Saskatchewan Athlete Of The Year Awards

Posted by Matthew Gourlie on February 14, 2013

Sask Sport Inc. is the umbrella organization for amateur sport in the province. Each year Sask Sport comes together with members of the sporting community, as well as the media, to select a group of individuals and teams from across the province to vie for their annual Sask Sport Awards. This year the competition for these accolades was as close as ever, thanks to the fact that our province continues to produce world-class caliber participants.

The list of 2012 nominees was one of the most outstanding we have ever seen and included the best of the best from around the province not only in terms of athletes, but coaches, officials and volunteers as well. 2012 also included two key individuals who have contributed in major way to the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame and we wish to provide them some special recognition for their achievements.

Saskatoon’s Marg Tosh, has been an honoured member of the Saskatchewan Sports Hall Of Fame (SSHF) since 1978 and has played a major part in Canadian athletics history. Among her accomplishments, Tosh set a new Canadian open record in javelin at the Canadian Olympic trials in Hamilton, 1956. The record throw of 145’5” (44 m 32.3 cms) stood until 1964. Margaret competed in the Olympics at Melbourne, Australia in 1956. In 1957, at the Western Canada Championships, Margaret set a new provincial native record in javelin at 141 feet, 7 ½ inches (43 m 16.7 cms). She also finished first in the shot put. At the Commonwealth Games Trials in 1958, Marg placed first in javelin. A big congratulations goes out to her for being named 2012 Master Athlete of the Year for her continued success in athletics.

Kaylyn Kyle, also of Saskatoon, was the recipient of the Female Athlete of the Year award thanks to her performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Kaylyn was an integral part of the Canadian Women’s Soccer team who brought home the country’s first ever medal in the sport of Women’s Soccer and no doubt has set the stage for ongoing success in that arena. Earlier this year Kaylyn took time out of her busy schedule to come to the SSHF, sign autographs, take photos and inspire the youth of our province to chase their dreams no matter how big they may seem.

Of course, like Kaylyn many names on this list are still actively involved in sport and as such they are not currently eligible for induction into the SSHF. This does not mean, however, that they and numerous others may not someday have a home with us. The work they are putting in now is the hard part, after that they are welcome to be nominated for induction and a permanent place among the best in Saskatchewan sports history. The first step in that direction is of course nomination, which we welcome at any time and information on the subject can be found right here.

For the time being, we will enjoy the accomplishments of all of these athletes and builders as they continue to shape the face of sport in Saskatchewan for years to come. Below is a list of all this year’s winner and we at the Sask Sports Hall Of Fame would like to send a heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of them.

2012 Master Athlete of the Year
Marg Tosh, 75, Saskatoon, Athletics

2012 Youth Male Athlete of the Year
Jarret Kenke, 18, Saskatoon, Canoe Kayak

2012 Youth Female Athlete of the Year
Katelyn Lehner, 17, Prince Albert, Athletics – Heptathlon

2012 Male Athlete of the Year
Kelly Wiebe, 23, Regina, Athletics

2012 Female Athlete of the Year
Kaylyn Kyle, 24, Saskatoon, Soccer

2012 Team of the Year
Saskatoon Hilltops, Saskatoon, Football

2012 Volunteer Awards
Errol Berenbaum, Saskatoon, Canoe Kayak Saskatchewan
Elan Paluck, Regina, Saskatchewan Baton Twirling Association

2012 Coach of the Year Award
Tom Sargeant, Saskatoon, Football Saskatchewan

2012 Coach Dedication Award – Male
Brendan Curson, Saskatoon, Canoe Kayak Saskatchewan

2012 Coach Dedication Award – Female
Myra Kirk, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Baton Twirling Association

2012 Official Award – Male
Ken McArton, Dilke, Saskatchewan Curling Association

2012 Official Award – Female
Brenda O’Connor, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Athletics

-Winners list courtesy of Sask Sport Inc.

Kaylyn Kyle Appearance : Video Recap

Posted by Matthew Gourlie on November 14, 2012

It has been a busy couple of months for Kaylyn Kyle since returning from the London Olympics where she helped her team and our country capture a bronze medal; our first medal of any color in the history of the sport. It has been a whirlwind not only in terms of the demands on her time, as media outlets, fans and sponsors all want a piece of her but also emotionally as she has admittedly had little time to allow what has happened to really sink in.

She has however had a few fleeting moments where should let her guard down, be herself and truly enjoy life after the games, and many of those moments have come at home back here in Saskatchewan. Between appearances all over the country and abroad with trips back and forth from here to Los Angeles becoming common, Kaylyn has said that spending time with family and friends has been the best way to enjoy the success she has seen.

Recently she stopped by the Hall of Fame to sign autographs and take photos with fans on a grassroots level, many of whom play in the very same programs as Kaylyn did growing up. It was interesting to see how the star athlete interacted with fans in Regina and it was also great to see just how much everyone involved really did enjoy the experience.

The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame was able to have a couple of cameras on hand for the event, and in the process captured some hands on footage of what the day was really all about for Kaylyn and her fans alike. Enjoy the video as we take look back on the morning of October 20th, when fans from across southern Saskatchewan came together to honor one of our great young athletes. Also be on the lookout for more great events and content to come from the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

Kaylyn Kyle Autograph Signing At SSHOF : Presented By Mitchell Developments Ltd

Posted by Matthew Gourlie on October 10, 2012

As is the case with every Olympic Games our country partakes in, there was much accomplished with much left to be desired. One of the sports showcased at the games however seemed to be the perfect combination of both desire and accomplishment brought together in way that has brought pride to this country like few things before it.

When our Women’s Soccer team took to the pitch at the start of the games, little was known about how they would fair, yet expectation was high as they went into the London games as potentially the most skilled squad this country has ever assembled. Throughout the tournament there was controversy, struggle and success and through it all the team managed to maintain the composure and positive attitude that our entire nation has become famous for.

During the course of the games, stories began to unfold and the spotlight started to shine on a few of the team’s standouts from different parts of the country. One such standout just so happens to be Saskatchewan’s very own Kaylyn Kyle who, during this Olympics helped to place both Women’s soccer and this province on one of the highest stages it has ever seen.

As most people are now aware the team went on to capture a bronze medal, giving Canada it’s first ever podium finish in the sport. Since the closing of the games there has been a whirlwind of media attention surrounding not only Kaylyn, but the team in it’s entirety and upon returning home there has been little if anything to slow the momentum of anyone associated with this incredible accomplishment.

But Kaylyn, like most Canadian athletes, will never forget the people, or the place that helped her reach her goals and has been constantly giving back to the sporting community of Saskatchewan. Now in celebration of everything she has done, this rising star is being honored by the Saskatchewan Sports Hall Of Fame with an autograph signing and photo opportunity for friends and fans in the Regina area.

On October 20th, from 10AM to 12 Noon Kaylyn will be at the Hall, located at 2205 Victoria Ave, in Regina where she will be taking time to talk and sign autographs for everyone attending the event. There will also be a photographer on hand taking pictures at a cost of $5/each (cash only) for anyone who would like to mark this occasion with a personalized memento.

Come and go as you please from the event, and feel free to stay as long as you like to take in all the great information and history that The Saskatchewan Sports Hall Of Fame has to offer.

We would like to thank all of our amazing sponsors for this event, Signature Graphics, sharpshooter photography, Designer Photographic Technologies and our Presenting Sponsor Mitchell Developments Ltd. We would also like to thank the Saskatchewan Soccer Association as well as the Regina Soccer Association for their support, and look forward to seeing all of you on the 20th!

*photo credit : sharpshooter photography