As soon as Yellowknife arenas remove the ice from their rinks next spring, ball hockey is set to start in its place through the Jungle Hockey League (JHL).
Photo courtesy of Dennis Davison
After the great response the JHL received from Alberta participants, the league decided to expand across the country, said Dennis Davison, president of the Edmonton-based JHL.
They especially want to set up leagues in centres that donSA国际影视传媒檛 have an opportunity to compete at the national level.
SA国际影视传媒淲e know thereSA国际影视传媒檚 talent up in the territories and want to give it exposure for nationals,SA国际影视传媒� Davison said, adding that he knows a handful of players from the North who have gone on to compete on the Canadian stage.
Next spring, JHL will launch in Yellowknife and Whitehorse. After that, Davison said there could be opportunities to grow further.
The league will be open to adults and children, with options to play in co-ed or gendered leagues. Registration will open later this month and with it, the JHL Yellowknife website will launch.
So far, Davison said the response has been SA国际影视传媒渙verwhelming.SA国际影视传媒�
He said the league's social media pages have SA国际影视传媒渂lown upSA国际影视传媒� with messages of soon-to-be participants already wanting to sign up. Several have also offered their time as volunteers to help the league run smoothly SA国际影视传媒� a gesture that Davison said is much appreciated as an organization operated entirely by volunteers.
SA国际影视传媒淭he great thing about ball hockey,SA国际影视传媒� Davison said, SA国际影视传媒渋s that itSA国际影视传媒檚 a sport for everybody.SA国际影视传媒�
While skating skills or equipment fees could be holding some hockey players back, all you need for ball hockey is a stick and a pair of running shoes. Though players will require helmets as well, he said.
SA国际影视传媒淓verybody likes playing ball in the street and now itSA国际影视传媒檚 just taking it to a more organized level,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
Still six or so months into the future, it's too soon to say what public health recommendations might be once the JHL is ready to blow the whistle. For now, teams in Alberta are playing at reduced rosters but Davison hopes those limits may be loosened by the spring.
He emphasized that the JHL wants no one to be left behind. If participation fees are unfeasible for any interested players, he said to reach out and that they would make arrangements.
Especially in a tumultuous year, Davison said "it's great to see people playing sports."
"Anytime we can get people out and active in the communities itSA国际影视传媒檚 a good thing."
