Murphy humbled to enter Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame

Storied softball coaching path to Hall had start in Lloydminster

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Noreen Murphy, right, is inducted into the SSHF.

Noreen Murphy’s road to the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame started by saying “yes” to a coaching opportunity way back in December of 1984.

In October of that year, Murphy made a work-related move to Lloydminster, which is the small centre that is famous for sitting on the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan. She went there with the reputation of being a standout softball player having been a member of the Saskatoon Harmony Centres team that won the Canadian Senior A title in 1980. That Harmony Centres team played at the World Games in 1981 at Santa Clara, Calif., and fell 2-1 to the United States in the event’s championship game.

When Murphy arrived in Lloydminster, the Blues under-19 women’s team was looking for coaching help. Blues head coach Brian Gislason phoned Murphy in December of 1984 about joining the squad’s coaching staff.

“It is bizarre when you think about it,” said Murphy. “I was up there, and of course, he (Brian Gislason) knew who I was.

“I played with Saskatoon, and we had a rivalry with the Lashburn Bluebirds. Everybody knows you in that area. He just said, ‘Oh my God. We need some help here with the team. We don’t have anybody else stepping forward.’

“He got my number from some of the Lashburn Bluebirds I believe and just gave me a call.”

Murphy said “yes” and the Blues claimed Canadian championships in 1985 and 1986. After the Blues second title win, Murphy relocated back to Saskatoon in 1987 and took up the head coaching role with the Lorne’s Lazers.

At that point, Murphy’s softball coaching career was off and running. It was a career that saw Murphy coach at the national team level for Softball Canada for 14 years on two separate seven-year stints. She first applied to coach with Softball Canada at the urging of Bob Van Impe, who served as the president of the national sports body from 1969 to 1986.

Murphy was part of the senior national women’s team staff when Canada played at the Olympic Games in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States and in 2004 in Athens, Greece. One of the big highlights came in 2003, when Murphy was the head coach of the junior women’s national team that played at that year’s world championships in Nanjing, China. Canada finished fifth in that event after falling 1-0 in a playoff game to the hosts in front of 10,000 boisterous fans.

She also helped develop and mentor other coaches. Murphy chaired Softball Canada’s Long-Term Player Development Committee, which created the Athlete Development Matrix for all stages of player development.

A wall mount for the SSHF class of 2023.

In recent years, Murphy served as the Timbits Coordinator for the Saskatoon Minor Softball League. She is also the coordinator for the Saskatchewan North Central Softball Academy’s Timbits Saturdays program, which operates out of the Indoor Training Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

On September 23 at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina, Murphy was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in the builders’ category. Looking back on her career, Murphy said everything came about because she agreed to be on the coaching staff of the Blues teams that won Canadian championships in 1985 and 1986.

“What if I would have said, ‘No?’” said Murphy. “None of this would have been happening for sure.”

Murphy entered the Hall with six other distinguished individuals. In the athletes’ category, entering the Hall were multisport star Jaime (Cruickshank) Boyer of Saskatoon, hockey player Ryan Getzlaf of Regina, soccer player Joan McEachern of Leroy and hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser from Shaunavon.

Joining Murphy in the Hall in the builders’ category were Lorne Lasuita of Wynyard for his work in multiple sports and Bernadette McIntyre of Bethune for her work in curling.

“The evening was top notch,” said Murphy. “It was a star affair.

“It was really well done. It was just good to see a whole bunch of sports people I hadn’t scene in a few years. It was really nice for that too.

“It was a great class our 2023 induction class. It was a good one. It was good, really good.”

Murphy received a phone call on a Saturday morning in February from Hall Chair Trent Blezy informing her that she would be entering the Hall as a builder as part of the 2023 class. At first, Murphy said she wasn’t going to pick up her phone, because she didn’t recognize the number on the call display.

She then had a feeling that the call might be important. Murphy said it was cool to hear the news that you were going into the Hall.

Noreen Murphy’s display at the SSHF.

“I was surprised actually,” said Murphy.“It is very humbling.

“I’m very proud. I was excited. (I give) just a big huge thanks to be a small part of sport history in the province.”

At the start of her coaching career, Murphy remembers asking Gislason to be patient with her, because she knew nothing about coaching. From that point, she created a whole host of memories in the sport.

