WELCOME TO THE 50TH DISPLAY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF REGINA
THE FIRST GAMES
The First Saskatchewan Summer Games
The first Saskatchewan Games were held in Moose Jaw from August 31-September 3, 1972. Roy Romanow, Minister of the Saskatchewan Youth Agency, initiated the games. The first Saskatchewan Games saw sixteen sports involved in the event.
The First Saskatchewan Winter Games
After the success of the Saskatchewan Summer Games two years prior, the Saskatchewan Winter Games were held in the North Battleford region from March 4-9, 1974. The province was divided into eight zones for both the first summer and winter Saskatchewan Games.
1970's
1976 Summer Games
The second Saskatchewan Summer Games was held in Swift Current. Olympians Sandra Schmirler and Gina Smith competed in these Games. Schmirler competed in swimming events and Smith competed in equestrian events.
1978 Winter Games
The second Saskatchewan Winter Games was held in Moose Jaw. Olympian James Rozon competed in gymnastics for Zone 6. Rozon was one of the younger participants competing at just 14 years old.
1980's
1980 Summer Games
The 1980 Saskatchewan Summer Games were held in Estevan. Two-time Olympian Carey Nelson competed in the track and field events at the games.
1982 Winter Games
In 1982, the Saskatchewan Winter Games were held in Prince Albert. Cross-Country Skiing athlete Dennis Lawrence participated in the 1982 Winter Games.
The Joe Griffiths Award
The Joe Griffiths trophy is awarded to the zone that has improved the most over the course of the history of the Saskatchewan Games. Zones will have their Games Flag scores compared to previous Saskatchewan Games. The team that improves their winnings the most percentage-wise wins the Joe Griffiths Trophy.
1984 Saskatchewan Games
The 1984 Saskatchewan Summer Games were held in North Battleford. Zone 7 (North Battleford and Rosetown) won both the Games Flag point competition and the Jor Griffiths Award.
1986 Saskatchewan Winter Games
The 1986 Saskatchewan Winter Games were hosted in Yorkton. Winter Olympians Fiona Smith-Bell and Jason Parker participated in these games. Smith-Bell played for Zone 7 on the women’s hockey team. While Parker went on to become an Olympic speed skater, he participated as a volunteer for the 1986 Games. The Yorkton speed skating club was born out of the 1986 Games which ultimately lead to Parker’s Olympic pathway.
1988 Summer Games
The 1988 Saskatchewan Summer Games were hosted in Melfort. Zone 1 (Estevan and Weyburn) won the Games Flag points and Joe Griffiths Award.
1990's
1990 Winter Games
Both Melville and Ituna hosted the 1990 Saskatchewan Winter Games. Zone 6 (Saskatoon) came first in Game Flag points while Zone 5 (Humboldt, Watrous) won the Joe Griffiths Award for their district improvement.
1992 Summer Games
Prince Albert hosted the 1992 Saskatchewan Summer Games. Multi-sport athlete Jacqueline Lavalee competed as a track and field athlete. While gifted in athletics, Lavalee went onto have success in both soccer and basketball at the University of Saskatchewan.
1994 Winter Games
Kindersley was the host city for the 1994 Saskatchewan Winter Games. It was at these games where Lisa Franks competed in the downhill ski racing events. Just two years later, Franks became paralyzed due to the sudden onslaught of a vascular condition. In spite of these challenges, Franks went on to win seven Olympic medals in wheelchair racing and play for the national wheelchair basketball team.
1996 Summer Games
The 1996 Saskatchewan Summer Games were hosted in Moose Jaw. While Colleen Sostorics is known for her participation in winter sports as a former member of the Canadian women’s hockey team, she participated in the 1996 Games in the athletics events.
1998 Winter Games
Nipawin was the host city for the 1998 Saskatchewan Winter Games. Zone 8 (Prince Albert, Melfort) won for Games Flag points, and Zone 6 (Saskatoon) won the Joe Griffiths Award.
2000's
2000 Summer Games
The 2000 Saskatchewan Summer Games were hosted in Yorkton. There, Zone 8 (Prince Albert, Melfort) won for most Game Flag points, while Zone 4 (Yorkton, Melville) won the Joe Griffiths Award for most improvement.
