Ski trail fun part of winter season farewell in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club members enjoy some fellowship.

The ski trails got a sendoff.

After about a 12 day stretch in the middle of February that had daily temperatures colder than -25 C, people rushed back to the ski trails that run across the Glenn Reeve Fields and to the ice surface at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. Folks wanted to get in their last uses of both facilities as the winter season wound to an end.

On March 2, the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club came with a sizeable group of its membership to the trails at Glenn Reeve Fields. They seemed to give the trails a sendoff skiing in a fun atmosphere throughout the day.

A trio of skiers heads down a trail in classic ski form.

Our lead photo for this photo roundup sees a large group of skiers hanging out and enjoying their friendships at a tent structure set up by the timing hut. The skiers were in an upbeat mood enjoying some beverages from Tim Hortons.

The second photo sees a trio of younger skiers making their way across the trails in classic ski form. The third photo sees a trio of slightly more veteran skiers returning to the main area of the trails at the Glenn Reeve Fields after going on a longer jaunt.

Over the past six years, the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club has made great use of these trails. The club uses these trails frequently as a place to train junior aged skiers. The organization has hosted its annual Loppetapalooza event and the Saskatchewan Provincial Cross Country Ski Championships here.

Along with the pictures of skiing across the Glenn Reeve Fields, this photo roundup includes other scenes from the Oval and the Indoor Training Centre. 

A trio of skiers head to the main area of the Glenn Reeve Fields trails.

On the Oval, the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club and public skaters took their final strides. At the Indoor Training Centre, Baseball, rugby and softball groups continued their season preparations.

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 13 shots we hope you enjoy.

Gun it

A catcher from the Twin City Angels U17A team fires a throw to second base attempting to throw out a base runner during a practice on February 10 at the Indoor Training Centre. While they sharpen up their skills in their sessions, the Angels enjoy the vibe of the indoor facility.

Fun with technology

Saskatoon Berries Baseball Academy coach Logan Hofmann, centre, checks out some statistics with some players on a device that measures hitting analytics on February 12 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Berries were ending the session seeing if they could hit personal bests in various hitting analytics.

Special delivery

A pitcher from the Going Yard Baseball Academy sets to fire a strike across home plate during a training session at the Indoor Training Centre on February 12. Going Yard runs various pitchers’ sessions where they work on all aspects of a hurler’s game including skills and strength building.

All-out effort

A Saskatoon Selects player stretches out to make a diving catch during a drill on February 20 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Selects sharpen up a variety of skills during their training sessions including working on the most efficient way to make a diving catch.

Photo excitement

A couple of skaters eagerly check out a photo that one of them took during a public skating session on February 22 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. The skaters were stopped by the trees on the northwest corner of the track, which is a favourite area for selfie photos.

Snow plentiful at the Oval

A trio of skaters peacefully stride down the front straightaway of the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 22. All the facilities on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds received a lot of snow this winter including the Oval. Even with skates on and being on an elevated ice surface, the snow on the sides of the track was up to the knees of these skaters.

Out in full force

A huge group of young skiers make their way down one of the trails on the Glenn Reeve Fields under the guidance of a pair of instructors from the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club on February 23. The youngsters had a blast on the trails.

Lions hit their stride

A pair of members from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club jet down the back straightaway of the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 24. The Lions skaters were perfecting their stride taking full advantage of the lap time they had on the track.

All smiles under the Oval lights

A member of the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club cracks a smile coming out of a corner and cruises onto the back straightaway of the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 24. The skater was enjoying one of the final Lions practices at the Oval for the 2024-25 season.

Toss to daylight

Luciano Jolly of the Saskatoon Badgers Rugby Club receives a pitch to get a free release down the sideline during a practice session on February 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Badgers tackled this session with the focus you see in the middle of the season.

Drive, drive, drive

A member of the Saskatoon Badgers Ruby Club drives back a teammate holding a blocking bag during a practice session on February 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. Rugby clubs like the Badgers ensure players execute the contact aspects of the game in correct fashion.

Final hurrah for Oval

The front straightaway of the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval sits peacefully in front of the K+S Potash Canada Multi-Sports Centre building on March 2. This was the view of the Oval as it closed up for the season later on that day. The Oval will return once again in December.

Rapid fire snag

A member of the Saskatoon Cubs baseball team makes this snag of a ground ball look picture perfect. However, the fielding of a ground ball wasn’t that simple as the Cubs were using a machine to fire ground balls downfield at a rapid pace. This drill was used to help the Cubs players with their reaction time.

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.

Business picks up for baseball, football, softball in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Rachel Siwak drives the ball of a tee at the Indoor Training Centre.

The excitement and momentum for the spring season kept building and kept going when it finally came.

For the Gordie Howe Sports Complex, the arrival of May starts a period lasting about six to seven months where all the facilities on the Complex grounds are in operation. Baseball and softball begin regular season play.

