Team South West 2018

Information Guide For Athletes and Parents

2018 Saskatchewan Winter Games

February 18-24, 2018

Visit our website at www.gosouthwest.ca

Like us on Facebook or follow us on twitter @SWDCRS

For more information on the Saskatchewan Winter Games regarding schedules and tickets please visit www.saskgames.ca/winter

Message from the Chef de Mission: Anne Weisgerber Team South West 2018 Go South West Go! Congratulations on being chosen for Team South West 2018. Can you feel the energy? North Battleford will host the 2018 Saskatchewan Winter Games and showcase sporting excellence in the spirit of sportsmanship. The Saskatchewan Games bring together the best amateur athletes in the largest multi-sport competition in our province. This is your time to represent the black and gold. Your training is complete, and all we ask of you is your best. There is no limit to your success. Do you dream of the Olympics? The dream must start somewhere...yours can start in North Battleford! During the games, there are opportunities to take part in social activities and be a member of a larger team. Opportunity exists for cultural events as well as times to meet other athletes. Your time at the Winter Games is a chance to make new friends, within your sport and athletes from other sports. It is a unique experience that I hope you will look back on with fond memories.

Please take this opportunity to read through this manual, for information on packing, travel and much more. Thanks to all managers, coaches and athletes for the time and sacrifice you have spent in an effort to make the Games an event to remember. Play hard, play fair and have fun!

RULES FOR ATHLETES, COACHES AND MANAGERS As a member of Team South West you must: • Abide by the Saskatchewan Games Code of Conduct, which you have signed • Reside in the Athletes Village and follow the rules established within it • Wear your Team South West walk-out uniform at all Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Games • Wear your Team South West walk-out uniform at Medal presentations and for all media interviews • Respect your teammates and other competitors’ schedules. Even if you may not compete until later in the day, someone within your room or next door may have an early competition and need their sleep to compete to the best of their ability ATHLETE REGISTRATION FEE The Saskatchewan Games Council charges each athlete a Games Registration fee of $75. This fee can be paid online, through the GemsPro registration system. Each of you registered online. Once the roster for your sport has been confirmed, your registration will be confirmed and considered active. At that point, you will receive an email instructing you to login to your registration, and pay your fee. If you are not able to pay online, please contact Chef Anne Weisgerber at anne@gosouthwest.ca. This fee covers transportation to the Games, meals and accommodations at the Athletes Village and your walk-out uniform. Please check your Saskatchewan Games Participant Handbook, distributed at the Pep Rally from the North Battleford Host Committee, for more details regarding meals and the Athletes Village. The Athletes Village will give you the opportunity to take in the atmosphere of the Games and provide you with the chance to meet people from all across the province. Throughout the week, there will be approximately 2000 athletes in North Battleford. There will be many cultural activities going on during Games week, which add to the fun. We encourage you to go and watch other sports and cheer on the other athletes on Team South West. Take advantage of this experience and enjoy the benefits of what the Saskatchewan Games are all about. WALK-OUT UNIFORM The Walk-out Uniform is the outfit worn by all athletes, coaches, managers and mission staff at events such as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Medal Presentations and Team Media Conferences. The official Walk-out Uniform for Team South West 2018 is a soft shell lined jacket, long-sleeve t-shirt and toque in Team South West colors, black and gold. In order to portray a professional sporting image, we request that everyone wear a pair of black pants with this uniform for the Opening or Closing Ceremonies.

WHAT TO BRING TO THE GAMES? You will need to bring your own personal items to North Battleford. It will be February in Saskatchewan – be prepared for cold! Pack the following:

• North Battleford Winter Games 2018 Participant Handbook (received at the Pep Rally February 11th)

• Team South West Athlete Information Guide

• Personal identification – hospitalization card, driver’s license, etc.

• Sleeping bag and pillow – bunk beds are provided, but not bedding

• One single bed sheet

• Team South West walk-out uniform (jacket, t-shirt and toque)

• Black pants – to be used for the Opening or Closing Ceremonies

• Competition uniform

• Sports equipment you will need to compete

• Footwear – runners, boots, etc.

• It is recommended to bring shower sandals – the showers are cleaned regularly, but there are a lot of people using them!

• Appropriate clothing for winter – jeans, sweaters, sweats, mitts, etc.

• Your walk-out jacket is lined, but is not designed for long periods outdoors. We suggest that you bring a warm jacket, as well

• Pajamas – you are sharing a room. Consider others

• Personal toiletries - soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, shower sandals, etc.

