Strathmore wins bids to host two sets of provincials

Times Reporter

 

After a few successful bids Strathmore High School, SHS, will be hosting multiple championships this year. First up will be the ASAA badminton provincials taking place May 6 and 7. 

“I think we’ll be able to host a good event, because unlike many provincials that are quite spread out around various towns, Strathmore actually has the facilities that we can hold all of our games and matches very much within the town,”   said Kenton Zandee, coordinator for the event and coach. 

Coaches and parents shouldn’t ever be more than five minutes away from any court, which will be beneficial with so many games taking place. Zandee said this is the first time Strathmore has hosted the provincials. Unfortunately, hosting provincials doesn’t mean the team is guaranteed a spot to play in it. 

“It is very possible we would be hosting provincials for everyone else in the province but us,” said Zandee.  

He said if you’re a singles player, then the top two players from your zone go on. But for doubles and mixed doubles, only the top team goes. Zandee said you could be an excellent team, but if you finish second you won’t see provincials.  

Badminton practice started for the team at the beginning of February and will continue until the first weekend of May. The SHS annual tournament will take place on March 26, and the Feather Tournament will take place during the April 1st weekend, where kids and adults will be seen on the courts. 

SHS is also going to be the proud host of the 2011 ASAA Provincial Rugby Championship. The Spartans rugby team will be hosting the championship at the Calgary Rugby Union June 10 – 11. 

“The requirements are three to four fields in the same location so that’s why we couldn’t host it in town. Because we don’t have a facility like that anywhere,” said coach and coordinator Jerry Flaws. 

He said he tried to split it up to be able to host one field here in town but was told he couldn’t do it. The championship is split into four divisions, two girls and two boys teams, and will consist of 32 teams altogether. Just like badminton, the host team is not guaranteed a spot in the championships. Flaws said he is actually trying to change that rule and is currently going through the process to do just that. He said they are struggling to get hosts. He added, if they let the host team play in it, they might get more people stepping up to host it.  

“They don’t necessarily qualify, it would just be a great exposure to the sport,” said Flaws. 

Rugby practice will begin approximately March 1, and lasts until June 10, if the team goes to provincials. Flaws said they are still looking for people interested in trying out for the team, and to contact him or coach Brad Steele.