Supporting western Canadian youth in sport, because the same grit that powers agriculture can grow a champion.
Meet Blake Rempel
2026 Fields to Finals Sponsorship Recipient
Rush Lake, Saskatchewan | Judo | Cadet U18 -55 kg
Cattle. Pigs. Sheep. Chickens. A family butcher shop. And six years on the judo mat.
For Blake Rempel of Rush Lake, Saskatchewan, agriculture and sport have always been part of the same busy life. The 15-year-old Judo Saskatchewan athlete competes at the provincial, national and international level, with a long-term goal that reaches well beyond his home province: representing Canada at the Olympic Games.
Now, Blake is one of the first athletes selected for the Fields to Finals sponsorship, receiving $5,000 from Condie Genetics to help support the next stage of his judo journey.
From Farm Life to the Judo Mat
Growing up around livestock and his family’s butcher shop taught Blake responsibility early.
There were animals to care for, jobs to finish and people depending on him. Over time, those lessons became part of how he approaches judo too.
A tough training session or a disappointing result does not end the story. It becomes something to learn from before the next practice or competition.
As Blake put it in his application:
“Agriculture didn’t just build my work ethic, but it built my character and that is what gets me to judo time and time again.”
Testing Himself Against Stronger Competition
Blake has spent six years progressing through judo and expanding the level of competition he takes on. He has competed across Canada and internationally, earning podium finishes and gaining experience against athletes he may not normally face close to home.
One of his proudest moments came at his first competition outside Canada. Blake travelled to Florida for the U.S. Open and fought his way into medal contention, finishing just short of bronze.
He did not leave with the medal he wanted. He did leave knowing he could compete at that level.
That experience helped reinforce what comes next: better training, stronger competition and more opportunities to keep developing.
Why Blake Was Selected
Fields to Finals was created to support western Canadian youth with strong agriculture connections who are serious about where their sport can take them. Blake stood out for more than his results.
He has clear goals, a willingness to challenge himself and a strong connection to the community around his sport. When he is not competing at some provincial events, Blake volunteers as a referee for younger judoka. It is a small role with a bigger purpose: helping the next group of athletes have the same opportunities he has had.
Learn More
About Blake
Blake Rempel sits down with Nathan Reddish of The Karting Kids and Dustin Klym from Condie Genetics to talk about life in Rush Lake, growing up around livestock, how farm work carries over to judo, and where the sport is taking him next. From hauling square bales to heading to Portugal to compete, get to know the first Fields to Finals recipient beyond the competition mat.
About Our F2F Podcast Host
Nathan Reddish is a young competitive kart racer pushing the boundaries on and off the track. His love of sport and connecting with athletes led to the creation of his social media brand, The Karting Kids. Nathan brings podcasting and interview experience to Fields to Finals, along with a genuine curiosity. Growing up in the Greater Toronto Area, Nathan is removed from production agriculture, a stark difference in upbringing from the F2F recipients.
Helping Make the Next Opportunity Possible
High-level sport comes with costs that extend far beyond competition day. Training camps. Athlete fees. Hotels. Flights and road trips. Coaching. Tournament entries.
Blake plans to use his $5,000 Fields to Finals sponsorship to help cover those expenses and make more high-level training and competition opportunities possible. His application outlined ambitions that included competing nationally and internationally as he continues building toward his long-term goals.
Could You Be Next?
Blake is the first of many stories Fields to Finals hopes to tell. Across Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta, young athletes are balancing school, agriculture, family responsibilities, training and competition while working toward something bigger.
Fields to Finals awards three $5,000 sponsorships each year to help athletes with strong agriculture roots take the next step in their sport. If that sounds like you, we want to hear your story. And if Blake reminds you of a young athlete you know, send the program their way.