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REGINA - Premier Scott Moe has offered his congratulations to the Hafford Vikings on winning another provincial six-man football title.

The premier congratulated the team Monday during remarks in member’s statements in the legislature. Hafford is included in the very southern portion of Rosthern-Shellbrook, which is Moe’s constituency. Moe’s remarks also included some good-natured ribbing of Fred Bradshaw, MLA for Carrot River Valley, which was the riding of the Vikings’ opponent, the Carrot River Wildcats.

Moe’s remarks are as follows, as stated in Hansard:

“Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. After this past weekend, there’s many people across the province that are talking about football today. Mr. Speaker, in particular, the member for Carrot River Valley is a fan of football. We all know this because, one, when the Carrot River Wildcats are playing, he is sure to tell us that they are playing. I also extend my support to the Carrot River Wildcats, Mr. Speaker, with a caveat, with a caveat of on the odd occasion when they play in the 20-21 1A six-man provincial championship and when they play against the Hafford Vikings.

“Mr. Speaker, that was a game that took place this weekend. Happy to say the Hafford Vikings came out victorious with a 54-31 win. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the members of both teams, Mr. Speaker, in particular the coaching staff, starting with Cory Schmaltz and his team with the Carrot River Wildcats, Mr. Speaker, who we hear mentioned all too often in this Assembly. With the Hafford Vikings, we have Ryan Barnstable, Waylon Burton, Ollie Marciniuk, Jamie Sommerfeld. Mr. Speaker, I would just add this is the fifth time the Vikings have won the provincial title. They did it in 2019 and 2018, in 1991, 1989, and Ollie Marciniuk was there each and every time.

“Thank you first of all to the coaches. You are not just playing the game of football. You are teaching young adults that success only comes with a lot of hard work, effort, and dedication. To the parents, the volunteers of all of the schools in communities and across the province, Mr. Speaker, they are putting on a full display of what it takes for our youth to build strong communities in this province. And to the players, regardless of the score, you have already won. The memories and the friendships that you have formed are special and will stay with you for the rest of your life.

"And I would ask all members to congratulate the Hafford Vikings, but to congratulate all of the minor football teams across the province and all that makes our football teams such a success.”

Other MLAs also offered their congratulations to Saskatchewan teams that had won football titles on the weekend. Saskatoon Willowgrove MLA Ken Cheveldayoff, who is from Blaine Lake, included the Hafford Vikings in his remarks.

“And, finally, Mr. Speaker, a big congratulations to the Hafford - Blaine Lake Vikings on their six-man provincial championship. The member from Carrot River, I know his Wildcats played hard, but I think his wallet is a little lighter because of it.

“Mr. Speaker, congratulations to all the football players, coaches, parents, and fans. Football helps make Saskatchewan a great place to live.”