Birds will be flying at Humboldt Collegiate Institute on Saturday, but rather than the avian variety, it will be badminton provincials taking place.

Sixty-four individuals from across Saskatchewan will be vying for provincial titles in singles and doubles events.

HCI Badminton Coach Shaun Gardiner says that hosting the provincial finals gives them a chance to show off the sport.

"We wanted to, number one, advance the opportunity for our own students to play badminton at a high level. Possibly getting through the districts, regionals, and maybe provincials," he noted. "Second thing for us, is it gives us an opportunity to expose badminton to our community, and with the hopes that maybe a few more players want to pick the game up and compete at a high level."

"The best badminton players will be here in Humboldt, whether they be a mixed, boys, or girls doubles team, or singles, I'm fairly confident that most fans will be treated to some fairly good quality badminton."

The school was also able to host one of four regional tournaments a week ago, and played host to districts for the Horizon Central Athletic Association.

Each category has eight teams or individuals, according to Gardiner.

"There will be two pools of four, with the top two teams in each pool advancing on to a playoff round for the possibility of medals."

Four teams in the HCAA will look to bring more hardware back to the region. Humboldt will have some representation, as Erik Gardiner and Simon Ford compete in Boys Doubles.

A pair of bronze medallists from last year will be looking to upgrade in 2016. Wadena's Darian Sunshine is back in Boys Singles, while Megan Farrell from Foam Lake is in the Girls Singles competition.

In Mixed Doubles, Remington Rohel and Ashley Blechinger from Annaheim look to chase down a medal.

The day long event will begin at 9:30am with opening ceremonies. First serves of the competition are made at 10:00am, with the finals expected to conclude late afternoon.

Junior Badminton Districts were held on Tuesday and Wednesday in the HCAA.

Englefeld cleaned up the podium, claiming the gold medal in four of five events. Cael Zimmerman was the champion of Boys Singles. In Girls Singles, Kara Miskolczi finished in first. Stephen Gonzales and Nico Tulabut won Boys Doubles, while Tanya Baga and Anne-Lyza Crisanto took the Girls Doubles event. 

In Mixed Doubles, it was St. Brieux's Luis Rosalin and Makenzie Kovacs claiming the title.

You can hear more with Gardiner below.