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INUVIK
It's not hockey season yet, but already some Inuvik youth have had a chance to practise their skills off the ice.

Canadian Forces members pose with Inuvik youth at the Midnight Sun Complex Friday. They played floor hockey and basketball. - Danielle Sachs/NNSL photo

Canadian Forces members were at the Midnight Sun Complex Friday leading games of floor hockey and basketball for anyone who stopped by.

Pte. Andrew MacIntosh wanted to do something to engage some of the youth in Inuvik.

Exploring the town during a bit of down time, he saw the Midnight Sun Complex and wondered if there was anything he could do that would involve some of the youth in Inuvik.

"I played basketball in college and when you do that you get hooked up with all the good summer jobs," said MacIntosh.

"One of those jobs was leading summer camps for kids and I wanted to do something here."

MacIntosh organized a group of Canadian Forces members from the camp in Inuvik and brought them to the Midnight Sun Complex.

"It's important they see us as normal people," said MacIntosh.

"We're not all business and uniform all the time."

The drop-in session focused on play more than points, but it didn't stop the competition from being fierce.

Chris Church, who recently returned from the Canadian Under-17 Basketball Championships in Sherbrooke, Que., quickly joined the basketball side of the arena.

"They're pretty good," he said.

"I knocked one guy down going for the basket."

MacIntosh said the motivation to get out and play some sports with the youth wasn't hard to come by.

"I can't stand going for a jog, but team sports are different."

As the games were winding down, Canadian Forces members changed back into uniform for a group shot with the participating youth.

"This is a great place," said MacIntosh.

"The kids are pretty lucky to have this setup with the pool and different activities."

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