Dual-Sport Athlete Hayden Kot Named as Team Sask Opening Ceremonies Flag Bearer at the 2025 Canada Summer Games
REGINA, SK (July 28, 2025): As Team Sask prepares to march into the 2025 Canada Summer Games Opening Ceremonies on August 9th in St. John’s, NL, one athlete will proudly lead the contingent as flag bearer: Regina’s Hayden Kot.
A dual-sport athlete in volleyball and basketball, Kot’s selection celebrates her outstanding athleticism, leadership, and embodiment of Saskatchewan spirit.
“I was so surprised,” said Kot, moments after learning the news. “I came out of our volleyball game, and when I saw a message from my basketball coach saying ‘CONGRATULATIONS,’ I didn’t know what it was about at first. Then I read the full message and I was just so happy. It’s such an honour to represent Saskatchewan this way.”
Sixteen-year-old Kot, who attends Dr. Martin LeBoldus Catholic High School in Regina, credits her success to the people around her.
“It’s all about the support system,” she said. “Coaches who believe in me, teammates who have my back -- even when I miss a week of volleyball for basketball, or vice versa. Everyone just wants the best for each other.”
Athleticism clearly runs in the family. Her father, Garrett Kot, was also a multi-sport athlete who competed in volleyball at the 1993 Canada Summer Games in Kamloops, BC. He now coaches basketball at Kot’s school and has played a major role in her development.
“He’s my school basketball coach, and we’re always in the gym. He played the same volleyball position as me, so he really understands how I feel. He’s always pushing me and giving me advice; it’s been huge.”
As she prepares for two full weeks of competition and camaraderie in St. John’s, Kot is soaking in every moment.
“I’ve heard stories about the Canada Games from my dad, and now I finally get to experience it for myself,” she said. “It’s like a mini-Olympics. Getting to showcase my province in two sports… it’s something I’ll never forget.”
The flag bearer was selected through a nomination process. The nomination was cosigned by both of Kot’s Canada Games head coaches, Tracy Hazen (volleyball) and Maddy Humbert (basketball).
Wrote Hazen: “Hayden is a leader on both her basketball and volleyball teams with the Canada Games. In volleyball, she was the Sask Volleyball 17U Player of the Year, Best of the West Tournament MVP, and someone we counted on as we won a national medal (the first of any Saskatchewan team in history at the 17U age group). Hayden will be a captain for our Canada Games volleyball team, despite playing with many girls a year older than her. She’s also a standout basketball player and USport teams are fighting over her, hoping she’ll choose them and their sport!”
Added Humbert, “Hayden has played a key role on the provincial basketball team for the past four years. Her athleticism, leadership, and dedication to excellence have allowed her to excel in both basketball and volleyball. Representing Saskatchewan at two different sports at the Canada Games is a truly remarkable accomplishment.”
Kot will lead Team Saskatchewan into the Opening Ceremony, scheduled for 7:00 PM NST/4:30 PM CST at Mary Brown’s Centre in St. John’s on Saturday, August 9th. The Games will run until August 25th.
The full list of Team Sask athletes, coaches, and staff, sorted by sport and home community, can be found here.
ABOUT TEAM SASK
Athletes who compete at the Canada Games represent the country’s next generation of national, international, Olympic, and Paralympic champions. Team Sask alumni Catriona Le May Doan, Mark McMorris, Emily Clark, Rylan Wiens, Shelby Newkirk, and Carissa Norsten, among many others, can all count their previous Canada Games experiences as a stepping stone to the highest levels of sport.
FOLLOW TEAM SASK
Team Sask results will be updated daily at teamsask.ca and can also be found at https://cg2025.gems.pro/. The official 2025 Canada Summer Games website is 2025canadagames.ca. Team Sask is also active across social media: Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
FLAG BEARER ANNOUNCEMENT PHOTOS: will be available here
PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS GAMES: available here
PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Scraper/Team Sask
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For more information, please contact:
Darren Dupont
Team Sask Media Lead
(639) 471-0167
