Another year, another slate full of ideas for the Yorkton Elementary School Sports Association (YESSA).
Having served one year already on the council, as vice president last year, Mark Schendel is assuming the presidency role this year.
Joining him as vice president will be Bri Borden of St. Paul's Elementary School.
Schendel, out of MC Knoll, said it's part of an annual rotation that the sports council goes through.
One member representing the Good Spirit School Division and one representing Christ the Teacher Catholic School Division.
Last year, Schendel, along with Susan Cochrane promoted YESSA sports with events such as year-end basketball and volleyball tournaments, including a volleyball event that packed both MC Knoll and St. Michael's School parking lots from early in the day to well into the night.
This year, it is Schendel's hope that they will get the exact same response, especially when he and Borden attempt to kickstart the sport of curling within the YESSA group.
"I wanted to explore some new ventures," offers an optimistic Schendel. "One of the things that came to mind was curling."
Schendel added that he sees so many adults in Yorkton curling on a nightly basis, he thought giving a bunch of little kids the chance to do the same, could pay off later on.
"Mr. Zaba from the CTTCS and Mr. Reeve from the GSSD have been both very supportive (of the endeavour)," notes Schendel.
Apparently Schendel has no doubt the kids will take well to it.
"The turnoutI'm guessing will be fantastic."
He added that all that they're looking for now are "some good coaching".
Schendel noted that icemaster Neil Weinmaster, of the Yorkton Curling Club, "was (also) eager to get on board".
Schendel told reporters at the school last week that curling will be the fourth major sport added to the list of YESSA activities.
The original three are volleyball, badminton and basketball.
"It teaches life skills," Schendel emphasized.
He said he noticed a lot of it during last year when he served as YESSA's VP.
"Just the level of playthe amount of growth.
