Students ready for 44th Polar Games

Grade 6 students across the territory will compete in the 44th Polar Games in Whitehorse on Thursday and Friday.

Grade 6 students across the territory will compete in the 44th Polar Games in Whitehorse on Thursday and Friday.

About 300 students from 18 Yukon schools will participate in the Games, which will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Students from Atlin, B.C., will also attend.

The fun event sees students from different schools mixed to create teams. There are no awards given.

Sports include soccer, handball, basketball, curling and bowling, and will see events occur simultaneously at the Canada Games Centre, Mad Trapper Alleys and the Whitehorse Curling Club.

“It’s fun, and I have a real soft spot for the communities in the territory,” said longtime organizer Dave Stockdale. “I always want to get them involved in activities.”

The Games used to cater to high school students, and then both Grade 5 and 6 students, but this year is the first year it will be a Grade 6 only affair.

“The numbers have gone down from 650 to just about 300,” said Stockdale. “These kids are still enamoured by just fun.”

Opening ceremonies will occur at 8:30 Thursday morning at the Canada Games Centre.

Stockdale is looking for parent volunteers to help supervise students at the Canada Games Centre, as well as basketball referees. Anyone interested can call him at 668-3358.