Past and Present Athletes and Coaches Gear Up for ASG 2023

The Okotoks and Black Diamond Alberta Summer Games (ASG) take place on July 20-23, 2023. Excitement is mounting for athletes, coaches, and those coming out to cheer them on.

Football Coach John Price calls the Games “brilliant.”

“The Games connect so many young athletes and coaches in many sports, who go on to build lifelong relationships. The games bring hundreds of athletes together to compete in a safe, organized, and inclusive atmosphere,” he says.

Price played soccer growing up as his parents were from Liverpool, England. American football was not something he considered until his first year of high school.

“A coach, mentor, and teacher at Oilfields at the time, Bob Zerebecki, pulled me into the sport and that’s where it began. I played football through high school in Black Diamond for the Oilfields Drillers and was fortunate to play University football at both the U of A for the Golden Bears and U of C for the Dinosaurs,” says Price. “I started coaching not long after my years of university for the Eagles Program and also periodic high school seasons until my son, Payton, started to play at 7 years old for the Atom Eagles program in the Foothills (where I coached continuously for many years after that).”

Price is an ASG alumnus from 1987 and 2014. He’s happy to add 2023 to the list.

“I was an athlete in the ASG back in 1987 playing soccer for Big Country, coached football for Big Country in 2014 when the games were in Airdrie, and now have the privilege to coach this year again for a revised Calgary and area zone for the Metro Colts.”

He adds, “The ASG are about participation, competition, and bringing so many young athletes together. They will remember this period in their life like I have. It is rewarding for not only them but for all the coaches, organizers, and volunteers who make this a celebration of sport. They will spend many days within their zones eating, training, and just having what I call ‘good times’ together.”

Nathan St. Dennis, a teacher at Ecole Secondaire Foothills Composite High School/Alberta High School of Fine Arts, and the Falcons Football Head Coach, got into sports at a young age.

“Sports, more specifically football, were a huge focus in my family growing up. I was either playing sports or watching sports. I started coaching the moment I was done playing in university, 22 years ago,” says St. Dennis.

He’s looking forward to the Games.

“As the head coach of the Falcons Football team, we are excited to host all of the football games on our field. I think what I’m most excited about is the atmosphere of such a unique sport experience that the ASG provides in our province. I am lucky to live in the community that is hosting and to have my own son playing in the Games on top of getting to coach in it, so it is exciting for me on multiple levels. I have coached in our Foothills community in multiple sports for the last 15 years, so an opportunity to host the summer games is a special opportunity to show the province the great support our community has for amateur sport.”

He continues by saying the Games “showcase and celebrate the great young athletes in our province. As much as we will see the athleticism of the athletes, we also have the opportunity to see their other great qualities of sportsmanship, hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

One such athlete is Kylie Tiedje, who played soccer in Leduc’s 2016 Games and completed the triathlon in Grande Prairie’s 2018 Games.

“I had been playing soccer competitively when I got selected to play at the Games, though I was a bit less familiar with triathlon and was mainly training and racing for fun with my family!” says Tiedje. “I was lucky enough to have qualified in a race… that I didn’t even know was a qualifying race!”

Tiedje fondly remembers participating in the Games.

“I had a very positive experience both times. The environment and community were something I will never forget, especially with soccer as it was a sport where the team spirit was really strong. I still race triathlons today and strongly believe my experience in the Games has contributed to my continued love for the sport.”

The ASG changes lives and communities in many positive ways. Get involved by planning to attend, supporting events, and volunteering. Follow the action on Facebook and Instagram.