Pond Hockey is coming to town

Click on the article headline if you would like to read our entire publication online, in original print format. To leave a comment, click the link at the bottom of this post.

No, not hockey on a pond! Outdoor hockey like us older folk always played; where you had to clean the snow off before you could skate; where the puck went for miles if you hit it above the boards! Where the competition was all about who had the most fun! Where we learned our back passes, stick handling and sometimes even how to skate.
Now there’s a chance for kids in this area to do the same. The Oilfields Sports Association has decided to offer, for the first time, a winter programme – Pond Hockey for girls and boys aged five to sixteen. Four teams will be formed: Tyke (5 - 7), Novice (8 - 10), Atom (11 – 13) and Bantam (14 – 16). Sandul’s Drugs have generously offered to sponsor this programme.
These new teams will be formed to join the Foothills Recreational Hockey League (FRHL). There are several other teams in the FRHL, including Millarville, Priddis, Bragg Creek, Cochrane, Morley and Canmore.
The draw area for Oilfields Sports Association teams to join this league will be Black Diamond, Longview and Turner Valley.
“With league fees for minor hockey going up and up this programme, at $150, gives parents with bigger families the option of still being able to put their kids in hockey. Because all families will have to do one week of ice maintenance, the Turner Valley outdoor rink will be in great shape this year. This is another big benefit to the community. In addition, both boys and girls are welcome in this non-contact league, so that may appeal to some children who may shy away from minor hockey. Also it is a great way to ease your children into hockey in an environment that is low pressure and stresses fun,” said Neil Parrett, coordinator of this programme, who can be reached at: oaspondhockey@hotmail.ca for further information.
Don’t forget all registrations for winter programmes will be on September 13th from 7:00 to 9:00pm at the Flare ‘N Derrick in Turner Valley.