B Coy eclipsed the competition at the annual CAF sports day on Nov. 17, when it netted the championship titles in basketball, dodgeball and chase tag. Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News
K-J Millar
Shilo Stag News
Spirits were high at the Canadian Armed Forces annual sports day at CFB Shilo on Nov. 17, with 2PPCLI’s B Company dominating the rivals in all three competitions.
The one-day event at General Strange Hall saw twenty-four teams vie for the championship titles in basketball, dodgeball and chase tag.
Ultimately, B Coy eclipsed the other contenders with their team Moose Meat Mafia, winning against Team Care Bears to become the first CFB Shilo Chase Tag champions. Team E knocked out company adversaries Team J in dodgeball. Team H tipped the net to secure the winning title from CFB Shilo Team C to become the three-on-three basketball heroes.
“Today, spirits were high. People were laughing and joking. A lot of people were watching the basketball. This is something that we need to bring back more of for the morale piece,” Regimental Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer Eric LeClair said after finishing his seventh basketball game of the day on the team that narrowly missed the claim to the winner’s crown.
“It was a little easier when I was younger, but I feel good … One hundred percent I’m going to participate next year and hopefully, we’ll bring the basketball title home for Base Shilo,” he said.
Nine basketball teams, 12 dodgeball teams and three chase tag teams took part in the event, which took three months to plan and prepare.
The adult playday was initially scheduled to be held in October but was held over to enable maximum participation from CAF members and CFB Shilo personnel, Andy Depner, recreation and sports coordinator said.
Events like the fun day are essential to the morale with healthy competition and esprit de corps that the CAF holds as part of their values, he said.
“Sports has a really great way of bringing people together,” Depner said, adding sport benefits people physically, emotionally and socially.
“A day like this, where we can have sections compete against each other, highlights that we’re all one big team. It focuses on the fun along with the healthy competition.”
Chase tag is a new sport introduced at the sports day, where three teams participated in the round-robin competition. The rules for the CAF day were “borrowed” from the international competitions held worldwide, Depner explained.
“It’s an obstacle course, sort of a parkour-style flair to a game of tag. So we have teams and then one person from each team meets. It’s one-on-one chaser versus evader. It’s really fun.”
Dodgeball is a sport that has been blended into the activity day over the past five years with huge success and maximum participation, the sports and recreation coordinator said.
“Dodgeball would by far have the most teams that register … It’s a lot of fun. Not only do the units get to practice it during physical training (PT), but then they get to compete here at Sports Day.”
He said this year’s three-on-three basketball action allowed athletes to show off their skills and abilities.
“With three people on the court instead of five, it allowed those players to excel with the extra space. We saw great competition with really good performances from some of the young privates and corporals you haven’t seen before.”
Depner said the local tournament has highlighted the strength of players and will springboard a team to regionals.
“We’re going to try to put together a pretty strong team to go to Canada West Regionals with some of the talent we’ve seen today at this tournament.”
Watch Video: CAF sports day highlights chase tag, basketball and dodgeball
Dodgeball was a hit at the CAF Sports day at CFB Shilo on Nov. 17. Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News
Dodgeball was a hit at the CAF Sports day at CFB Shilo on Nov. 17. Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News
Some intense moves were displayed during the basketball challenge at CAF Sports day at CFB Shilo on Nov. 17. Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News