Showing the hockey love
People of Rankin step up to help atoms reach their goal
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
RANKIN INLET
The hockey-mad community of Rankin Inlet came through big time to help the Rankin Rock atoms players travel to Thompson, Man., to compete at the Munn Cup from Feb. 17 to 19.
A flea market to raise funds to help 35 kids travel for an atoms tournament exceeded all expectations during the Arctic Atoms tournament weekend in Rankin Inlet this past month. - photo courtesy of Rachele Verbeek |
Rankin Rock A team coach Katie Bell said this will be the third year for Rankin to compete at the event.
She said her squad has a tough act to follow, with the Rankin A team bringing home gold in 2016.
"We're going back as defending champions, and we'll be trying to bring that trophy back to Rankin again," said Bell.
"We're taking 35 kids on two teams, and they're all so excited about it.
"I came in a little late to the game, and we had a lot of fundraising to do in a short period of time.
"We had to raise about $55,000 and we got it done in under a month."
Bell said the atoms still have to raise about $3,000, and she contacted Don Cherry looking for support.
She said she also reached out to corporations in the south, and a couple have agreed to send sponsorships.
"For us to raise $55,000 in this small little community is just incredible, so I'm trying to go on a little bit bigger of a scale now.
"I'm confident we'll make it, but we're not there yet and every little bit counts.
"These kids don't get out of Rankin that often, and, the more money we raise, the more things they're able to do while they're out, like swimming, bowling, and little simple things like taking them to McDonald's for breakfast, which is not something they get to do every day.
"Really, we're trying to provide the same things to our players that most kids in the south get to do when they go to a hockey tournament."
Rachele Verbeek is a hockey mom in Rankin who helps the atoms fundraise.
She said all the parents really came together to help make this trip happen.
"My daughter, Jaidyn, turns 11 this week and plays with the Rankin atoms," said Verbeek.
"Being involved with hockey has helped her to learn about sportsmanship, what it takes to be a good teammate, and how to work hard for a common purpose.
"She loves playing hockey, and the girls get just as excited about travelling to a tournament as the boys do.
"They work so hard to get to this, their big trip out, and they all pretty much just vibrate with excitement the final few days before they go."
Verbeek said she loves being part of the various activities as a hockey mom.
She said she wants to see the Rankin children be able to go on at least one trip every year because it's such a great opportunity for them.
"It's not just about the hockey, as much as they all love to play, because it's great for the kids just to be able to get out, experience new things, and meet new people.
"When Jaidyn comes home from a trip, she talks about it for about a week straight.
"We really exceeded all our expectations during the Arctic Atoms weekend, and it's just amazing the level of support the people of Rankin give the kids when it comes to hockey.
"You feel a real sense of community from everyone pitching in and doing their best to help."