The most memorable moment came seeing her junior national team put up a strong fight losing that 1-0 playoff game at the 2003 world championships to the host side in Nanjing, China.

“That was my biggest highlight,” said Murphy. “Going to two Olympic Games was great too, but when you are leading the team (it’s different).

“When you have all the decisions to make at the top end of that and you are traveling in October to an entirely different culture, the drums are playing when you arrive until when you leave basically. I still say we should have won the game, but that is OK. If we would have (won), we would have made history for Canada.

“It would have been the first time playing for a medal in junior ball. It was a great, great couple of weeks there for sure.”

These days Murphy is enjoying helping young children learn the game in the Timbits programs. She said it is rewarding to see the excitement of the really young players when they get a handle on a new skill.

“It certainly is a little bit different than working at the top end that is for sure,” said Murphy. “I’m going into my sixth year of doing this for them.

“I’ve learned a lot there is no doubt about that. The program is in good shape. We’re developing kids a lot better than we did in the past, because there is structure to it.

“We’re orientating our coaches a lot more that are working with the young group, because it is their first time ever coaching with young ones. At the training centre there, we’ve been fortunate enough to have good numbers, and they continue to be pretty good. Those players that come there they all sign up for spring ball in May and June which is great.”

Noreen Murphy, centre, address a Timbits Saturdays group.

Murphy said the important thing in the beginner and younger age groups is to get the players lots of repetitions. She said it is great the players aged nine, 10 and 11 have the option of play fall ball too as well. Murphy said the reps will allow players to get better at the game and ultimately have more fun with it.

“They need lots of reps,” said Murphy.“The more reps they can get the better, and they are learning the right way.

“As I say to the moms and dads all the time, it is about keeping the kids busy, making them sweat a little bit and just having a whole bunch of fun.”

And with that involvement, Murphy will continue her giving back to the softball community for the foreseeable future. She will keep adding to a legacy that was built saying “yes” to a coaching request made almost 40 years ago.

The first three photos in this post are courtesy of Noreen Murphy’s collection. The video comes courtesy the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

Indoor Training Centre fun, exciting football final in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

A Timbits Saturdays group comes together for a big cheer.

Off-season time at the Indoor Training Centre can be tonnes of fun.

All it takes is seeing a session of the Saskatchewan North Central Softball Academy’s Timbits Saturdays program to be reminded of that tidbit. Our lead photo of our photo roundup comes from a Timbits Saturdays session held on December 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. It shows the coaches and players coming together for a cheer following the conclusion of one of those hour-long periods.

These days the Indoor Training Centre is enjoying its peak period as various sporting groups are using it for training sessions like baseball, football, lacrosse, softball and track and field.

Activities from Timbits Saturdays offer up arguably the cutest photos. That program offers softball instruction to children aged three to 11 in one-hour long sessions that are held Saturday mornings at the Indoor Training Centre from October to February.

The young players participate in activities and games that are patterned after informal playground games that promise fun and action. The activities are set up in a way to allow players with high and low skill levels to be involved.

A young players makes a throw at a Timbits Saturdays session.

Players also participate in basic drills that teach the proper forms for throwing, catching and pitching. On the hitting side, players take part in drills that work on proper stance and swinging before proceeding to hit balls off a tee into a net.

Some of those drills are used with older age groups to help reinforce the basics. The second photo of the photo roundup shows a young player taking part of an infield throwing drill at a Timbits Saturdays session on December 2.

On top of those drills, the players will do some activities that are basically playground games along with some short simulated mini games at the end of the session. Ultimately, the main focus of the program is to try and ensure the players have fun and develop a love for the game.

Besides Timbits Saturdays photos, the photos in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds, which include photos from an exciting championship football game and training sessions from various sports. In this photo roundup, the majority 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.

Monster game for Crusader

Receiver Britton Tabler of the Holy Cross High School Crusaders had one of the best games of his career in the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s 6A provincial football championship game held on November 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Tabler caught 11 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown. The Crusaders ultimately lost a 12-10 heartbreaker to Regina’s Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Marauders.

