A couple middle schoolers from E.S. Laird got a surprise when they turned out for basketball practice and then realized that they were getting awards for their exploits in badminton.
Thursday afternoon’s basketball session at the Hoop Factory was the stage for the mini-award presentation.
Diane Gow, Sports Academy badminton instructor with the Lloydminster Public School Division was on hand to give out medals and two cheques for $100 each to Danielle Binetruy and Tayton Graham.
Gow sees the recipients of the new Golden Birdie award as exemplifying sportsmanship, motivation, talent and being outstanding students.
While Binetruy was away on another school activity, seventh grader Graham says he will save up his money to buy a truck when he turns 16-years. The doubles-badminton player also plays hockey, basketball and the piano. He compares the skills of hockey and badminton.
“Well smashing is kind of the same as a slap shot. So lots of power into that,” says Graham.
Instructor Gow who also coaches volleyball seeks to build the sporting programs from the younger players to the high school ranks.
She says they hold two three-week sessions during the school year.
“I encourage to try to make their school teams and hopefully they will be at high school, at the Lloyd Comp – that’s where I coach too.”
The Sports Academy programs begin from grades 5 across the LPSD.