For four days athletes from around the region were in Clarenville last week to participate in the fourth annual Vista Regional Games.
From all reports the sporting extravaganza was another success.
John Pickett has served as chair of all four games. He says this year’s games went over extremely well.
Eight sports were featured over the four days including basketball, soccer, swimming, ball hockey, beach volleyball, bowling, softball cross-country running and track.
Registration numbers exceeded the 250 mark. However, games chair Pickett says the participation numbers for the individual sports exceeded previous years.
“We had approximately 100 take in the swimming event. We had about 75 take part in softball and another 75 take part in ball hockey. Soccer had nearly 80 participants,” he says.
“These games certainly lived up to it’s intent in providing an opportunity for individuals to participate and have fun.”
That was evident at each of the venues as athletes finished one event and were gearing up to play another sport.
While there were medals presented to the top three finishers in each of the events, the Vista Regional Games was more about participation.
Neil Norcott coached a boys’ softball team at the games. While his team didn’t place in the top three, they did have a lot of fun.
“These games are not just about winning,” says Norcott. “The provincial government didn’t give the town of Clarenville and CARA $10,000 to put together all-star teams for this event. That’s not what this is about. It’s more about getting a group of boys and girls together to go out and play a particular sport and have fun with it.
“Many of the participants took advantage of the schedule to take in as many of the sports as possible. It’s great,” he says.
For the first time the 20 plus athletes participating in track events got the opportunity to run on a real track. Pickett hopes to see participation in this event to see plenty of growth in the future.
“Having a dedicated track to hold this type of event can only mean we will see more and more people take up the sport,” says the chair.
Sports organizations benefit
While the regional games are about providing athletes the opportunity to come together in a friendly atmosphere to compete and have fun, they also provide a benefit to sports organizations.
“Some of the sports organizations received some much needed equipment as a result of these games being hosted in Clarenville,” says Pickett. “Those involved in cross-country running, and in particular track, received stop watches, a starters pistol and batons used for relay events. So it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Volunteer support
The success of the regional games is the result of the work done by the games coordinator and each of the eight sports coordinators for the various sports, explains Pickett. Volunteer support also goes a long way to ensure the success of the games.
“Our coordinator Jalen Blackmore did a great job in the weeks leading up to the games getting everything in place. As well a lot of kudos goes out to each of the sports coordinators for their time and effort over the four days of the games.
“However, without the volunteer support of parents and interested individuals these games would not be possible,” he says. “Once again the parents came through to help out when they could and the committee would like to thank them for their support. Because without the parents and friends bringing the kids to each of the sports they would never be the success they area year after year.”
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