(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

XPLORE SPORT DAY

Rising Sport Star Awards given out at 5th annual Xplore Sport Day

May 26, 2019 | 2:08 PM

From tai chi to football, to tennis and quidditch, Red Deerians young and old tried out all kinds of different activities Sunday at the fifth annual ‘Xplore’ Sport Day.

The event took place downtown at Servus Arena as well as across the street at Rotary Park and the Red Deer Tennis Club.

On top of the litany of fun things to do, Mayor Tara Veer was on hand to give out the annual Rising Sport Star Awards, which go to athletes 11-years-old or younger who participate in a local sport organization and have displayed commitment, passion and effort, or who have overcome adversity.

Members of the Exelta Gymnastics Club show off their best work at Xplore Sport Day. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

“We have been very strong in our message that sport building is community building, and our rising stars are really how we build a community. We just want to appreciate the kids and youth who are being honoured here today,” Veer said, recalling her childhood experience with sports.

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“I really did not play sports. I was a bit of a bookworm, but I did have a gym teacher (at River Glen School) who invested in me at a very young age,” she said, speaking of Judy Van Hyfte, a two time Mayor’s Recognition Award winner in 1994 and 1996 for her accomplishments in speed skating and martial arts.

“I always really struggled in gym and one day she said to me ‘Tara, it’s just in your head, and if you decide that you want to become a runner, you can become a runner.’ I’ve been a runner ever since.”

Chloe Walokoff, 10, received a Rising Sport Star award on Sunday during Xplore Sport Day for her commitment to the game of soccer. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

Veer also applauded all the sports organizations who do the legwork to make opportunities available for citizens.

One of Sunday’s award recipients was Chloe Walokoff, a soccer player with the Red Deer Renegades U11 squad.

“I feel amazing, special, like I belong on my team,” said the assistant captain who earlier in the day had the mayor sign the cast on her broken arm, an injury which occurred playing soccer.

“I love to be active, to be outside and I love playing sports with the people I love. I have a dream that I want to be in the Olympics, but I don’t know if that’ll happen.”

Never say never, Chloe.

Other award recipients on Sunday include:

-Antoni Rossi, Isla Sawula – freestyle skiing

-Corey Ovie, Jessica MacKay, Elizabeth Levers – figure skating

-Kyana MacGregor, Addison McMahon, Emilie Saringo, Neveah Hope – ringette

-Benjamin Kuntz, Jeremiah Kutuadu, Sofia Fedotova, Polina Babkina – tennis

-Brodie Penninga, Naomi Schmitt – cross country skiing

-Jude Cortiula, Chloe Walokoff, Alexis Sibbet, Paxton Gallant – soccer

-Hanna Weldon, Makena Victor, Dalton Powell, Finley Waddle, Rhett Becher, Ava Little Child – swimming

-Raylee Denton, Kassidee Weimer, Hayze Anderson, Tayler Strueby, Ysabel Blain – artistic swimming

-Marcus Brown – football

-Alec James Jasmin, Mikayla Del Roscio, Ryder Holyk – karate

-Bennett Love – golf

-Tanner Jeanveau, Cole Jeanveau – jiu jitsu

-Nicholas Pelz, Bracken Hillman, Logan Hval – fencing

More information about the organizations who participated in Xplore Sport Day is on The City’s website.