By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| Kennedy Mann, right, uses proper form to make a tackle. |
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.
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| Julia Smith throws a pass for the Valkyries. |
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.
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| Jada Duchene makes a catch for the Valkyries. |
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.
