Randall-Dre Friday of Fishing Lake First Nation is an archer, and says his sport of choice is basketball. Photo by Chelsea Laskowski.
Saskatoon Tribal Council and the University of Saskatchewan have recruited about 70 First Nations kids for a new athletic leadership program.
The kids, between 10 and 14, are promising First Nations athletes whose communities have limited infrastructure or capabilities to support them in improving their abilities, said STC Chief Mark Arcand.
On Sunday, the youths converged in the College of Kinesiology’s Physical Activity Complex where they did fitness testing to see where they’re at with speed, power, vertical jump, and endurance. Later on they learned about nutrition and recovery, all while meeting Huskie athletes and coaches. There will be a total of four sessions in Saskatoon throughout the year where the kids can see how much they improved while they were back home.
Arcand said physical activity is a huge benefit for young people.
“Let’s be honest, we have a high rate of diabetes in First Nations people. So at the end of the day this will help keep kids getting active and that’s what we want, we want people to be healthy. And if it starts out at a young age, they can have a sport for life, whatever sport they choose,” said Arcand.
Both Arcand and College of Kinesiology Dean Chad London noted the partnership between STC, the College, and the Huskies is a great chance to get kids comfortable with the campus.
Grade 8 student Randall-Dre Friday of Fishing Lake First Nation is an archer and basketball player who is interested in volleyball. He said he wants to work hard so that he can attend the university later in life.