University of Regina basketball Clinic Inspires Young Players in Yorkton, Exceeds Expectations
YORKTON, SK – Young basketball enthusiasts in Yorkton and surrounding areas received a critically important boost to their skills progress this past Saturday, thanks to a clinic hosted by players from the University of Regina women’s basketball team. The event, organized by local parents, drew an notable turnout, exceeding initial projections and demonstrating a growing passion for the sport in the region.
The initiative stemmed from a desire to provide more opportunities for girls in Grades 6-8 to continue playing basketball beyond the school season. Darcy Zaharia, a key organizer and father of a young player, explained, “We wanted to give them more,” leading to the creation of a club program that extends play into the spring months. In its inaugural year, the club engaged in competitive matches against the preeceville Express and participated in regional tournaments.
While pursuing the possibility of hosting a full university game at Yorkton Regional high School – a project still in development with Roby Sharpe – Zaharia proactively reached out to the University of Regina Cougars. The coach enthusiastically agreed to send players to lead a skills clinic.
A SaskSport grant helped bring the clinic to fruition, and the response was overwhelming. Organizers initially anticipated 50 participants, but ultimately registered over 75 young athletes. “That’s more than enough for the gym,” Zaharia noted, highlighting the broad regional interest, with attendees travelling from communities like Kelvington, Preeceville, and even across the border into Manitoba.
Beyond the technical skills taught, the clinic offered something arguably more valuable: role models. “The girls have someone to look up to,” Zaharia emphasized, recalling the impact a visit from Saskatchewan Roughrider Bobby jurasin had on him as a child. “I wanted to be bobby Jurasin for football.”
The hope is that this exposure will inspire the young players to continue pursuing their basketball dreams, both within their school programs and through club participation. The University of Regina clinic wasn’t just about drills and plays; it was about igniting a passion and showing these young athletes what’s possible.
Keywords: Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Basketball, University of Regina cougars, Youth Sports, SaskSport, Clinic, Role Models, Women’s Basketball, Sports Development.
