Head out to a sporting event on Haida Gwaii, and you will likely see Dwyer Cross and his radio team on the sidelines, broadcasting the game to the masses through their website.
They even have booths at the Skidegate ballfield and George Brown Rec Centre.
Since its revival in 2022, the Haida Gwaii Radio Society has been led by Cross. Founded in 2017 and based out of Skidegate, the society brings local sports to islands residents who can’t make it to the big games.
Re-emerging from the trials of the pandemic, the society embarked on a mission to reconnect with the community, starting with local basketball tournaments.
Cross does play-by-play commentary together with Will Bedard, backed up by SGaan Kwah Agang working the video tech support, Ryan Barber on technical support, and Jon Calfas operating the camera. The team has played a pivotal role in bringing the excitement of local sports back to the airwaves.
Their live broadcasts are renowned for their detailed and insightful commentary, often featuring esteemed personalities such as Desi Collinson and Wiijaa Edenshaw, who bring a unique flair.
Initially focusing on basketball, the Haida Gwaii Radio Society quickly expanded to cover softball and soccer.
This spring, they covered the thrilling final in Tlell between the GidG̱alang Ḵuuyas Naay Secondary Breakers girls’ soccer team and the Kitimat Eagles for the Single-A Northwest Zones championship. Last month, they provided extensive coverage during the Hospital Days softball tournament.
“The next events include the Skidegate Days baseball tournament and the Pacific Unity 18 and Under Summer Series, and we aim to do both radio and video,” said Cross.
“Bella Coola will have their radio guys coming up as well.”
Cross is enthusiastic about expanding the coverage to other sports.
“It would be cool to get into other sports, such as volleyball and possibly hockey when that happens in the winter. It would be great to do random sports such as the rollergirls in Masset.”
“It seems like there’s always something going on in Haida Gwaii, and we would like to cover it,” he said.
Cross encourages anyone interested in doing commentary to contact the team at www.haidagwaiiradio.org.
