1984 to 1987 in what is now known as the U Sports ranks. His rookie season just happened to be the first year that saw Brian Towriss begin his journey as the Huskies legendary head coach. Yausie was joined on the Huskies by his twin brother, James.

In the 1988 CFL Draft, Jeff Yausie was selected in the fifth round and 36^th overall by the Calgary Stampeders. He was listed at standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 195 pounds in the 1989 CFL Facts, Figures and Records book.

After the Stampeders training camp wrapped up in 1988, Yausie elected to suit up for the Hilltops, because his younger brother Paul was still playing on the team. James had departed from the Huskies after graduating from U of S with his commerce degree.

With the rules that existed at the time, Jeff was called back to the Stampeders and would get into three regular season games with the CFL squad. When he didn’t suit up for the Stampeders, he was allowed to fly to wherever the Hilltops schedule took them and play for them on their game days.

Overall, Yausie is amazed by the memories he has collected in the game.

“I just feel so lucky to do something that I’m passionate about,” said Yausie. “My friends in the football community, it has just been so rewarding to work with.

“It is such a unique game in how much we practice and how hard it is. Those are the kind of people I want to be around.”

In 1989, Yausie was cut by the Stampeders. He was then contacted by fellow Saskatoon product Brendan Taman, who was at the time the manager of football operations for the Ottawa Rough Riders.

Jeff Yausie, left, on the sideline with Tom Sargeant.

Yausie proceeded to sign with Ottawa and played two games with the Rough Riders in the 1989 season. He was released by the Rough Riders before the start of the 1990 season and returned home to Saskatoon.

While taking classes at the U of Saskatchewan, Yausie was brought into Football Saskatchewan by a friend to do volunteer work. He was hired to a paid position with Football Saskatchewan in the early to mid 1990s as technical director at first on a part-time basis and was moved to full-time status a short time later.

About 1999, Yausie moved to become the executive director of Saskatchewan Blind Sports. While with Saskatchewan Blind Sports, Yausie was still on Football Saskatchewan’s board of directors.

He moved back to a full-time role with Football Saskatchewan about late 2000, early 2001 as the body’s executive director. The opening came after Bernie Schmidt left Football Saskatchewan due to the fact he wanted to focus full time on his offensive coordinator position with the University of Regina Rams Football Team.

Yausie worked continuously with Football Saskatchewan since that time ultimately becoming the sport body’s CEO.

“I’ve been super fortunate just to be involved in football in this province,” said Yausie. “People are so passionate about football.

“It is 99 per cent good, and there is always one per cent bad in whatever you do. It has just been a terrific experience. We’ve had super supportive people on the board of directors over the years and just very few problems.

“One of the things that I believe in as an organization is empowering your staff and the people around you. We’ve had a terrific staff at Football Sask., and we’ve certainly grown as we’ve grown as an organization. I think we had about 5,000 or 6,000 members in around 2001 with Football Sask., and we’ve grown to around 23,000 or 24,000 now.”

During Yausie’s time with Football Saskatchewan, the organization has grown to the point it has two main offices. The north office located at the Complex covers Saskatoon and the northern part of the province. The south office located at Mosaic Stadium in Regina covers Regina and the southern part of Saskatchewan.

He is also proud of how the female side of the sport has grown during his time with Football Saskatchewan. Yausie once coached a flag team that contained his daughter, Beau, and the team won a national title in 2012.

Jeff Yausie, left, works the Valkyries sideline in May 2016.

Jeff Yausie also helped the Saskatoon Valkyries of the WWCFL get going. He served as the club’s first head coach from 2011 to 2016 working with Valkyries general manager Michelle Duchene, who still holds that same role with the powerhouse squad that has won 10 WWCFL titles.

“Right from the get go, we had great coaching and a really good organization,” said Yausie. “All of a sudden, we had incredible athletes coming to play that had succeeded in other sports and had been very successful.

“They were open to coming and giving football a try.”

When it comes to Football Saskatchewan, Yausie said the organization has one overall main goal.

“In all of it, one of the messages we try to send is we want people to have a positive and fun experience in football,” said Yausie. “That doesn’t matter if it is tackle, it doesn’t matter if it is flag, it doesn’t matter if it is playing catch in the park, it doesn’t matter if it is a “learn to” program, it is just people enjoying the game and loving the game.

“That creates a football fan, and that builds into the next generation and helps us grow.”

In 2002, Yausie rejoined the Hilltops as linebackers coach and held that position when they won CJFL titles in 2002, 2003 and 2007. He became the club’s defensive coordinator in 2010 and 10 more CJFL championships followed with the last coming in 2023. Over those years, Yausie has built an outstanding relationship with legendary Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant.

“(Hilltops head coach) Tom (Sargeant) is an amazing leader, and he is so competitive that he has a knack to solve problems,” said Yausie. “He is a cool personality that attacks problems and doesn’t avoid them.

“I think that serves you so well in football, because if you avoid little mistakes, they turn into big ones. We all bought into that, and that is how we coach. We’re all such good friends that we’re like brothers, us coaches.

“We’re just having a good time. It is stressful when you lose or when you don’t play well, but we just embrace it and embrace the grind.”

When he looks back on his football life, Yausie said one of the things he cherishes the most is friendships and relationships he has made. With the Hilltops, Yausie admitted he never expected he would be one of the team’s coaches still at age 59. He said the great people in all parts of the game are a main reason he has remained in the sport.

