Athletic aspirations

Close to 70 young athletes ages 10-14 have been recruited by the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) to participate in the Youth Leadership Through Sports Program that will be offered at various times throughout the year under the guidance of experts from the College of Kinesiology and Huskie Athletics.

 Sunday, November 26
Media access: 11 am – 11:45 am
Physical Activity Complex (PAC) gymnasium
87 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan

The College of Kinesiology, Huskie Athletics and STC are teaming up to launch the sports program in support of Indigenous youth. From physical sport testing to strength and conditioning, nutrition and skill development, participants will be given the opportunity to reach their goals in sport and develop as leaders and role models in our communities.

“One of the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada is that we take action to ensure long-term development programs for Aboriginal athletes aspiring to compete at the highest levels,” said Chad London, dean of the College of Kinesiology. “This new program will fill a significant opportunity gap that currently exists for our Aboriginal youth, while providing our kinesiology students with a hands-on opportunity to develop their capacities in sport development and training.”

“We have naturally talented young athletes with great potential who don’t get exposure to sports excellence or elite training,” said Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand. “This program is a great start to supporting our young people in thinking big for themselves.”

“Huskie Athletics is pleased to support this amazing initiative and offer Aboriginal athletes a glimpse into what it takes to become a Huskie student-athlete,” said Shawn Burt, Huskies Athletics chief athletics officer. “We believe that through the leadership of our student-athletes, coaches and staff we can help define the path into the University of Saskatchewan and all that this great institution has to offer.”

Burt, Arcand and London will be available for media interviews in the PAC gymnasium on Sunday from 11 to 11:45 am.

For more information, contact:

Jennifer Thoma
Media Relations Specialist
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-1851
jennifer.thoma@usask.ca

Nicole Betker
Sports Information Director
Huskie Athletics
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-1024
nicole.betker@usask.ca

Priscilla Wolf
Media Relations
Saskatoon Tribal Council
306-380-3935
pwolf@sktc.sk.ca