• towels and face cloth

• Bank cards/spending money (Do not bring large amounts of cash; it’s too easy to lose)

• Medication Please bring any medication that you take on a regular basis Please ensure that you pack this in your carry-on for the bus trip to and

from the Games You will be required to store your medication at the Medical Polyclinic at

the Athletes’ Village. This is for safety reasons. Please be ready to give your medication to your Mission staff upon arrival, for delivery to the Polyclinic

Other Suggestions of What to Bring:

• facial tissues, lip balm, moisturizer

• camera

• wrist watch

• ear plugs (yes, some people are loud sleepers)

• alarm clock

• hand sanitizer to carry with you

• chargers and power cords

• If you have any previous injuries that require taping, ensure you bring enough tape for yourself. The medical facilities at the Games will NOT provide taping services for previous injuries

• There will be lockers available for athletes. While the dorm rooms will be locked, you will be sharing with other people. Bring a lock if you want to use a locker

• We recommend NOT bringing valuables that you cannot carry with you REMEMBER to clearly identify all of your personal belongings, especially your uniform. All of the members of Team South West have the same walk-out uniform – write your name on yours! LUGGAGE You must be able to carry what you pack! Because of space constraints, please note that each of you can only bring:

1 piece of luggage 1 bag with sleeping bag and pillow 1 carry-on Sports equipment – please bring only what you need for competition

TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE SASKATCHEWAN GAMES Bus Transportation is provided for all Team South West 2018 members to and from North Battleford by South Sask Bus Lines. All athletes, coaches and managers are required to use the bus transportation provided on the way to the Games, even if parents are going. The bus ride on the way to the Games is part of the Games experience and is a fun way to meet some of the participants in other sports! There will be one bus traveling from Swift Current and one from Moose Jaw, on both Sunday, February 18th and on Wednesday, February 21st. The return trips will see buses returning to Swift Current and Moose Jaw on Wednesday, February 21st and Saturday, February 24th. Departure locations will be Swift Current Mall (in front of WalMart) and Moose Jaw Town & Country Mall parking lots. Please make sure all luggage and equipment is identified with your NAME TAG. Please make sure you have made transportation arrangements with your family and/or coach/manager to and from the bus departure/arrival location. Departing Athletes, Coaches and Managers should meet at their designated departure point (mall parking lot) at least 15 minutes before departure time, in order to load the bus and be there for roll call, so the bus can depart on schedule.

TEAM SOUTH WEST BUS SCHEDULE

1st Half Sports: Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Curling (male), Gymnastics, Hockey (male), Judo, Synchronized Swimming, Speed Skating, Target Shooting, Weightlifting To North Battleford: Sunday, February 18th Load Swift Current 10:15am Swift Current Mall - south parking lot Depart Swift Current 10:30am South of WalMart Load Moose Jaw 9:45am Moose Jaw Mall – west parking lot Depart Moose Jaw 10:00am Arrive North Battleford 2:00pm Registration/Accreditation time is

2:00 – 2:30pm Return trip: Wednesday, February 21st Depart North Battleford *4:00 PM Arrive Swift Current *9:30 PM Swift Current Mall - south parking lot Arrive Moose Jaw *10:00PM Moose Jaw Mall – west parking lot 2nd Half Sports: Badminton, Bowling, Cross Country Ski, Curling (female), Figure Skating, Hockey (female), Snowboarding, Table Tennis, Wrestling To North Battleford: Wednesday, February 21st Load Swift Current 10:15am Swift Current Mall - south parking lot Depart Swift Current 10:30am south of WalMart Load Moose Jaw 9:45am Moose Jaw Mall – west parking lot Depart Moose Jaw 10:00am Arrive North Battleford 2:00 PM Registration/Accreditation time is 2:00 – 2:30pm Return trip: Saturday, February 24th Depart North Battleford *6:00 PM After Closing Ceremonies Arrive Swift Current *9:30 PM Swift Current Mall - south parking lot Arrive Moose Jaw *10:00PM Moose Jaw Mall – west parking lot

*Return trip departure and arrival times are approximate and determined by the bus company, competition schedules and Closing Ceremonies. Those coming to pick up the athletes on their return home should arrive early as the buses could be early. Please check with your athlete, at least those with cell phones!

LUNCH ON TRAVEL/ARRIVAL DAY (SUNDAY OR WEDNESDAY) Please make sure that you have a bag lunch for your trip to North Battleford. It is a long trip and you will get hungry, and there will be no stops for purchasing food. The first meal provided will be supper on the evening of your arrival. TRAVEL HOME Athletes may travel home with their parents, as long as the appropriate Travel Permission Form has been signed by a parent/guardian and returned to your coach/manager or the Team South West office. Travel permission slips can be obtained from your coach or manager as well as on the District website (www.gosouthwest.ca), the District office (prior to the Games), at the Pep Rally or from the Mission Desk (at the Games). Please complete and turn in the form as soon as possible. HYGIENE AND HEALTH As in all situations where there are many people together, there is always the possibility of people getting sick, and spreading the germs. Health officials will tell you that the best way to prevent getting sick and transmitting germs is to practice good hand washing techniques, and to use healthy practices. Eat right, get enough sleep and wash your hands for at least 30 seconds every time you use the bathroom, before you eat and any other time you think of it! There will be hand sanitizer located throughout the facilities – use it! If an athlete requires a prescription drug during the Games, due to illness or injury, please be prepared to pay for it. PARENTS: If you are attending the Games, please keep in mind the following:

√ The Coach is responsible for the athletes. Please abide by decisions and requirements outlined by your child’s coach.

