Minor hockey finds its stride as another season approaches
Fort Providence Minor Hockey organizing for 2016-17 skating season
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, November 3, 2016
DEH CHO
What began in fits and starts has culminated into an organized program in Fort Providence as the hamlet's minor hockey team goes full steam ahead.
Kole Landry, left, Evan Nadli and Tyrell Nadli are three minor hockey players in Fort Providence. The hamlet is organizing for the 2016-17 ice season. - NNSL file photo
|
This year, the team has a board and recently elected a president, Tim Cragg, as well as other executive members including vice-president Edward Landry, treasurer Bertha Landry and board members.
With ice already floating down the river, Cragg says the board is just waiting until it gets cold enough for ice to be put into the arena.
"Right now, we're focusing on getting organized. We really haven't had minor hockey in town probably for quite some time," he said.
"Hopefully this year, we'll get kids out."
Cragg and Edward Landry started making a push for minor hockey in 2015 in an effort to get some of the community's children out to the arena to play. That was met with mixed success, he said; although a few children came out to play, organization was lacking.
Electing a board was one step in fixing that problem.
"Our main hope this year, we're talking to the school right now and going to try to get (classes) to come out to the arena for their gym periods, get them out skating, do some drills," Cragg said.
"Hopefully that will bring up some interest to get some of the kids in and out playing regular hockey."
The minor hockey group has received some donations of equipment and money, which Cragg said has been helpful in establishing the program. The board also hosted a Halloween party to help raise money, which approximately 150 people attended, he added.
"Every little bit is helpful," he said. "Everybody seems to know what we're doing, but we haven't really had anybody sign up yet . We have this beautiful arena sitting here that doesn't get used."
Cragg also hopes minor hockey will give children another recreational opportunity at a time of year where it can be difficult to find things to do.
Minor hockey is open to youth between the ages of five and 12.
