Mark Williment has been employed by the school division for nearly 30 years. (submitted photo/Mark Williment)

By Derek Cornet

accomplishment

‘A labour of love’: Williment receives provincial SHSAA award for northern football

Jun 11, 2020 | 5:05 PM

Grateful, proud and a tremendous honour are words Northern Lights School Division Superintendent of Education Mark Williment used to describe his most recent provincial award win.

He was notified Thursday he was the recipient of the North Central District Service Award from the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Assocation (SHSAA) for 2020. A tribute video was posted on the SHSAA’s Facebook page notifying the public about the honour.

“The best thing about this recognition, for me, is to know that it’s [from] two men who work in football, Gabe Andrews and Bob Coffin,” Williment said. “It’s a tremendous honour to be nominated by them because those are two individuals who themselves put their hearts into athletics and do a lot of things for young people. Their leadership is just something I’m trying to emulate, so it’s an honour to be recognized through them.”

The award is in recognition for Williment’s work launching and ensuring the continuation of the Northern Saskatchewan Football League. So far, there has been seven seasons and it has grown to include hundreds of athletes from throughout the region. Since its inception, the school division has invested heavily to launch the program and purchased sets of equipment and enhancements to several football fields.

Williment mentioned it’s nice to be receive the award, but he noted the vast majority of the work is done by coaches, officials and volunteers. Without them, he added he wouldn’t receive the recognition he has for the league.

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“It’s certainly a labour of love for me,” Williment said. “I’m proud of the work we have done and the recognition that has been giving to me in making a difference in the lives of kids.”

In the tribute video, Andrews describes Williment as someone who has the commitment for the sustainability of football in northern Saskatchewan. He said Williment’s support for football has ensured many northerners have memories about the league that will last a lifetime.

“He has provided an avenue for the youth to gain confidence, have hope for their future, connect with youth in other communities, develop sportsmanship and to show that football is more than a game,” Andrews said. “Without Mark’s leadership, guidance and taking on the role of an official, football for the youth in northern Saskatchewan would not be where it is today.”

Williment, who begins his 30^th year of service with the school division in 2021, was also honoured with a Roughrider Recognition Award in November 2019.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno