Started as a way to promote sports to everyone in this half of the province regardless of age or ability, the Southern Alberta Summer Games opened registration for its 50th annual event Tuesday.
Medicine Hat and Cypress County’s regional directors haven’t been around nearly that long, but they know first-hand how important the Games – which will take place in Pincher Creek July 3-6 – are.
“The first summer games was actually hosted in Pincher Creek (in 1970), so we’re going back to our roots,” said Cypress director Meaghan Morter, who competed in swimming at the Games in prior years. “They were super fun. Honestly, it was one of the best swim meets I attended, so it’s interesting to be on the other side of it, to see the work that goes in to it, and to give back.”
Morter and Hat director Amanda Andrew are both in their first year as directors. They’re already talking about the possibility of a swim relay team made up entirely of regional directors.
“I’m hoping to have fun with it too,” said Andrew. “I also competed as a swimmer, we swam together actually, so I’m excited to share my experiences and get people together.”
With 27 competitions to choose from – and that includes non-athletic options cribbage, quilting and photography – there’s literally something for everyone at the all-inclusive Games. Popular options are track and field, swimming and the running and cycling races, then there’s team sports (soccer, baseball, basketball, ball hockey and beach volleyball), shooting, equestrian and others. New this year are darts and the return of CrossFit and canoeing, but the best bet to find the list of sports is to visit the Games website (southernalbertasummergames.com) and click on schedules, then sport schedules. The website’s competitions menu doesn’t currently show all of the correct sports as of press time Thursday.
Both directors encourage participants to register as soon as possible, as the deadline is June 7. Andrew is set up at the Family Leisure Centre while Morter’s is at the county office in Dunmore.
“With the whole 50th anniversary I’m hoping that it’ll attract more numbers,” said Andrew, noting Medicine Hat’s team has averaged above 200 in recent years.
“The main thing is to have fun with it, especially being the first year that I’m doing this,” added Morter.
One other new aspect of the special anniversary is the Heart of a Champion distinction. One person – athlete or not – will be selected per region to lead their respective teams into the opening ceremony July 3. Those nominations are due by May 30.
