The North Battleford Comprehensive High School Vikings senior girls’ basketball team is the latest to join an ever-growing club in Saskatchewan.
After taking part in the Swift Current Ardens’ ‘Pink Game’ Thursday evening, the Vikings will be hosting their own fundraising game next season where they will be wearing pink uniforms that will be paid for by the Ardens.
“It turns out that we are the 19th team in the province to be involved in this,” Vikings head coach Bryan Cottini said. “It originally started a number of years ago with Al Wandler who coaches the team in Assiniboia, and it’s been growing ever since.
“It’s all about paying it forward. Swift Current invited us to be a part of their game, and they will be buying our uniforms for our fundraising game next season. We’ve already invited Prince Albert St. Mary’s to play us and we will be paying for their pink jerseys when they play their game.”
It was an emotional evening for all involved in Swift Current Thursday, as $13,630 was raised for the family of the late Rena Best.
Best, who was the manager of the Ardens’ 1985 provincial championship team, passed away recently after a lengthy battle with colon cancer.
“They brought her family out to accept the cheque at the end of the evening and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house,” Cottini said.
“We did some fundraising on our end and thought that we did a pretty good job of raising $1,200 for the evening, but the job that the community of Swift Current did was unreal. The entire community got behind the event and the gym was packed for the game, which made for a very emotional evening.”
A date for next year’s fundraising game in North Battleford has yet to be determined, though it is expected to take place in early March before the run to Hoopla begins.
“At this point, it’s a little early to know exactly where our funds will go towards, but I’m hoping to raise money for the chemotherapy ward at the Battleford Union Hospital,” Cottini said.
While the game was secondary to the fundraising event, the Vikings had a spirited battle with the Ardens as they came away with a 57-56 win.
“I really thought that the game was going to go to overtime,” Cottini said.
“We’ve played Swift Current three times this season and it’s been a great battle every time that we’ve gone against each other.”
The Vikings are now preparing for a regional final game on their home court Saturday at noon against either the Central Cyclones of Moose Jaw or Humboldt, where a berth to the provincial championships in Regina from March 24 and 25 will be on the line.
“We’re excited about be the host team for one of the regionals instead of having to rent a van once again,” Cottini said.
“We’re really peaking at the right time and I’m excited to see how will do this weekend, no matter who it is that will play.”
Central and Humboldt will square off Friday at 6 p.m.