√ You are encouraged to take part in and advantage of all the many activities happening, not just your child’s sport – other sports, as well as the cultural and other activities planned by the North Battleford Host Committee and the City of North Battleford.

√ The Team South West Mission Staff are here to help the Team – if you have questions, please feel free to ask any one of us.

√ You must purchase your own tickets for events and ceremonies.

MISSION STAFF The Mission Staff are an integral part of Team South West 2016. Under the direction of the Chef-de-Mission, they are responsible for the overall management of Team South West prior to and during the Games, for coordinating the Team South West team, and for acting as a link between the team and the Host Committee in North Battleford. The Mission Staff will be assigned to specific sports, and work on behalf of Team South West, so athletes and coaches can focus on competition and enjoy their experience at the 2018 Saskatchewan Winter Games. The Team South West Mission Staff are comprised of South West District for Culture, Recreation and Sport staff, and volunteers from the sport community in Southwest Saskatchewan. Our Mission Staff are very approachable and knowledgeable, so don’t hesitate to talk to them and ask them for help if you need it. The Team South West 2018 Mission Desk will be located in the library in the Games Village in the North Battleford Comprehensive High School in North Battleford. Each District has their own mission desk - look for our gold and black decorated desk! Mission Desk Hours are 7:00 am – 11:00pm, starting February 18th. The Team South West Mission Desk phone number is 306-421-3945. Be aware that this number has no message taking capability, and there may not always be someone at this number. If you must reach someone from Team South West, and no one answers at the Mission Desk, please call the Chef de Mission at 306-662-7370.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

Team South West would like to extend a special thank you to all those sport contacts, coaches and managers who have been involved in putting the team together. All of

these people are volunteers, and spend countless hours organizing the athletes and the playdowns to ensure that we are sending the most capable team possible to compete

for Team South West at these Games.

The Sport Contacts, Coaches and Managers are valuable members of Team South West and should be congratulated for all of their time and efforts committed to preparing this

team.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WORK!!

CONTACT INFORMATION If you have questions, please feel free to contact:

Anne Weisgerber Chef de Mission South West District for Culture, Recreation & Sport (Maple Creek office)

306-662-3242 – office phone 306-662-7370 – February 17th forward

anne@gosouthwest.ca

GOOD LUCK!

The Board & Staff of the South West District for Culture, Recreation & Sport congratulates you on achieving

Team South West status, and wishes you the best of luck and good competition.

Play hard, play fair, have fun!

Visit our website at www.gosouthwest.ca

Like us on Facebook or follow us on twitter @SWDCRS

For more information on the Saskatchewan Winter Games regarding schedules and tickets please visit www.saskgames.ca/winter

SASKATCHEWAN GAMES BACKGROUND INFO The Saskatchewan Games are the largest multi-sport event in this province, drawing young people from all corners of Saskatchewan. The Games were first held in Moose Jaw in 1972 and have been a strong developmental force for all sport within the province. Over the years, the Saskatchewan Games have been a stepping stone for many of our province’s, and even our country’s, top athletes. Jason Parker of Yorkton competed for Zone 4 in the Saskatchewan Winter Games and became a member of the Canadian National Speed Skating Team. Former NHL Stars Gord Kluzak and Marc Habschied competed for Zone 3 (now Team South West!) at the 1978 Winter Games in Moose Jaw. Caley Millar of Chaplin competed in the Saskatchewan Winter Games and then went on to the Canada Winter Games in Cornerbrook, Nfld. There are a number of proud Saskatchewan Games alumni who have made it all the way to the Olympics or Paralympics. Rio 2016 Paralympics

• Erica Gavel, Wheelchair Basketball | 2004 Saskatchewan Summer Games (Basketball) • Miranda Bilteski, Wheelchair Rugby | 2004 Saskatchewan Summer Games (Swimming)

Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games • Lucas Makowsky, Speed Skating | 2002 Saskatchewan Summer Games (Speed Skating) • Kali Christ, Speed Skating | 2006 Saskatchewan Winter Games (Speed Skating) • William Dutton, Speed Skating | 2002 Saskatchewan Winter Games (Speed Skating) • Marsha Hudey, Speed Skating | 2002 Saskatchewan Winter Games (Speed

