By WAYNE SHIELS
The Riders haven’t been the only Green and White team putting up big wins in Regina.
Football Canada awarded Regina the 2024 U16 Western Challenge Cup and 2024 Football Canada Cup events starting July 1 and ending July 13. This allowed the Saskatchewan U16 and U18 teams a chance to defend their titles in their home province.
The Under 16 (U16) Western Challenge featured teams from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia competing to be the best in the west.
Saskatchewan has dominated this event, never losing a game since its inception; and this year’s edition was no different.
Saskatchewan cruised to its fourth straight championship title on July 6 at Leibel Field in Regina, defeating Manitoba 38-0 in the semi-finals and Alberta 24-0 in the championship game. British Columbia captured the bronze with a 23-8 win over Manitoba.
The gold medal win was especially sweet for several local high school football stars.
Martensville Royals receiver Dylan Sawatsky (Martensville), linebacker Jay Robertson (Langham) Bishop James Mahoney Saints Noah Bosch (Warman) and Delisle Rebels offensive lineman Jacob Schekk were among the top 40 grade 8 and 9 athletes on Team Saskatchewan.
U18 CHAMPIONSHIP
Next up is the Football Canada Cup (FCC) to be held in Regina from July 5 to 13, 2024.
This event brings together eight Under 18 (U18) teams from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia to compete for the title of National Champions.
Games were scheduled for Sunday, July 7, Wednesday, July 10, and Saturday, July 13.
The back-to-back-to-back-to-back champions Team Saskatchewan, who won the title in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023, got their quest for a five-peat off to a good start with a 36-7 win against Manitoba in game one on Sunday, July 7. Delisle’s Luke Gessell at running back and Martensville Royals defensive backs Aiden Low (Martensville), Dshawn Lewis (Warman) are among the elite playing for Team Saskatchewan.
Established in 1884, Football Canada is the national governing body of amateur football in Canada and a proud member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). Working closely with the provincial football associations, Football Saskatchewan develops programs and resources for players, coaches, and officials in the three disciplines of Tackle, Flag and Touch Football. Football Canada’s vision statement is “from playground to stadium” where players can participate in the game of football throughout a lifetime recreationally, competitively and internationally.