NAIG 2014 Profiles: Rylee Cyr
- Creeson Agecoutay | May 20, 2014
With the 2014 North American Indigenous Games in Regina two months away, Indigenous youth from across North America are training hard to compete in the sports that they love. If there is one thing to say about these athletes, they are very hard working young leaders of tomorrow. Not only are they involved in sports and their education but many of them are working part-time jobs. Here are just a handful of athletes that I had the privilege to talk to.
RYLEE CYR
AGE: 16
RESERVE: PASQUA FIRST NATION
SPORT: BASEBALL
First playing baseball for his grandfather at the age of seven, Rylee Cyr says he enjoys the family sport every summer.
"Since I can remember, I have been throwing the ball all my life. I started off in T-ball, when I was a little squirt."
The sport has taken him across Saskatchewan, including a tournament in British Columbia, as he has played for numerous teams in Saskatchewan, like the Pasqua Athletics, the Neudorf Red Sox and Ochapowace Thunder.
"It's a team sport. You have to have your big shots and team players, that's why I like baseball so much."
When asked what NAIG means to him, he says, "It's an opportunity for the Aboriginal athletes to showcase what they got in the sports that they love so much. I will try and do my best for Team Saskatchewan and show off what I got and make my team proud."
His message to other youth is,
"Always be positive. Be a role model to younger kids. Try to stay clean from drugs and alcohol and be a good role model for your younger family members as well."
Be sure to check out more NAIG athlete profiles on our Interviews or Sports page.