Competitions at this year's Saskatchewan Summer Games include archery, athletics, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, canoe and kayak, golf and soccer. (Submitted)

By CKOM News

Building excitement

The Saskatchewan Summer Games return to Lloydminster next month

Jun 23, 2024 | 8:00 AM

In just a month’s time, more than 1,800 athletes from across the province will gather in Lloydminster for the Saskatchewan Summer Games.

The games will run from July 21 to 27, with 14 different sports featured, including archery, athletics, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, canoe and kayak, golf and soccer. The games will also include Special Olympics events for the first time, with competitions in bocce, swimming, tennis, triathlon and volleyball.

The summer games were first held in 1972 to provide an additional opportunity for developing athletes, coaches and officials to join a high-level, multi-sport competition.

“Countless Saskatchewan Games alumni have advanced to competition at the national level and beyond, with Olympians such as Emily Clarke, Marsha Hudey and Lucas Makowsky counting the Saskatchewan Games as a key step in their journey to the highest levels of sport,” the provincial government noted.

Organizers are busy recruiting more than 1,000 local volunteers to help make the event happen, with volunteer roles ranging from merchandise sales and mascot handling to sports photography and everything in between. Greg Perreaux, executive director of the Saskatchewan Games Council, said it takes a lot of effort to ensure everything runs smoothly.

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“It takes a village to deliver the Saskatchewan Games, and we can’t wait to work together to deliver this once-in-a-lifetime experience to our province’s young athletes,” Perreaux said in a statement.

Tryouts for the summer games are taking place until the end of the month, with the final selections to be published the first week of July.

Laura Ross, Saskatchewan’s minister for parks, culture and sport, congratulated everyone involved in the games.

“Thank you to all the amazing volunteers for your hard work in getting ready for what will surely be an amazing event,” Ross said in a statement.

“The Saskatchewan Games recognizes our young athletes for their hard work and dedication and helps prepare them for higher levels of competition. They promote healthy, active lifestyles and build pride throughout our province and communities.”

The schedule for the games and spectator tickets can be found online.