Skating); 2004 Saskatchewan Summer Games (Soccer) • Rudi Swiegers, Figure Skating | 2002 Saskatchewan Winter Games (Figure Skating)

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games • Lucas Makowsky, Speed Skating | 2002 Saskatchewan Summer Games (Speed Skating) • Colleen Sostorics, Hockey | 1996 Saskatchewan Summer Games (Athletics)

Beijing 2008 Paralympics • Lisa Franks, Wheelchair Basketball | 1994 Saskatchewan Winter Games (Alpine Skiing)

Beijing 2008 Olympic Summer Games • Jake Wetzel, Rowing | 1994 Saskatchewan Winter Games (Cross Country Skiing) • Frazer Will, Judo | 1998 Saskatchewan Winter Games (Judo) • James Avery, Baseball | 2000 Saskatchewan Summer Games (Baseball)

Turin 2006 Olympic Winter Games • Colleen Sostorics, Hockey | 1996 Saskatchewan Summer Games (Athletics) • Amy Nixon, Curling | 1994 Saskatchewan Winter Games (Curling) • Kerry Simpson, Speed Skating | 1994 Saskatchewan Winter Games (Speed Skating) • Kristal Myers, Speed Skating | 1992 Saskatchewan Summer Games (Cycling)

Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games • Colleen Sostorics, Hockey | 1996 Saskatchewan Summer Games (Athletics) • Don Walchuk, Curling | 1982 Saskatchewan Winter Games (Curling)

Nagano 1998 Olympic Winter Games • Sandra Schmirler, Curling | 1976 Saskatchewan Summer Games (Swimming)

Atlanta 1996 Olympic Summer Games • Gina Smith, Equestrian | 1976 Saskatchewan Summer Games (Equestrian) • Carey Nelson, Athletics | 1980 Saskatchewan Summer Games (Athletics)

Seoul 1988 Olympic Summer Games • James Rozon, Gymnastics | 1978 Saskatchewan Winter Games (Gymnastics) • Carey Nelson, Athletics | 1980 Saskatchewan Summer Games (Athletics)

Calgary 1988 Olympic Winter Games • Dennis Lawrence, Cross Country Skiing | 1982 Saskatchewan Winter Games (Cross

Country Skiing)

There have been over 20,000 athletes who have experienced the competition and the excitement generated at the Saskatchewan Games since 1972. You are now part of the legacy of the Games. GAMES HOST COMMUNITIES Here is a listing of host communities for the Saskatchewan Games program since its inception in 1972. Each of these communities has been very successful in hosting this major event, and the same is expected of North Battleford for these 2018 Saskatchewan Winter Games. Saskatchewan Summer Games Saskatchewan Winter Games 1972 Moose Jaw 1974 North Battleford 1976 Swift Current 1978 Moose Jaw 1980 Estevan 1982 Prince Albert 1984 North Battleford 1986 Yorkton 1988 Melfort 1990 Melville 1992 Prince Albert 1994 Kindersley 1996 Moose Jaw 1998 Nipawin 2000 Yorkton 2002 Humboldt 2004 Weyburn 2006 Melfort 2008 Lloydminster 2010 Moose Jaw 2012 Meadow Lake 2014 Prince Albert 2016 Estevan 2018 North Battleford

GAMES AWARDS Joe Griffiths Trophy This trophy, named after Saskatchewan Hall of Famer and former Canadian Olympic track team coach Joe Griffiths, is awarded to the District showing the most improvement from their final standing at previous Saskatchewan Games, with the comparison being made on a winter-to-winter and summer-to-summer basis. Team South West Placings for Joe Griffiths Trophy:

1976 4th 1984 8th 1992 1st 2000 5th 2008 1st 2016 5th

1978 1st 1986 4th 1994 3rd 2002 8th 2010 2nd 1980 4th 1988 7th 1996 2nd 2004 8th 2012 7th 1982 8th 1990 3rd 1998 3rd 2006 2nd 2014 6th

Games Flag The Games Flag is awarded to the District which accumulates the most sport points during the competition week. Every position and point earned by each and every athlete (except fill athletes) of Team South West contributes to our overall performance and to our final standing, not just medals. The Games are a total team effort and each individual’s performance is important. Team South West Placings for the Games Flag:

1972 3rd 1980 2nd 1988 7th 1996 2nd 2004 5th 2012 3rd

1974 3rd 1982 5th 1990 5th 1998 2nd 2006 5th 2014 4th

1976 3rd 1984 4th 1992 4th 2000 4th 2008 4th 2016 4th

1978 3rd 1986 5th 1994 4th 2002 8th 2010 4th