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Decorated athletes looking forward to time in Meadow Lake

Jun 15, 2018 | 5:00 PM

Two decorated athletes are excited about visiting with residents Meadow Lake at an upcoming sports dinner hosted by the local Kinsmen Club.

The event takes place tonight at 7 p.m. Former Saskatchewan Roughrider Chris Getzlaf and national wrestling champion Natasha Fox will be the keynote speakers. Both elite athletes said they’re looking forward to speaking at the dinner, and were also eager to interact with and explore the community.

Fox is one of 57 athletes across Canada who is an RBC Olympian, training for a spot on the 2020 Olympic team. The local RBC branch worked with the Kinsmen to bring her to the community, and she said she’s excited to share her message.

“One of the best parts is the questions that come after the speech,” she said. “I have a pretty good message that can be widely applied to everybody. I talk about overcoming fear and how you can use it as a tool.”

Fox also visited two local schools today, speaking to students and wrestling team members.

The recently-retired Roughrider Getzlaf has started a speaking circuit of his own. Earlier this year he participated in sports broadcaster Michael Landsberg’s #SickNotWeak mental health event in North Battleford.

“I like to work my way around, as there’s Rider fans everywhere in Saskatchewan,” Getzlaf said. “Having a presence out in areas that are a little ways away from Regina, I think, is a big deal. I’ve done a few different Kinsmen events before and the organization nothing but first class.” 

At the dinner tonight a local youth will be honoured with Athlete of the Year award and the monies raised at this year’s event will go to support after school programs at Jonas Samson Junior High. Organizer Evan Haubrich said the Kinsmen are hoping for a great turnout.

“It’s a great fundraiser,” he said. “Every year we have a circuit of schools to go around and support. Any proceeds we make off this, that’s where the money goes.”

 

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @ReporterKath