The Saskatchewan First Nation Winter Games are coming to the area.
Onion Lake is hosting the games in partnership with some facilities in Lloydminster to handle the influx of participants and their families. The 42nd Games begin with Opening Ceremonies Sunday, March 27th, and the matches officially begin the following day, wrapping up April 1st with Closing Ceremonies.
“The games bring together our youth, to not only learn new skills, but also learn the value to teamwork, dedication, sportsmanship, and leadership, that encourages them to excel in a healthy lifestyle,” says Tamara Belly, executive assistant for Saskatchewan First Nation Winter Games.
Athletes ranging in age from 9 to 18, from different regions: 13 different tribal councils will compete in 7 sports: hockey, volleyball, basketball, badminton, broom ball, curling, and table tennis.
Unfortunately, the organizers are short on volunteers to help facilitate the events. Belly says that as of 10 days prior to the Games, they were short about 200 volunteers.
“We’re cutting close to the games, so it’s getting down to crunch time. We need volunteers in: hockey, for timekeeper/scorekeepers, games marshal, penalty box; for broom ball, we need equipment managers, scorekeepers; and then we need event staff, venue supervisors… We need volunteers basically everywhere,” says Belly.
The organization has both a Facebook page and a website available for any information that spectators, participants, and volunteers may need. Here’s a link to the 2016 Saskatchewan First Nations Winter Games:Â http://sask2016.com/
You can fill out a volunteer application on the website or contact the organization at 780-875-7077
They’re located inside the Onion Lake Energy office downtown.