Today was our second day at the games. The dorms were very warm during the night, yet we had a decent sleep. Everyone on the team has bonded quite well and we are all getting along with one another. We had two games to play today, both at the Bert Hunt Arena. The first game we played was against the Lakeland Zone, where we won 4-2. We had to wake up at quarter to six this morning to make it in time for our first game that was played at nine. We then bussed over to the Heritage INN where we had lunch.

Lunch consisted of chili and buns, pasta and a soup and sandwich bar. Afterwards, we arrived back at the dorms to rest up for our next game. Our second game was at five, and we left to the rink at three thirty. We played our second game against the Saskatoon Zone, where we won 3-2. This was a very intense game and close in scoring. It was a battle royal.

Once again, we went back to the Heritage INN for supper, where we had rice and stir fry. The meal was delicious. When we arrived back at the dorms, we had a team bonding session that took about half an hour. We had to list all 30 NHL teams in 4 minutes. The spelling had to be correct and the group with the most correct won a prize.

We were wandering the halls when we came across the Canadian Men’s hockey game. Canada 2, Switzerland 2. Overtime solved nothing, so it went into a shootout. The room was rocking and we couldn’t imagine how loud the rink must have been. Canada picked 3 shooters: Sidney Crosby, Ryan Getzlaf, and Jonathan Toews. Canada only shot four times, where Sidney Crosby sniped a big one for us. Everyone watching was cheering for our wonderful country.

Tomorrow we have the chance to sleep in. Our game is not until 5pm. If we win or tie, we advance to the Gold Final. The Southeast Boys Hockey team went home with a gold medal earlier this week, so the bar is set high for us. We are determined and ready for what faces us next.

-Paloma Proszak and Jaelei Meyer

Hello there, my name is Paloma Proszak and I am writing with Jaelei Meyer. Today was the first day of the Saskatchewan Winter Games for the second half athletes. We are here to play hockey and we are representing team Southeast. Hockey plays an important part in our lives and we are both very fortunate to accomplish the goal of competing at the games.

The bus left Weyburn at 9:45 am and we arrived in Moose Jaw at approximately 12:00 pm. As soon as we arrived, we got our name tags handed out to us. Then we were escorted into the school and got our tour of the building. We made ourselves comfortable in our assigned rooms and began to venture out. There were many others doing the same and you could tell that everyone was excited to be here for the next four days.

As we wandered the halls, we came upon the recreational areas that have been designed for all athletes. There was a TV lounge, a quiet lounge, and an activity lounge, where we spent our day cheering on Team Canada and bonding with other participants.

The Southeast hockey team got together for a meeting to review what was planned for this fine evening, we then bussed over to the Heritage INN, where we had a delicious meal. Supper today consisted of mashed potatoes, ham, chicken and turkey, along with salad and to top it off, corn and buns! The bus leaves every fifteen minutes back to your destination, and we have been lounging around since. Tomorrow the competition begins with two games throughout the day.

Overall, our day has been a complete success and we are looking forward in spending the rest of our time here in Moose Jaw. This will be an experience we will never forget.

My name is Hailey Coakley and I am writing here from the media centre with Dana Dale.  We are both from Frontier representing the South West in the badminton category.  We first arrived in Moose Jaw on Sunday at around 10:30: the first to arrive.  Being first was nice because we didn’t have to wait for different teams to get registered and get their individual “sweet tags”. They were very important and you could not forget them, as Dana and I learned.  We were escorted to the third floor to our designated bunk bed rooms.  The volunteers were very welcoming to each athlete.  If we had any questions, they were always somewhere in the building ready to answer or tell us where to go.  Everyone was excited to see the athlete’s village and where our home would be for the next four days.

As soon as we finished getting settled in and picking our own bunk beds (bottom for Dana and I since we despise sleeping on the top), we toured the building.  We made our way to the game room, the TV room, and the gymnasium to see the place where we were going to play badminton and compete.  Even though at times we didn’t know where places were, volunteers were quick to help us and knew exactly where everything was.  Since there were no events going on in the village, we wanted to watch our South West hockey team play.  The only problem was that it was out at the base and there was no transportation to get there.  Our friend Stephanie, had her connections and kindly got us two courteous vans.  We went and cheered on our team when they were playing South East.  After the hockey game, we had to make our way back to the Heritage Inn where all the meals are prepared and where the athletes eat.  The food on Sunday was amazing.  There were potatoes, stuffing, ham, turkey, and salad.  It felt like Thanksgiving all over again.  The only two negative things that I can say are how hot our room is due to the sun beaming down on our room during the day, and that there is no dessert! JJ! Other than that, these games have been amazing so far.

The opening ceremonies was to begin at 6:45 p.m.  This was a huge event.  The civic centre, a.k.a the crushed can, was packed and I was shocked to see that many people there.  At the pep rally held last week, one of the speakers said it was going to be “the biggest, most happenin’ event in the city of Moose Jaw and everyone should get their tickets before they are all sold out”.  This was true.  I had attended Summer Games in Lloydminster for track and the opening ceremonies could not be compared to these.  It was an amazing feeling to walk in that filled building and to feel proud that we were representing our part of Saskatchewan in the Winter Games that are held every four years.  We were lucky to be involved in this big event.  There were fireworks, smoke, lights, and loud music.  There were bands, dancers, speakers including George Reid, and LOTS of standing.  It did get a little long, but in the end it was all worth it.

