Fédération du Sport Francophone de l'Alberta (FSFA) brought their 25th edition of Alberta Francophone Games to the Lac La Biche region over the weekend. The Games are a competition that brings hundreds of young Albertan Francophone athletes from age 13-18 together from across the province.
Around 475 participants from nine different zones throughout Alberta competed in various sports and arts competitions. The weekend events also welcomed more than 150 volunteers, coaches, referees, organization committee and markers to the area.
Competitions
At venues throughout the region over the weekend, a number of sports were played, including basketball, volleyball, soccer, ball hockey, badminton, an ultimate frisbee. Artistic competitions were also held, in the fields of music, visual arts and improvisational skills.
Ball hockey, basketball and volleyball were played at the Bold Center, while soccer and ultimate frisbee were played at the Knights of Columbus soccer fields. Kinball — a unique game originating in Quebec in the 1980s that sees three teams compete to catch and control a 48-in diameter ball — was being played at the Portage College's gym. A badminton completion took place at the Light of Christ School gym, while all the arts events were hosted at J. A. Williams high school.
Zones
The different zones were categorized by different regions within Alberta. Zone 1— blue —was Airdrie, Brooks, Canmore, Cochrane, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Okotoks. Zone 2 -— yellow — was Beaumont, Canmore, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Red Deer, Sylvan Lake and Wainwright. Zone 3 — orange — was Calgary. Zone 4 — red —was Edson, Hinton, Jasper, Legal, Morinville, Spruce Grove, St. Albert and Stony Plain. Zone 5 — dark green — consisted of Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Lac La Biche, LLoydminster, Plamondon, St. Paul and Vegreville. Zone 6 — navy blue — had Edmonton and Sherwood Park area. Zone 7 — light green — was Athabasca and Fort McMurray. Zone 8 — black — consisted of areas including Donnely, Fairview, High Prairie, Falher, Girouxville, Peace River and Valleyview. Grande Prairie and Whitecourt were zone 9 - with athletes in burgundy.
First time in Lac La Biche
Yann Gingras is the president of the Board of Directors with FSFA. While speaking with the POST, he was grateful to have Lac La Biche as this year's hosting community. Even though they have been in the area before — the Games were hosted in Plamondon in 2014, — it's the organizations first time bringing the events to Lac La Biche, says Gingras.
"We had beautiful weather ... The facilities were amazing... We were in Plamondon 4-5 years ago so, not the first time in the area, but the first time in Lac La Biche... It all went amazing. People were amazing and everything was amazing. So, definitely we are looking forward to come back here. It's beautiful here," said Gingras.
The Francophone Games hit the national stage next year — as they are every three years. The National Francophone Games will be hosted in Victoria, BC starting July 14 to July 18.
At this year's provincials, Zone 5 team from the Lac La Biche, Plamondon and Lakeland area did will in the competition earning four silver medals and three golds.
Winners
Mixed Basketball
Bronze — Zone 9, Silver — Zone 6, Gold — Zone 8
Women's Basketball
Bronze — Zone 8, Silver — Zone 9, Gold — Zone 6
Men's Basketball
Bronze — Zone 1, Silver — Zone 9, Gold — Zone 6
Women's Badminton
Bronze — Zone 9, Silver — Zone 8, Gold — Zone 5
Men's Badminton
Bronze — Zone 7, Silver — Zone 9, Gold — Zone 1
Mixed Soccer
Bronze — Zone 4, Silver — Zone 5, Gold — Zone 9
Kinball
Bronze — Zone 8, Silver — Zone 6, Gold — Zone 5
Ultimate Frisbee (Juniors)
Bronze — Zone 6, Silver — Zone 8, Gold — Zone 8 (team 2)