The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The opening ceremonies for the 32nd Frontier Games on Wednesday in the Frontier Collegiate gym were much like that of the Turin Olympics. The only difference was there was less hoopla, but plenty of speeches, including, Flin Flon Bombers defenceman Bradey Fidierchuk, who competed in the games. Thirty-four of 41 schools are participating in the games that include floor hockey, basketball, trapsetting and table tennis among others. A new sport introduced is archery for small schools that don't have enough students for team sports. Five schools are involved in archery. Heather Lowe, health, wellness, and physical education coordinator for Frontier Schools Division, believes what makes the Frontier Games special is the number of students involved-350 and the introduction of archery. She also believes it's special because it's starting after the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy have ended. "One ends, one begins," Lowe said. "It keeps the spirit going." While the kids compete, Lowe believes the most important thing they take from the experience is making friends. For some, it's the first time out of their community. "It builds self-confidence and self-esteem," she said. "Kids get to know each other and it brings people together." This is the reason the Frontier Games were introduced back in 1974. It has brought kids from isolated areas together for the fun of sport. Each child that competes in the games can build their friendships over five years. While winning is something that takes place at the games, it's on the back burner. "We celebrate everybody's win," Lowe said with a smile. "It (the games) broadens their world and strengthens their character."
