LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - When Rick Lesage heard about the Mackenzie Youth Summer Games he immediately wanted to sign up.

"I wanted to have fun and play all the sports," said Lesage who is from Fort Providence.

Kurtis Hardisty of Fort Simpson, right, brushes past Rob Loe of Fort Liard during the opening seconds of a play in a flag football game at the Mackenzie Youth Summer Games. Flag football was one of three sports, along with swimming and softball, featured during the weekend-long event which had over 60 youth participants - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Taking a breather during a soccer game last week Lesage, 12, said he hasn't been disappointed. Lesage was one of 64 students who participated in the summer games from July 21 to 23 in Fort Simpson.

Hosted by the Mackenzie Recreation Association, this was the 20th annual summer games and the fourth time the event has been held in Fort Simpson.

The games' purpose is to give youth the opportunity to participate in sports they don't normally have the chance to play, said Shane Thompson, the regional sport and recreation co-ordinator with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.

"It brings everybody together to have some friendship, games, have fun together and meet new and old friends," said Thompson, who was one of the organizers.

Ranging between the ages of 10 and 14, this year's participants came from Trout Lake, Whati, Dettah, Ndilo, Fort Simpson, Fort Liard, Jean Marie River and Fort Providence.

The participants' experience at the games was unique.

The games usually include six sports that everyone gets to try once.

This year only three sports were highlighted so everyone could rotate through twice and build their skill set, said Thompson.

The youth learned the basic skills and rules involved in flag football, competitive swimming and softball.

"The kids have been enjoying the opportunity," he said.

Nathan McPherson, the village's recreation director, said he was pleased with the event's success.

"It's been really good," said McPherson who also helped organize the event.

In addition to the three core games, participants were also given the chance to play handgames and the perennial favourite - soccer.

Softball and soccer were Deanna Jumbo's favourite sports.

Jumbo, 9, from Trout Lake, said she learned about fielding during the softball sessions. Playing the game was more fun than practising drills, she said.

The athletics of the games and meeting new people were two of the highlights of the summer games, said Jumbo

"It's fun and it's pretty good," she said.

Peter Daniels, a softball enthusiast from Fort Smith, said he was happy to come to the games to instruct the sport.

Softball has been slipping in popularity in the territory and youth have to be drawn in to build up the player base again, said Daniels.

The youth all improved over the three days. Some said they couldn't hit but it was great to watch the look on their face when they finally connected with the ball, he said.

"It's great seeing them succeed," said Daniels.