Tough slugging on the ground

Holy Cross High School Crusaders running back Aulain Penner gets corralled by a number of defenders from Regina’s Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Marauders on November 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Crusaders and Marauders were going at it in the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s 6A provincial football championship game. The Marauders would take the contest 12-10.

Marauders celebrate a three-peat

The players from Regina’s Miller Comprehensive Catholic High School Marauders raise the championship trophy in celebration of winning the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association’s 6A provincial football title game on November 11. The win marked the third straight year the Marauders claimed the 6A football crown.

Eyeing up the details

A hitter concentrates on his mechanics during a drill at a Going Yard Training Centre session on November 21 at the Indoor Training Centre. Players use the sessions with the Going Yard Training Centre to work on improving the fine points in their game.

Perfecting infield defence on the bases

An athlete, right, from a JQFP Softball session works on fielding defence on a base inside a batting cage at the Indoor Training Centre on November 22. The JQFP Softball coaches showed off an innovative way here to help players improve infield defensive skills on the bases. JQFP Softball coach Jon Equina, left, oversees this drill.

Family welcome for Iris

The Gordie Howe Sports Complex Management Corporation was pleased to welcome Iris Lapierre as the new Administration Manager to the Gordie Howe Sports Complex family. Iris comes to the Gordie Howe Sports Complex after having spent 29 years with the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools having retired in October. She is pictured here on November 22 working at the front desk of the Indoor Training Centre.

Running to create space

An athlete with the Sentinels Lacrosse Club motors to an open space in the offensive end of the field during a practice session on November 27 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Sentinels are an elite field lacrosse program that runs junior varsity and varsity teams from September through to December.

Tuesday morning camper found

We had a visitor to the overflow campground on the morning of Tuesday, November 28. We believe the visitor jumped the fence as there are no holes in it. We opened the door and the visitor left for a next destination. Johnny Marciniuk, who is our Operations Manager, checked in with the photo of our visitor.

Securing out at first

An infielder follows the ball into her glove fielding at first base during a 222’s Fastpitch practice session at the Indoor Training Centre. The 222’s were focusing on perfecting various defensive skills in the infield on this day.

Finesse throw

A player uses perfect touch to let a Frisbee fly during Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society game action on November 30 at the Indoor Training Centre. Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society league play is a staple happening at the Indoor Training Centre during the winter months.

A helping hand

A coach helps a young hitter to set up properly in order to hit the ball during one of the SNCSA’s Timbits Saturdays session on December 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. The players taking part in the Timbits Saturdays have a lot of fun and improve greatly over the winter months the program is run.

Feeling the need for speed

A base runner round second base at seemingly warp speed during one of the SNCSA’s Timbits Saturdays session on December 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. The player was taking part in a mini game that closes out the one-hour period the Timbits Saturdays program run.

Set for the relay

An infielder for the Saskatoon Giants sets to make a catch at second base before making a relay throw to first on December 6 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Giants were taking infield defensive repetitions in order to prepare for the 2024 spring and summer baseball season.

Selects break it down

Members of the Saskatoon Selects program conclude a training session with a cheer on December 6 at the Indoor Training Centre. Many spring and summer club squads do off-season work as a team unit to build skills and unity.

Up and away

Two athletes get some air time going up to battle for a Frisbee during Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society league play at the Indoor Training Centre on December 7. Those taking part in Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society action make some incredible plays on the turf.

Indoor Training Centre business picks up in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

A young hitter dives a ball into the outfield at a Timbits Saturdays session.

The winter season is upon us and action at the Indoor Training Centre is in full swing.

With snow covering all of our outdoor facilities, the Indoor Training Centre has become the hub of activity at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. Athletes from the sports of baseball and softball are frequently involved with training sessions preparing for the spring, summer and fall, and they will soon be joined by athletes from football.

When you see those athletes in action in the spring, summer and fall, they are immediately playing in a very crisp fashion which shows the results of the training sessions at the Indoor Training Centre. Some of the younger athletes that visit the Indoor Training Centre might still be learning a sport for the first time or getting a grasp of how to perform skills properly.

Our lead photo of our photo roundup sees a young hitter at a Saskatchewan North Central Softball Academy’s Timbits Saturdays session on December 3 driving a ball into the outfield. Action from the Indoor Training Centre dominates our latest photo roundup.