2002 Winter Games
The 2002 Saskatchewan Winter Games was hosted by Humboldt. The 2002 Games saw many future speed skating Olympians compete in these games. Marsha Hudey, William Dutton, and Lucas Makowsky. Hudey not only participated in the 2002 Winter Games, she also competed in the 2004 Summer Games in soccer.
2002 Expansion
The 2002 Games brought an additional zone to represent more of the province. Zone number nine was added to better represent northern communities.
2004 Summer Games
Weyburn was the host city for the 2004 Saskatchewan Summer Games. Olympians to participate in these games include, Marsha Hudey, Erica Gavel, Miranda Bliteski. Hudey competed in soccer in these games, but went onto become an Olympic speed skater. Gavel competed in basketball and was later selected for the Olympic wheelchair basketball team. Bilteski participated in swimming event at these games, but later became a wheelchair rugby Olympian.
2006 Winter Games
The 2006 Saskatchewan Winter Games were hosted in Melfort. This year also brought about a proposal to change the zoning system of the games. The nine Zone Sport Councils and twenty-three Regional Recreation Associations merged to create nine District organizations. While the district concept was proposed in 2006, it would not be enacted until the 2010 Saskatchewan Games.
2008 Summer Games
The 2008 Saskatchewan Summer Games was hosted by Lloydminster. While Zone 2 (Regina) earned the most Games Flags points, Zone 3 (Moose Jaw, Swift Current) won the Joe Griffiths Award for their improvement.
2010's
2010 Winter Games:
Moose Jaw was selected as the host city for the 2010 Saskatchewan Winter Games. This became the first Saskatchewan Games where the nine-District system was used.
Current national women’s hockey player and Team Sask alumni Emily Clark competed in hockey at these games.
Tara Hancherow and Carlie Jean Bowditch, Figure Skating Coaches for Saskatoon and Lakeland are pointing out the 2010 medals they received as athletes in the 2010 Winter Games!
2018 Winter Games:
The 2018 Saskatchewan Winter Games were hosted in North Battleford. Paralympic athlete Colette Bourgonje was a coach for the first Saskatchewan Games Para Nordic Skiing athletes.
2020 Summer Games:
2020 marked the first time where the Saskatchewan Games had to be cancelled. While Lloydminster was set to host the summer event, the games were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Lloydminster is set to host the 2024 Summer Games.
The 2022 Saskatchewan Winter Games were postponed by a year due to ongoing public health orders.
50 Year Anniversary:
2022 marked the Saskatchewan Games’ 50th anniversary. While the 2022 Saskatchewan Winter Games were postponed until 2023, the event reminds us of the importance this sporting event has in our province.
MOTHER DAUGHTER DUO
Joyce Schmalz and her daughter Gabrielle Schmalz have had success at the Saskatchewan Games. At the 1994 Saskatchewan Winter Games, Joyce won a bronze medal in Alpine Skiing. Joyce competed for Zone 7 now known as Rivers West District. In 2018, Gabrielle would repeat the family success with a silver medal in the same sport.
In addition to participating in the 1994 Games as an athlete, Joyce Schmalz served as a volunteer in the 2018 Games when her daughter competed. In 2023, Joyce served as the Chef for the Saskatoon District.
SASKATCHEWAN GAMES COMMITMENT
Lorne Lasuita has been actively involved in the Saskatchewan Games events since 1974. From serving as Chef de Mission, to Provincial Games Consultant, to Selection Committee for host communities and the Games’ Sport Calendar, his dedication to the event shines through his work at every Sask Games from 1974 to the present 2023 Saskatchewan Games.
The Saskatchewan Games Council is a not-for-profit provincial organization made up of three full-time, permanent staff members and 10 Directors whose focus is to provide a quality multi-sport experience for our province's young, developing athletes. With participation from thousands of athletes, coaches, and officials at each event, the Games' 50-year history wouldn't be possible without the endless efforts of incredible volunteers!
The Council wants to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for all the hard work and dedication that every volunteer has put into the Games. We're forever thankful for your time.
At each Games, volunteers go above and beyond to help produce the best Saskatchewan Games yet! Our volunteer's unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of young athletes from across the provinces is truly inspiring! Their selfless efforts have significantly impacted the Saskatchewan sports system, and we cannot thank everyone involved in the Games for their invaluable contribution.
RELIVE ALL THE MOMENTS!
You can find photos on our website: www.saskgames.ca or follow our social accounts below!