In past Whale of a Tales I discussed how soccer played an important part in the sport history and the lifestyle of Prince Albert. I began those columns with a humourous anecdote about an incident when Canadian style football was confused with Scottish style football (soccer).  

In 1966, Bill Kerr arrived in Prince Albert from Scotland to teach high school and coach football. He realized when he met his padded, helmeted team, that a major error in communication had occurred – his soccer ball was not their football. 

Bill survived and so did his team. Bill Kerr went on to assist the development of his style of football in the city. Bill’s contributions led to his induction into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame, suitably in the Builder Category.

This push for outdoor soccer led to a demand for indoor soccer. Now, thanks to coaches, financial givers, and many other resolute volunteers, Prince Albert has one of the finest indoor pitches – The  Alfred Jenkins Field House. 

The sport of soccer goes year round in Prince Albert.

The other style of football – gridiron – also flourished. By 2011, the dedication of innumerable individuals saw the city receive two provincial titles in high school football, saw the sport grow at the pre- high school level, via the work of The River Riders League, and saw the development of ‘flag football’ for young and old throughout the city.

But that sport could only be played outdoors when the sun shone.

It took a very young but committed disciple of the game to dream of the way to overcome that – enter Russell Maxwell Clunie.

Russell Maxwell Clunie, known as Max, was born October 28, 1995 and passed away on June 30, 2011, age fifteen, in a tragic, small plane accident.

Max loved sports tenaciously: hockey, baseball and in particular football.

That love of football blossomed when Max, at age 9,  enrolled in minor football and joined one of the Red River Riders’ teams. It bothered Max that his football practices and games were all limited to daylight hours, reducing the chance for family and friends to watch. He commented to his dad, “If only we could play under lights like the kids in Saskatoon!”

When tragedy struck in June of 2011, a committed and determined inspiration arose – to fulfill Max’s dream – to bring lights to the football field at Prime Minister’s Park.

That dream was led by Max’s family along with several others, young and old. These ‘Friends of Max’ as they became known began to raise the necessary money. 

The inspired efforts of the ‘Friends of Max’ prompted more inspiration. A group dubbing themselves ‘The Friday Night Lights Committee’ took up the challenge. Their goal was a daunting one – raise $650,000 to provide illumination for the games loved by all – youth and adult – football and soccer.

The Friday Night Lights Committee and Friends of Max group went to work. However, their goal was not to raise just $650,000 but also to construct all the necessary infrastructure the lights needed by the fall of 2012.

The two groups were not alone. Two agencies in charge of that field, the City and the Sask Rivers School Division quickly threw their support behind the project. In true corporate spirit several local companies stepped up – pledging materials, equipment, and labour for the initiative.

A public fundraiser was announced in June of 2012. The Friends of Max group stepped forward with the first contribution - $60,000. Kyra Ives and Sarah Grassick, representing the Prince Albert Youth Soccer Association joined in with a cheque for $50,000. Malcolm Jenkins, Canadian Tire owner, matched that effort - $50,000 more. Within two short weeks the money and the construction plan fell into place – all thanks to an amazing outpouring of what came to be called - ‘Max Power’ 

The machines and the workers then went to work. On Friday night, October 19, 2012 the miracle burst forth when the Max Clunie Field, as it was suitably named, was flooded with light. And Max’s team the Carlton Crusaders squared off against the St. Mary Marauders in the inaugural football game – played well after the sun went down!       

But the sun did not go down on what Max left us. 

As Lucas McConechy, Max’s football buddy, said in the opening ceremony, “Max had the heart of a beast ... so much passion ... so much heart ... he’d do what ever it took.”

So perhaps when you see the lights flooding Max Clunie Field pause and say - ‘Hey Max – There They Are!’    

(And there you are Bill Kerr – the two footballs together)