There are a pair of upcoming come-try-hockey events in Steinbach focused on young players and girls, helping promote the growth of the sport in the community.
On Sunday, September 14, the Steinbach Minor Hockey Association is hosting a Girls Try Hockey session for ages 5 to 14 at 1 p.m. at the Southeast Event Centre, followed by a U9 Come Try Hockey event at 3 p.m. at the TG Smith Arena. Both events are free and designed to introduce new players to the sport in a supportive environment.
Girls participating in the 1 p.m. session are asked to bring skates, a helmet and a stick. “And then if they like it, they can register,” says SMHA Vice President Ryan Canada.
For the U9 session, boys and girls ages 5 to 9 are welcome, and parents are asked to email their child’s name, age, and any equipment needs to Jacqui Plett at SteinbachMillers2016@gmail.com. Some extra equipment may be available.
Growing the game
Canada says these opportunities align with efforts to create more options for girls in the community, including the formation of a new U9 all-girls team to play in the Eastman Minor Hockey League.
“We currently have four from minor hockey from Steinbach registered and then we will go with surrounding communities to make up that team. I would like to see a few more from the Steinbach area sign up.”
While it’s just one additional team this year, Canada says the hope is to expand in the future.
“We're hoping we can grow it into the other ages eventually, but starting at this U9 level where it's grassroots hockey, you get the girl started, you get them interested and then they can play with girls going forward.”
He explains that while many girls enjoy the game, the options are often limited to co-ed teams, so having an all-girls team is important.
“Some girls don't want to play with the boys and that's just the truth,” he says. “It's interesting to see and to see them play against each other and have fun with the other girls and do it together.”
After reaching out to families, Canada says the response has been encouraging.
“I think it's going to be a positive experience. I have a daughter, she's in U11 this year. She's playing co-ed, but she didn't have that opportunity at U9. I think if she would have had that opportunity at U9, she probably would have [joined the female team]. So having this opportunity now for these U9 girls is going to be an incredible opportunity for them.”
Excitement at the rink
Canada says it’s an exciting season with hockey continuing to grow in Steinbach. He notes the new Southeast Event Centre will play a big role in the year ahead, giving players and families an upgraded facility and the chance to host tournaments again.
“We haven't had tournaments in a couple of years now, so now having both rinks we can host tournaments and we're excited to be able to host tournaments again. So, it's going to be it's going to be fantastic.”
Looking ahead, he says there’s plenty to be excited about.
“I'm looking forward to it beginning, seeing the kids in their new jerseys, on the new rink, having our tournaments back, seeing people from other communities come see our facility, play our teams. It’s just going to be an exciting season.”
Making hockey affordable
SMHA is also running its annual raffle, which Canada says helps reduce costs for families.
“Hockey has generally been expensive with equipment, that kind of thing. So having this raffle to make it more affordable is the goal of our board is to make hockey affordable and to allow kids to have the opportunity to play hockey because it is a wonderful sport.”
Tickets are available from any participating SMHA player, as well as at A&W in Steinbach, with plenty of prizes to be won.
-With files from Carly Koop