Patience was one of the things we had to have.  Since there are around 500 athletes during the first part of the week, not everyone can fit on one bus to be transported to their venues, or the dinner banquet room.  We always had to wait out in the cold for the proper bus, so we had to be patient and wait.  It is very handy for us badminton players to be living right in the building where our competition will take place.

Everything here has been a worthwhile experience so far.  We have met many people ranging from ages 11 to 18.  I had to play a national player, Elisa Lamb, on Monday morning, so I got to meet her and her brother, Sean Lamb, who was also amazing at badminton.  I know we will make many friendships here at these games and I am thrilled to have this opportunity!

ps. Hi Aunty Cathy!

Tansi and Ravi joined the croud as the community of Regina participated in the Wishmaker Walk for Wishes. This walk is the premiere national fund-raising event for Children’s Wish foundation.

I’m currently working on some medal designs for the 2010 Saskatchewan Winter Games. Check out the the photo above to see what we’ve come up with. We are looking for something classic that will have some longevity so we won’t design new medals for every Games. If anyone has any ideas or comments please let me know.

Julie

2010 Saskatchewan Winter Games theme song
The Fight for a Dream by Jared Robinson
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2010 Winter Games Mascots Tansi and Ravi, photo by James Johnson, Brighter Image Studios

At a media conference held in Moose Jaw today, the 2010 Saskatchewan Winter Games Host Committee announced their new theme song and introduced two bushy tailed mascots to represent the excitement and athleticism of the Games.

The Saskatchewan Games Council then added to the celebratory mood of the event by presenting Tony Dreger, Chairperson of the 2010 Games Host Committee with a $240,000 cheque. This financial contribution represents the Saskatchewan Games Council’s commitment to the 2010 Saskatchewan Winter Games Host Committee.

The Tri-Party Agreement, which clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the 2010 Saskatchewan Winter Games partners and formalizes their financial arrangements, was also signed at the media conference. Brenda Bathgate, Chairperson of the Saskatchewan Games Council along with Tony Dreger, Chairperson of the 2010 Saskatchewan Winter Games Host Committee and Mayor Dale McBain participated in the signing of the agreement. With the Tri-Party Agreement signed the 2010 Saskatchewan Winter Games Host Committee can now focus on recruiting the 1500 plus volunteers needed to stage the Games from February 14th to the 20th 2009.

Glenn Hagel, Director of Ceremonies and Protocol, introduced the 2010 Games theme music entitled Fight for a Dream. The theme music, composed and produced by local musician Jared Robinson, suggests an epic contest that requires the athlete to strive for an internal discipline or vision of success, as well as the external physical mastery of all the skills necessary to do their best in competition. Jared Robinson, was in the group of top ten finalists who submitted new theme music for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.

The Winter Games Mascots, Tansi and Ravi, were introduced by Patrick Hall, Director of Promotions and Marketing. Tansi and Ravi are a sister and brother team of white-tailed deer. Tansi (pronounced Tawn-say) is a Cree language greeting which means, “Hi, how are you?” Ravi (pronounced Ra-vee) means “delighted” in French. Tansi and Ravi were chosen as the official mascots of the 2005 Canada Summer Games held in Regina, Saskatchewan.  At the conclusion of the Canada Games the mascots were gifted to the Saskatchewan Games Council which adopted them as the official mascots of the Saskatchewan Games program.

White-tailed deer are found naturally throughout many areas of Saskatchewan. In 2001, they were named Saskatchewan’s official animal. The athleticism of the white-tailed deer makes it a perfect choice for the Saskatchewan Games, The white-tailed deer exhibits many of the qualities and talents that are demonstrated by athletes. The animal is an excellent runner, jumper and swimmer.

To learn more about Jared Robinson, click here.

For more information on the Saskatchewan Games program please contact:

Julie Thoring, Communications Coordinator
Saskatchewan Games Council
phone: 306-780-9387
www.saskgames.ca

Patrick Hall, Director
Marketing and Promotion
2010 Moose Jaw Winter Games
Phone: 306-631-3149

Hi

I’m Susan Schneider the Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Games Council. 

Lorne Lasuita our Provincial Games Consultant and myself attended the Saskatchewan Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala last evening.  We were honored to represent the Lloydminster host organizing committee for the 2008 Saskatchewan Summer Games.  They were awarded the Promotional/Marketing Campaign for an Event or Festival with a budget over $20,000.00.  The gala evening honored a variety of individuals, businesses and special events held within the the province of Saskatchewan.

I would like to applaud the Lloydminster committee and a dedicated core of volunteers and community supporters that hosted the province to a fabulous of week of sport in August 2008.  We now look forward to February 2010 when the city of Moose Jaw will host the next Saskatchewan Winter Games, February 14 – 20, 2010.

Wow it’s finally here,

We (the Saskatchewan Games Council) are going to launch the new Saskatchewan Games permanent website tomorrow morning at the Moose Jaw Cultural Center and I am super pumped.

My name is Julie Chabot and I am the Communications Coordinator for the Saskatchewan Games Council. I’ve been working on this website, as well as a new site for the Saskatchewan Games Council and Team Sask, for the past eight months. The last couple months have been quite a roller coaster ride. I’ve made a ton of mistakes and learned a lot and now I think I’m finally ready to let go and see what the rest of the world thinks of the Saskatchewan Games online.

So please send me your comments and/or concerns regarding this new site and together we will make www.saskgames.ca the best multi-sport website on the web.