Innisfil Ball Hockey - Riding the next wave

The Innisfil Ball Hockey Club or if you prefer the official team name, the Innisfil Wave, began their season with unofficial evaluation games for kids in the Minor Tyke division in the Stroud Curling Club. It allowed coaches the opportunity decide, or fight over, how the players would be divided to create 4 evenly skilled house-league teams.

Parents who had already registered their children, born in 2002 and 2001, watched proudly as the athletes put on impressive shows, running with endless energy and all trying their best at stick-handling and passing drills. When the "pick-up" game began, the players were truly put to the test as their benches were a bit thin, each having only one player the chance to rest up. Becoming the goalie was the only other option for a rest and that was a daunting task as players at both ends were getting good chances and some impressive saves and goals were witnessed. But the best part was that in order to participate, it only cost $95 and a little safety equipment, but far less than outfitting a budding NHL star. However, if one was thinking of such dreams, as a summer alternative for perfecting stick handling skills, or a fearsome wrist shot, without the distraction of trying to keep one's balance on ice, ball hockey provides a safe, noncontact environment with either person or ice!

Organizers say it would be ideal if just a few more kids could be recruited to play to help fill out the benches in both their Minor Tyke or Tyke, for children born in 2000 and 1999, 2001 &2002 divisions. Registration costs increase slightly for Tyke at $115 but then that lasts until you hit the Atom division in 3 to 4 years.

The Innisfil Wave are beginning only their 5th year of operation but have grown from a starting roster of only 150 players in 3 divisions to fielding sometimes more than 4 house league teams in 8 divisions with more than double the players. In just their 2nd year of competition, the Novice Wave won the Ontario Championship title and duplicated the feat last year. The Atom Wave division has been no slouch either with their provincial team winning the Metro Cup in Mississauga last year. Last year's first Bantam Division team also made Innisfil's presence known at the provincial championships in Chatham and were hardly a team to be taken lightly and hope to see the addition of a Wave junior team for those born in 1989 & 90.

Articles featuring the various divisions of the Innisfil Wave will follow so that players can see their names and achievements recorded for all to be proud of but parents can have a responsibility to. Photographs of games, exceptional players, plays or effort are very much appreciated and welcome.

E-mail them to wavenews@ innisfilballhockey.com and watch for your own extra support in the sport pages!

For more information, contact Karen Roberts at (705) 436-7124.