Jeff Yausie, centre, cherishes the football life he has created.

“Especially for me, it is not just Hilltops,” said Yausie. “It is Valkyries and women’s football.

“It is the girls with flag football. It is coaching development. It is officials development.

“It is relationships. If you can reach out and we can get away from texting and emailing and we can just talk, we can solve a lot of problems and get along really well, which is kind of what we’ve done in Saskatchewan football.”

Valkyries Winter Camp hits high gear in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Kennedy Mann, right, uses proper form to make a tackle.

For one day, the Saskatoon Valkyries of the present and potentially the future came together.

The storied Western Women’s Canadian Football League team hosted its annual winter camp on January 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. The camp was for any female player who were at least 16-years-old and no former football experience was required.

A large number of Valkyries veterans take part in this camp along with a sizable amount of high school players and players who graduated from high school the previous June. Those who graduated the previous June could potentially join the Valkyries for the upcoming 2025 campaign, while those still in high school gained a valuable introduction to the squad with the hopes of becoming part of the team in the future.

Julia Smith throws a pass for the Valkyries.

Ultimately, over 70 athletes from across the province took part in this camp.

Our lead picture in this photo roundup sees linebacker Kennedy Mann, right, showing off her wrap up form during a tackling drill.

Mann has been a member of the Valkyries last three straight WWCFL championship teams.

The second photo shows young quarterback Julia Smith working on her technique as she throws the ball to a teammate. Smith was in her first season with the team in 2024.

Receiver Jada Duchene is shown in the third photo making a catch after running a pattern. Duchene is looking to play in her first season with the team.

Jada Duchene makes a catch for the Valkyries.

Along with the pictures from the Saskatoon Valkyries Winter Camp, this photo roundup includes other scenes from the Indoor Training Centre and images from the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. Baseball, rugby and softball teams are hitting stride preparing for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. Ultimate disc continues with regular season play and the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club prepare for various meets.

The pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, almost 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.

Contact

A player from the Saskatoon Royals female baseball program nails a grounder during a practice session on January 12 at the Indoor Training Centre. The hitter was taking part in one of four skill building stations the Royals had set up on this day.

Finesse throw

Emma Frisky, who has played for Softball Canada’s Under-18 Women’s National Team, unloads an off-speed pitch to the plate during an individual session in the pitching lanes on January 12. Frisky enjoys putting in extra work at her craft, which makes her one of the country’s top players in her age group.

Slick toss

A player makes a smart toss up the field past a defender during Saskatoon Ultimate Sport-Disc Society action on January 17 at the Indoor Training Centre. The ultimate disc athletes enjoying taking part in competitive action in a very upbeat atmosphere.

They’re off

A group of young skaters from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club jet down the back straightaway at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on January 22. The young skaters of the Lions love it when they get to jet down the track.

Push race fun

The “push race” has become the team and family building activity for the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club. The “push race” involved all members of the club with skaters separated at different intervals along a straightaway. After the first skaters start, they get up to and push the next skater and then the next skater until you are pushing a line of skaters. These races result in all sorts of smiles and laughs even if one line of skaters wipes out. It is a fun part of Lions practices like this one on January 22 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval.

Coach chatter

Head coach Pat Barry address his Saskatoon Valkyries before the morning practice session of their winter camp on January 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. Barry will put the Valkyries players into an upbeat spirit heading into drills for that session.

Group shuffle

Saskatoon Valkyries go through a slide shuffle drill during warmups at their winter camp on January 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Valkyries go through a number of warmup routines before heading on to the main part of a training session.

All about technique

An offensive line group goes through blocking technique repetitions during the Saskatoon Valkyries Winter Camp on January 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Valkyries coaches know that hand technique skills play a big part in getting the job done on the offensive line.

Here comes the “boom”

A couple of members of the Saskatoon Badgers Rugby Club take part in a contact drill during a practice on January 30 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Badgers practice focused on executing the contact aspects of the sports safely and correctly.

Little things matter

Saskatoon Giants head coach Trent Marien, centre, talks to his players following a practice on January 30 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Giants just finished off a session with a big focus working on pitcher pick off moves, and Marien was talking about how little things like getting outs off pick offs will add up in a game.

Locked down on first

A first baseman tracks a ball into his glove during a Going Yard Baseball Academy training session on February 4 at the Indoor Training Centre. This out was recorded during a session that focused on infield defence and base running.

Picture perfect skating night

The skaters from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club went through their repetitions under a scenic sky on February 4 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. This was a time nature presented a special gift.

Making it look easy

An infielder plays a ground ball in textbook fashion during a Saskatoon Phantoms Under-11 squad practice on February 4 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Phantoms coaches were also doing evaluations to make plans for the rest of the off-season and the upcoming spring and summer campaign.

Setting for a throw

An infielder sets his feet to make a throw to first base during a simulated game session put on by the Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy on February 7 at the Indoor Training Centre. The simulated contest made players adjust to the unplanned variables that come up in game situations.

Final preps

Pitcher Garrett Hawkins goes through the mechanics of delivering a pitch on February 7 at the Indoor Training Centre. Hawkins will depart soon for Spring Training with the MLB’s San Diego Padres. He is on the comeback trail after missing all of the 2024 campaign having Tommy John surgery part way through 2023. We wish Hawkins the best of luck on his journey. He was outstanding with helping the young pitchers at the Complex with the Going Yard Baseball Academy.