The Parkland Valley District of the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association exists to get seniors out and active, and each year a wide range of events are hosted throughout the region with this goal in mind. The SSFA is currently setting the events for the district’s 55+ games.
Maxine Stinka with the SSFA says that the goal is to promote active living and wellness among seniors, doing so by hosting a variety of events for the sake of friendly competition and socializing.
“The big thing is for seniors to remain active, both for their health and the opportunity to get out and meet people.”
There are a wide spectrum of events covered by the SSFA overall in the 55+ games, and Stinka says that there is something for everyone, and every level of ability.
“There’s everything from your very cerebral things like scrabble and kaiser to very active things like track and swimming.”
Events are held throughout the district, and Stinka says that this is part of the goal, because with a spread out district it can be difficult if the events are all held in one location.
“We find that a lot of seniors don’t want to travel great distances, so we try to spread it throughout the region wherever people are willing to host, so that we can get participation from all regions.”
Right now, while there are events scheduled, Stinka says that they are always looking for more and want to hear from anyone willing to host the games. They are constantly looking to add more events to the roster, and points to Pickleball as one event that they have been pushing to see hosted in the area, bringing in workshops to teach people about the game, though they have yet to find a host for an competition yet they hope it will be part of the event slate in the area soon.
She says that when someone hosts an event, it has benefits that go beyond the day itself, and can have a positive impact on local clubs and organizations.
“More people in the area become aware of the activity and the organization... For example, we hosted the provincial curling one year here in Canora, and now there are a lot more people who continue to participate in curling.”
The games are also a way for people to try out new activities, as it is a small time commitment for the seniors but could lead to discovering a new hobby. The SSFA games themselves are only one day, though they can also lead to competing at the provincial or national level if someone qualifies, and as a result are a way to test the waters an see if an activity is something someone wants to participate in on a regular basis.
Every second year there are provincial and national 55+ games, with the next games happening in 2016 in North Battleford provincially, and Brampton, Ontario nationally.
The first activity this year is cribbage to be held at St. Gerard’s Hall in Yorkton on April 22. Contact person is Angie at 306-783-7838. May 5, Buchanan will host Kaiser at the Club 50 Plus. Contact person is Bob at 306-592-4624. May 13, the Yorkton Bowl Arena will host bowling. Contact person is Colleen at 306-783-5183. Shuffleboard is scheduled for the Melville Senior Centre on May 20 at 10:00 a.m. and the contact is John at 306-728-3832. Those interested in writing short stories or poetry can contact Anita at 306-728-5163; mail entries to Anita Bella, Box 1044, Melville, S0A 2P0. The theme for this year is “Be Active- Just Do It!” and deadline for entries is May 19. Track and field events will be held at the Melville track on May 26 and the contact is Anita at 306-728-5163. Anyone interested in hosting an event that is not listed can contact Stinka at 306-563-5567.
Individuals interested in competing in the SSFA 55+ Games must be SSFA (Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association) members. The membership fee is $5.00 plus $2.00 administration fee for a total of $7.00 and may be obtained when you register for your first event. This year that one fee is valid for all of the activities in the district.