Outside of baseball and softball players looking to get better, league action from the Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society has become a staple at the Indoor Training Centre.

Over the past 30 days, there has still been action outdoors. The Bishop James High School Mahoney Saints closed out play at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on November 11 posting an 18-15 victory over the Weyburn Comprehensive School Eagles to win the Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association’s 5A provincial title. The ski trials have become more active too.

The activity that happens on our grounds continues to provide great material for our continuing photo roundups.

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 12 shots we hope you enjoy.

Game changing interception

A defensive back from the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints makes a critical interception at his own five yard line late in the fourth quarter to prevent the Weyburn Comprehensive School Eagles from going ahead in the SHSAA’s 5A provincial title game. The Saints held on for an 18-15 victory on November 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

Juggling act catch

This receiver from the Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints comes down with this juggling catch on a deep pass late in the fourth quarter in the SHSAA’s 5A provincial title game played on November 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. This catch allowed the Saints to hold on for an 18-15 victory over the Weyburn Comprehensive School Eagles.

Saints bring out championship smiles

The Bishop James Mahoney High School Saints are all smiles after winning the SHSAA’s 5A provincial title on November 11 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. A short time later, the Saints broke into the singing of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” That has become a team tradition after wins.

Focus on the catch

A catcher concentrates on snagging a pitch that was a bit out of the strike zone during a Going Yard Training Centre baseball training session on November 24 at the Indoor Training Centre. The catchers were going through a drill where they had to react to unexpected situations that come up during games.

In rhythm throws

A couple of pitchers mirror each other with the same throwing motion during a Going Yard Training Centre baseball training session on November 24 at the Indoor Training Centre. Pitchers were tweaking the mechanics of their various throws in this session.

In the groove on the ski trails

A young skier from the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club cycles through a classic ski circuit during a practice session on November 27. During the winter months, the Glenn Reeve Field diamonds become a home for Nordic Skiing action.

Running down the soft looper

An outfielder during a 222’s Fastpitch practice session runs down and catches a soft looping hit during a drill at the Indoor Training Centre on November 27. The 222’s having been traveling to the United States to play in winter season tournaments.

Perfecting a sweet stroke

A hitter during a JQFP Softball training session works on the mechanics of her swing during a training session on November 30 at the Indoor Training Centre. The JQFP program offers fastpitch softball instruction for all ages and skills and fields travel teams.

Getting out of jam

A thrower gets out of a trap type situation during Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society league action on December 1 at the Indoor Training Centre. The leagues overseen by the Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society offer a fun way to get or stay active.

Fielding a grounder in textbook fashion

A young infielder taking part in a Saskatchewan North Central Softball Academy Timbits Saturdays session secures a ground ball hit in textbook fashion on December 3 at the Indoor Training Centre. The SNCSA’s Timbits Saturdays program offers a great and fun way to allow young athletes to learn how to play softball.

Contested catch

Two opposing team players jump up to battle for a catch during Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-Sport Society league action on December 8 at the Indoor Training Centre. The teams on that night were playing at an elevated level making all sorts of plays.

The Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval is coming

We know skaters of all abilities have been waiting for this. The Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval is set to open on Thursday, December 15. Public skating on that day will run from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The sign shows the hours for the rest of the season. The Oval is slated to be open through to March 1, 2023 depending on the weather.

SNCSA’s Timbits Saturdays aims to create love for softball

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

A youngster works on her swing at a Timbits Saturdays session.

The reward of watching youngsters improve keeps pulling Danielle Bertoncini back into coaching with the Saskatchewan North Central Softball Academy’s Timbits Saturdays program.

Bertoncini is an outfielder with the University of Saskatchewan Softball team and was contacted about a year ago about helping coach with Timbits Saturdays. The Timbits Saturdays program offers softball instruction to children aged five to 10 in one-hour long sessions that are held Saturday mornings at the Indoor Training Centre at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex from October to February.

Players that sign up for the program will take part in a total of six one-hour sessions.

They participate in activities and games that are patterned after informal playground games that promise fun and action. The activities are set up in a way to allow players with high and low skill levels to be involved.

“When they get better, it is very exciting to see,” said Bertoncini. “I’m very proud in all the kids that we see throughout the years.