Football gets going with numerous flag leagues, Saskatoon Minor Football’s North Sask Academy league and the Saskatoon Valkyries, who venture on a quest to capture another WWCFL title. The Track and Field Track gets swamped with various meets in May, June and July.

Of course, there is big excitement for the return of Western Canadian Baseball League to Saskatoon. The Saskatoon Berries will play their home opener on May 28 at 7 p.m. at Cairns Field against the Regina Red Sox. That contest will mark the first time Cairns Field has hosted a game in Canada’s premier collegiate summer wood bat league since the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets ceased operation following the 2014 season.

Activity was still busy inside the Indoor Training Centre as athletes in all these sports were peaking their training throughout April in anticipation of the calendar turning to May. One group looking further down the road in this calendar year was the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Program. They held a tryout camp inside the Indoor Training Centre from April 13 to 14.

Samantha Moore runs down a ball hit into the outfield.

Our lead picture for our photo roundup comes from that camp and sees veteran centerfielder Rachel Siwak working on her sweet swing in a batting cage on April 13. The second picture sees veteran right-fielder Samantha Moore running down a ball hit into the outfield.

The tryout camp allowed the U of S players to get in some work before joining various club teams at the start of May and playing with those squads in spring and summer. The U of S squad usually begins play in late August.

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 11 shots we hope you enjoy.

Focus on tackle form

A player with the Saskatoon Wild Oats Rugby Club concentrates on perfecting a tackling technique on a teammate during a practice session hosted by the program on April 10 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Wild Oats men’s and women’s clubs get in regular indoor training sessions as their respective seasons approach.

Lineout catch looks good

Members of the Saskatoon Wild Oats Rugby Club work at making sure the ball is caught in a lineout on April 10 at the Indoor Training Centre. Members of both the Wild Oats men’s and women’s programs were gearing up for their upcoming campaigns.

Securing the flyout

An outfielder with a Saskatoon Selects under-18 team gets under and secures a catch in the outfield during a training session on April 10 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Selects players were getting in as many defensive repetitions as possible with the season around the corner.

Tracking in top form

A catcher follows the ball into her glove during a tryout session hosted by the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Program on April 13 at the Indoor Training Centre. The coaches with the U of S club were evaluating players before they departed to their club teams in May that play in spring and summer.

Take down

A young player flattens a tackle wheel during a drill on April 16 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Saskatoon Minor Football was holding an ID camp for its North Sask Academy in the under-16 age group on this day.

Running with power

A ball carrier powers through a couple of tacklers during a kick return drill on April 16 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The drill was part of the activities overseen by Saskatoon Minor Football as part of an ID camp for its North Sask Academy in the under-16 age group.

Winter reminder

Just when it looked like the weather outside was cleared up, winter sent a reminder that it could come back at any time. Saskatoon Minor Football Field is pictured here after a snow dump on April 18.

Sweet touch throw

A quarterback makes a perfect throw during a Rush Female High School Flag Football mass practice on April 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Players taking part in the Rush program develop a strong love for the game.

Well-timed juke

A ball carrier puts on a juke move to fake out a defender during a Rush Female High School Flag Football mass practice on April 22 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Rush program is outstanding when it comes to delivering fun and competitiveness.

All in the release

A young pitcher focuses on making a good release working on her craft at a Saskatoon Phantoms under-15 team practice at the Indoor Training Centre on April 28. The Phantoms coaches had pitchers working on their release before going into a full pitch wind up.

Turning on the jets

A base runner finds her top gear turning a well-placed hit into a triple during a modified scrimmage between a pair of Saskatoon Selects teams on April 28 at the Indoor Training Centre. The turf field at the Indoor Training Centre provides a perfect spot to conduct simulated game situations.

Safe at home

Saskatoon Giants base runner Tristin Tetreault Yaremko slides in safe at home during a Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League game in under-18 AAA play against the Saskatoon Diamondbacks on May 8 at Leakos Field. The Diamondbacks ultimately squeaked out a 4-3 win.

Special delivery

Saskatoon Diamondbacks pitcher Casey Rauckman finesses a pitch to the plate during a Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League game in under-18 AAA play against the Saskatoon Giants on May 8 at Leakos Field. The Diamond slipped past the Giants 4-3.

He could go all the way

Samuel LaFreniere from Team Green runs a punt a long way back to a touchdown during North Sask Academy league action on May 8 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Team Green took this contest over Team White 41-2.

Making it look routine

A Cardinals men’s team baseball player settles under a fly ball during a training session on May 8 at the Indoor Training Centre. A smaller group of Cardinals players were out getting lots repetitions in the outfield.

A beauty site

The K+S Potash Canada Multi-Sports Centre sits overlooking the Track and Field Track on May 9 waiting to be used for that evening’s twilight meet. It makes for a great site on a sweet sunny day.