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Hot on the heels of a spectacular showing in a fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympics, Canada’s women's 3X3 basketball team are back and in the province this weekend for a special first-time event in Saskatoon. Page Crozon and teammates Katherine and Michelle Plouffe and Kacie Bosch take to the court in Saskatoon's first ever XYE Urban Games.
The inaugural games are hosted by Discover Saskatoon, and they are the brainchild of another well-known Saskatchewan 3X3 basketball player and supporting advocate, explains Stephanie Clovechok, CEO of Discover Saskatoon.
The Games are an idea that was brought to us by Michael Linklater, local community member from Thunderchild First Nation. He's a world renowned 3X3 basketball player, and he was invited by FIBA to speak at the World Urban Games in 2019 in Budapest. When he came home, he brought this concept to us at Discover Saskatoon, really emphasizing that he felt we had the capacity to host something like this to really profile the incredible amount of urban sport, art and culture that exists here in Saskatoon and in Saskatchewan.”
Humboldt native Crozon was instrumental in the success of the 3X3 women's team in Paris with her trademark drive and determination, and spectacular long-range accuracy. In fact, the team garnered considerable attention for the sport, and Clovechok was delighted to have the squad anchor Saskatoon's first foray into competitive urban sports.
“How proud we are to be welcoming Paige Crozon home to Saskatchewan. And of course, this is meaningful for you folks and Humboldt especially, given that that's her hometown and three street basketball is really gaining in popularity. I think it's probably the speed, it's the intensity. It is the way that these teams have to play together, and as we saw in the Olympics, every second matters in 3X3 basketball.”
Alongside the main event, featuring 8 international teams, is a local 3x3 basketball tournament that could well showcase the next generation of emerging stars.
While crowds are expected to flock to the basketball courts in Victoria Park, there are numerous other urban sports, that have been steadily gaining popularity in North America, being highlighted. Clovechok refers to the events as ‘new generation sports’, a high octane mix of endeavours gathering worldwide, and in some cases Olympic attention.
“In Victoria Park, all happening within the same space, we will have eight different urban sports. Think spike ball, dodgeball, rock climbing, futsal, skateboarding, and break dancing competitions. What's really cool is that we really saw these urban sports get a bit of profile during the Olympics. You know, this is the first time that I've really seen break dancing get so much attention and so really excited to see those sports going on.”
At the same time, on the adjacent South Saskatchewan River, the organizers are hosting the Wakeboard National Competitions, all viewable in the same area. Also featured at the YXE Urban Games is a strong arts and cultural component, Clovechok explains.
“The art component is really the expression of the Saskatoon spirit coming to life. I think that for us as Discover Saskatoon, this is really our role in this Community to create a platform and a stage for the excellence in our community to come forward and be celebrated on the global stage. So, we'll be having live mural paintings and art battles; there are art installations that have been created that are interactive that community members and families can interact with and play with. We’re really excited to see a number of the performances that are going to be happening.”
A key facet is inclusion of Indigenous performance and artistry which keeps in step with diversity and the spirit and heart of treaties.
The event kicks off on Friday at 10 am in Saskatoon’s Victoria Park. Events all day Friday are free for the public. Everyone is invited to give a welcome home to Paige and her Olympic teammates at the event.
More details are available on the YXE Urban Games Website.
Enjoy our full conversation with Discover Saskatoon’s Stephanie Clovechok.