High cost of competing
Kivalliq Canucks ready for Maritime junior 'C' tourney
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
RANKIN INLET/KIVALLIQ
The Kivalliq Canucks will represent the Hockey North Branch when they travel to the Maritime-Hockey North junior 'C' championships at Fredericton, N.B., from March 30 to April 3.
The Canucks have won the junior 'C' Challenge Cup against Team Baffin 12 of the past 14 years to advance to the Maritime tourney, and have reached the finals there once.
In an ironic twist of fate, Hockey North is the defending champion at this year's event, with Baffin having captured the 2015 tournament.
Baffin had six Kivalliq players in its line-up in 2015, while Kivalliq will have three Baffin players in its line-up this year.
Head coach Donald Clark of Rankin Inlet said he's looking forward to returning to the Maritime event this year.
He said the trip is also the culmination of a full-year's worth of fundraising to cover the costs of attending the tournament.
"The Challenge Cup was well supported by Hockey Nunavut this year, with close to $25,000 given to the two teams combined," said Clark.
"We received $9,500, which went towards bringing our players from the other Kivalliq communities into Rankin, helping with the running of the tournament and providing meals for our players while here in Rankin.
"That really helped us a lot because we brought nine players in from out of town to play in the regional trials."
Clark said the costs are significant during years when the Canucks win the Challenge Cup and advance to the Maritime tourney.
He said the first expense is bringing his out-of-town players back to Rankin.
"From there we have to fly down to Winnipeg, which is roughly $22,000, and overnight there.
"This year we're looking at another $22,000 to go to New Brunswick from Winnipeg, and then an additional $5,000 for a bus to take us back and forth to the games, attend the banquet and whatever else comes up.
"When you add the cost of your hotels and meals, you're looking at about $60,000 for the trip.
"Team Kivalliq players each pay a $200 entry fee for the Challenge Cup - where they received a new tracksuit and hockey bag - and each player advancing to the Maritimes has to pay an additional $400 to help with team meals and hotel expenses."
The Canucks are travelling to New Brunswick with a full roster of 23 players this month, the most they've ever taken to the Maritime event.
Clark said he's only allowed to use 20 players per game, so three will have to sit out each contest.
He said that doesn't mean they can't still contribute to the team's success.
"We may use them as spotters or helpers but whatever it is, we'll find some role for them.
"Bingo accounts for most of our fundraising to make this trip and we're fortunate that we always get accepted to go into the bingo draw.
"We usually hold one or two big bingo games per year, and we try to stay one-year ahead in our fundraising efforts.
"We also quietly make donations to minor hockey teams out of the money we raise, and, this past December, we were able to donate $2,500 to the Christmas food hamper."
