Hi Everyone,
Thank you to everyone who contributed to such a successful competition on Saturday at 306 Weightlifting! Masters Provincials was a great success, with 20 different athletes breaking Provincial records across all age categories and many athletes qualifying for Provincials, Nationals (Jr/Sr/Masters), and international Masters competitions. Yesterday, the Board discussed ways to build off of the competition's success, and we look forward to hosting a Masters-only competition during the 2023-2024 season. Similarly, Junior Provincials will likely be a Youth and Junior-only competition next season. As participation and membership rise, we are looking at new ways to support the membership and create memorable experiences.
Good luck, and thank you to all our Officials, Volunteers, Coaches, Managers, and Athletes competing next week at the 2023 Saskatchewan Winter Games! It will be a blast, and I will see you there.
Announcements:
Board Changes: Thank you to everyone who expressed an interest in the open Member-at-Large position. We are excited to announce that Emma Love was selected to join the Board and will serve in the role until AGM 2023!
Volunteers Needed: Over the next few months, we plan to recruit more volunteers to help grow the SWA and expand our reach. Too often, I/we must say "no" because we don't have the capacity at the Board level. Please let me know if you are interested in any of the below-mentioned roles. We need your help!
Provincials Awards & Accreditation (Commitment: Until tasks are completed): Dwayne & I are looking for someone to assist with finalizing designs & plans for individual and team awards for Provincials. We are also working on ordering a backdrop for photos and bulk lanyards with personalized cards for Athletes, Coaches, and Officials at Provincials. We know roughly what we want and have received quotes/mock-ups, but we are looking for another set of eyes to help make sure we nail it. This is a very short-term commitment, and designs need to be finalized ASAP.
Social Media (Commitment: Variable): We are looking for 1-2 people to help promote upcoming events, highlight training centres and athletes, and improve our presence on Instagram and Facebook. We are also interested in having someone take over the SWA social media during Provincials to promote the event and participants.
Choose-your-own-adventure: Do you have an idea for improving the SWA and the skills to execute it? Please get in contact and let us know!
Provincials Registration: Waitlist total registration is now open! The Board decided to open registration early to this group to allow athletes to plan further in advance. Don't forget to register for the Team Competition! Lastly, 20 tickets are now available for the banquet! Please remember a ticket will be included with each athlete's registration. More Banquet tickets may become available if athlete registration does not reach capacity.
Provincials Photographer: You may have noticed a photographer at the last session of Masters Provincials on Saturday. He was there doing a trial run ahead of Sr Provincials in March, where we are planning to have a photographer take photos of all athletes that will be provided to the athletes free of charge! Keep an eye out for more details as we get closer.
2023 Western Canadian Weightlifting Championships (Nov 2023 in Winnipeg): The 1st qualifying event for Team Saskatchewan will be Senior Provincials on March 25. The May competition, Nationals (Jr/Sr/Masters), international qualifiers (E.g. Ogopogo, NA Open), international competitions (IWF/Masters), and the final qualifier in October will all be eligible.
Reminders:
Criminal Record Checks for Coaches and Volunteers (Letter): If you are due for an updated Criminal Record Check, or have not completed one, and are actively coaching, officiating, or volunteering with the SWA, please remember to complete yours and submit the letter to Dwayne (edir@saskweightlifting.com) as soon as you can. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dwayne (edir@saskweightlifting.com).
2022-2023 SWA Rankings, Certificates, & SWA Records: These are up-to-date with local results. If there are any errors or omissions, please let me know.
NCCP Competition Introduction Coaching Course: The SWA hopes to hold an NCCP Competition Introduction course soon. This will cover the theoretical and practical components of the Competition Introduction certification. If you or anyone you know are interested in becoming a Coach, please email Dwayne Dreher (edir@saskweightlifting.com) to be added to the contact list for upcoming courses. These courses may be paid for using Training Centre MAP funding.
Schedule & Qualifying Standards Updates:
Sr Provincials (Mar 25):
Registration opens for Waitlist Qualified TODAY (Achieved waitlist total): Feb 13
Registration closes: Feb 26
Late registration closes: Mar 5 (Fees: Regular fee + $100)
Reminder: All competitions (Other than the Winter Games) will be organized by entry total. Please remember to input a recent competition or training total with registration.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
All the best,
Lucas King, 2Lt. BKIN. MBA
President, Saskatchewan Weightlifting Association