If all goes well come the spring, there will be another face on the growing sports scene within the City of Yorkton.
It will have its share of competition, but the Saskatchewan Ball Hockey League hopes to establish itself in Yorkton as early as May, says president Dean Crossland.
The sport will attempt to give both interested individuals and groups another opportunity to keep in shape over the summer months.
The league will also cater to those of all skill levels, he said.
There will be teams for both youth and adults.
Ball hockey is a non contact sport that is a combination of road hockey with the rules and guidelines of ice hockey. It is played, in local arena`s (ice removed) during the spring and summer months. The major advantage to playing floor hockey is that parents won't need to invest all kinds of money into top-of-the-line hockey skates, thus players who can't skate, needn't worry, he said. He said the game should appeal directly to anyone who has the ability to play hockey, but can't skate or afford the high costs associated with buying high-end gear required to play on ice.
"Due to the fact that it is played on foot (eliminating the skating barrier) and that it requires minimal equipment (eliminating a financial barrier) it is truly a game for anyone who is interested in playing. Crossland said the sport is already well underway in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert. Yorkton is in with Moose Jaw and Swift Current who are also looking at getting established for the spring season, he adds. When the season gets going, Crossland expects games to be played at the Farrell Agencies Arena. Although relatively new to Saskatchewan, the sport of ball hockey has more than 50,000 registered members nationally through the sport's governing body, the Canadian Ball Hockey Association. As of 2008, there was only 22 players and one team in Saskatchewan registered through the CBHA. Since the emergence of the SBHA one year later, it has grown to over 1,000 members, 60 teams and leagues in three major cities (Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Regina).
This year, plans are in place to expand to Moose Jaw, Lloydminster, Battleford and Yorkton. There will be adult and youth leagues in each.
If there's anything you'd like to see covered by Game 7, please forward your suggestions to the Yorkton This Week sportsdesk by phone (306) 782-2465, fax (306) 786-1898 or email me at jeff@yorkton this week.com
