La Loche Volleyball Player Honoured At Gala

Thursday, March 17, 2005 at 16:00

 

 

About 400 people were on hand last night in Saskatoon to watch a northerner walk home with the 2004 Saskatchewan Young Male Athlete of the Year Award.

 

17-year-old Alwyn Piche of La Loche defeated two other nominees to lay claim to the honour.

 

The Clearwater River Dene band member thanked his parents and home community for helping him gain the honour.

 

He says his success as a La Loche Lakers’ volleyball player wouldn’t have been possible without having firm roots under his feet.

 

Piche has been a frequent all-star at both the La Loche school and his new high school in Prince Albert.

 

Piche recently won a gold medal at the Volleyball Canada National Team Challenge, where he was also named MVP.

 

He hopes to play university volleyball in the future, but for now will simply focus on getting better.

 

Meanwhile, the woman who presented Piche with the award says she can’t be prouder of him or his accomplishments.

 

Cumberland MLA and Minister of Culture, Youth and Recreation Joan Beatty says much of the credit goes to his home community of La Loche — which is quickly gaining a reputation of producing some elite athletes.

 

She adds northern Saskatchewan’s profile as a cultivator