“It is awesome to see them get better. It is just an unbelievable feeling. That is why I love coming back every time.

“I’m just like, ‘Yep. Sign me up,’ because I want to comeback. Seeing the kids get better is awesome. You really get to know the kids too and how they play and that kind of thing.”

The Timbits Saturday’s program is in its third season of operation. It was developed after the Indoor Training Centre opened on March 1, 2019 and first hit the field from October 2019 to February 2020.

Noreen Murphy, who is the Timbits Coordinator, said the SNCSA was looking to offer this fun instructional program in the off-season during a time that wouldn’t conflict with other activities youngsters might be involved in. The Saturday Morning time slot was a perfect fit.

Danielle Bertoncini teach pitching to a youngster.

“With the facility being available early in the morning, we just wanted to build off of that, so parents would know that this is always when it is going to be so they could schedule around the family events and activities for the kids,” said Murphy. “It has been pretty consistent.

“We sellout every time we put it out there. We’re excited about that. Lots of kids are learning more skills.”

During the Timbits Saturdays sessions, players participate in basic drills that teach the proper forms for throwing, catching and pitching. On the hitting side, players take part in drills that work on proper stance and swinging before proceeding to hit balls off a tee into a net.

Some of those drills are used with older age groups to help reinforce the basics.

On top of those drills, the players will do some activities that are basically playground games along with some short simulated mini games at the end of the session.

Murphy said the program tries to help young players develop physical literary, but the main focus is trying to ensure they are having fun.

“I’ve always said any time you are instructing whatever you are instructing it doesn’t matter the kids need to have fun at the end of the day,” said Murphy. “If they are not having fun, they won’t comeback.

“That is a huge part of it. You will see when we instruct or teach different skill sets in the sport of softball that we include different activities that don’t look like softball, but they are building the foundation of the ABCs I call them agility, balance and coordination. Those are the pieces that you need to be a strong player and athlete eventually.

“We work on those things. They’ve had a lot of fun here, so that is what it is at the end of the day.”

Kelsey Rokosh has a young daughter in the Timbits Saturdays program, who is always pumped up at the end of the sessions about what took place and immediately looks forward to coming back.

Youngsters practise pitching at a Timbits Saturdays session.

Rokosh said her daughter plays softball in the spring and her family was looking for a way to get in some extra skill development in the off-season. She said the Timbits Saturdays program fit her family’s schedule perfectly.

Rokosh watches the Timbits Saturdays sessions from the spectator loop on the second floor of the Indoor Training Centre and enjoys watching her daughter part in the action on the field below.

“They look really organized,” said Rokosh. “The kids look like they are having fun.

“We can see that they have learned some new skills.”

She was also impressed with how well the coaches interact with the young players.

“The coaches seem really great,” said Rokosh. “They are really involved, and they seem really supportive of the kids.”

Bertoncini said it has made her feel good to be able to come out and coach at the Timbits Saturdays sessions and give back to the game.

She has enjoyed teaching the basic skills of the game to young players. She said it has helped her game, because at the elite adult levels there is a lot of focus on the intricacies and strategies of the game.

“It is honestly good for me, because it is good to go back to the basics,” said Bertoncini. “At the end of the day, ball is very simple.

“Ball is about catching the ball, throwing the ball and receiving the ball, and then hitting the ball as well. It is really good to comeback to square one. Playing for the U of S, it happens really quick, and you have to be on your toes at all times.

“At the end of the day, we want kids to come out and play and that is how the sport continues to grow in Saskatoon here. It is good to comeback to square one and kind of slow it down again and get the little kids to really enjoy their time.”

A youngster throws the ball at a Timbits Saturdays session.

During the sessions, Bertoncini hopes she can help instill a love for the sport of softball like she has for the game. She wants them to have a great experience with the game, so they will keep coming back to it.

“We are just making sure we have them have fun in it, so they continue to play as they get older,” said Bertoncini. “That is often where people drop off.

“If they are not having fun in the sport or certain things are not going well, they tend to drop out. As long as we can make sure they are having fun and pushing themselves to be better, I think that is all we can really ask for.”

For more information about programs offered by the Saskatchewan North Central Softball Academy, feel free to check out sncsacademy.com.