Fans embrace return of high school sports in Regina

There was plenty of uncertainty regarding high school athletics heading into the 2021-22 school year.

COVID-19 disrupted the 2020-21 season across the board and left many high school athletes waiting for answers. Thankfully, it has been a different story this time around.

Aaron Anderson, the commissioner of athletics for the Regina High Schools Athletic Association, said the diehard fans who have come out to watch the games have been more than phenomenal.

“Our crowds have been fantastic this year, they really have. People have embraced the return to high school sport. Being outside, the weather was conducive, so we lucked out in terms of everything,” Anderson told Thursday’s Greg Morgan Morning Show.

“I just want to thank all the people for their patience. Obviously, we’ve had to deke around all the protocols in place and we’ve had very, very few issues.”

Golf was the first sport to start and finish and did so without any bumps in the road. Anderson was quite pleased with how smooth the sport ran after a long layoff.

“Golf went really well,” he said. “We traditionally don’t run a fall program, but we wanted to get kids back into the swing of things, so to speak.

“We haven’t had (the sport) since 2019, believe it or not. We had a couple practice rounds, ran a city final and sent four kids to provincials (at) which one came home with a medal and then both our girls ended up with a bronze in the team competition.”

Cross-country was a very similar story in terms of success. Out of the 18 medals won at provincial championships, Regina athletes took home eight of them.

Provincial soccer championships are set for this weekend across the province. Saskatoon is hosting the 5A boys soccer provincials, with two teams representing the host city along with two squads from Regina.

The tournament begins with two rivalry games between the cities. Saskatoon’s Holy Cross faces Regina Riffel, while Saskatoon’s Centennial Collegiate draws Regina Campbell in the opening draw.

The 5A girls soccer provincials are being hosted in Prince Albert. Saskatoon’s Holy Cross takes on Regina Campbell in the opening round, and St. Joseph out of Saskatoon lines up against Regina Miller.

Regina Luther is the city’s lone representative at the 4A girls soccer provincials in Martensville. The Lions face Moose Jaw Vanier in their opening matchup.

Football and volleyball are wrapping up their regular seasons and gearing up for the playoffs. Football provincials are set for the Nov. 12-13 weekend, with volleyball provincials going the following weekend.