SportFest an interactive showcase of local programs

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on June 6, 2023.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Bryson Shields fires the lacrosse ball during SportFest at Servus Sports Centre on Saturday.

Forty vendors of local sporting organizations at SportFest were showcasing their programs and offerings in the community on Saturday at the Servus Sports Centre. This event is hosted by Lethbridge Sport Council.

Vendors were showcasing to attendees through a sport interactive setting of everything from sport, recreation and fitness to health and nutrition.

One vendor was the women’s tackle football team of the Lethbridge Steel.

“For me, it’s my first team actually ever being at SportFest and so it’s cool to see everyone come out ,” said Adara Morrow, Steel board member.

“And for the Steel, we’re trying to build more visibility about women’s tackle football and people don’t realize that we have a team in Lethbridge. So bringing more people and I’m trying to bring more awareness to younger people, so then by the time that they’re at the age where they can participate at 16, then they’re interested and they already know and then they can join the minor football league as well before then. So it’s cool to see the pathway for them.”

Morrow said you can really see just like the energy of Lethbridge, and how there’s so many groups and communities here today that are all so different and diverse, but there’s so much positive energy here.

“You can really tell that there’s a lot of people here who just want to build this city and make it a great place,” said Morrow.

Lethbridge Boxing Club owner and head coach Rick Duff enjoys SportFest.

“A lot of young people come and check out sport,” said Duff.

“It’s (a) great opportunity that they can see what’s out there for sport that really interests them.”

The Boxing Club was giving people an opportunity to try basic boxing.

“And maybe that might filter their lives and come down to the boxing club and become a member of the gym,” said Duff.

Alan Hansen of the Lethbridge Amateur Wrestling Association felt as though there was a good chance people will find what their interested in at SportFest.

“(It’s) been steady, a lot of interest, and I think it really helps when you have a demonstration or something,” said Hansen.

“With us, the mat out there is showing the sport itself. Yeah, it’s that much more interesting, especially for the young ones to come. A lot of people are shy, they don’t talk, but once they see something, they’ll be more open up to do stuff.”