Upward Ball Hockey
Our most ambitious project to date!!! On June 21, 2008 we held a training event at our church, bringing together 5 churches interested in sports ministry. In the second week of August we mailed over 4,000 brochures to the neighbourhoods around the church. In the works is a nine week ball hockey league for K - Grade 6 running from early October to mid December. The emphasis is on both skills and character development. While Riverbend Church of God had expressed interest in jointly running this league, they have decided to pull out this fall and do a league possibly in February, 2009.Registration
The brochures are now available from the church office. Each child needs to attend a skills assesment running between 6 - 8 p.m. on September 2, 3 or 4 at Louise Street Community Church. Payment of fees and sizing of shirts will also happen at this time. Each child only needs to attend once, and the testing lasts about 20-30 minutes. The early registration ($75) deadline is September 4. Add $10 if you register after and until the final deadline of September 8. Phone 374-4622 for more information.Why ball hockey?
We're Canadians, and we love hockey. The schedules and costs for ice hockey make it prohibitive for many families. For ball hockey the only necessary equipment is a CSA approved helmet with a cage. Skills developed in ball hockey can always be used to augment an ice hockey experience later. For $75 the young people will get a quality reversible game jersey, a practice t-shirt, an Upward New Testament, and Upward car magnet and an end of season piece of sports equipment, all packed in a mesh bag.Schedule
At the skills assesment in September we run the children through several drills, the results of which are used to make up teams that are equal across the board. Because every child receives equal playing time, having equal strength teams provides the best experience possible.The league itself will start in early October, allowing us time to order the sized shirts and develop the teams. There will be a one hour practice (starting October 7) each week (on a week night) along with a game (first game is October 18) each Saturday morning.
The practices involve a short Bible devotions in the middle led by a coach that focuses on character development. Each game has a half-time where the teams will take a breather and a visiting VIP will give a brief testimony to the crowd watching.
End of Season
There is a major end-of-season awards event on December 14 where every team and child is recognized, along with a fantastic entertainer. We fully expect your child will be chomping at the bit to sign up for the next season (fall 2009).FAQs
Where will we be playing? There are 2 playing areas at Louise Street Community Church. Both are approximately 25' x 60', with 24" boards on the sides to keep the ball in play.Who is coaching? While we have several volunteers from both Louise Street Community Church and the Riverbend Church of God, we will also need to rely on some parent volunteers. There will also be a need for referee volunteers.
What does the coaching involve? We provide the material for practices and strategies, etc. With a minimum amount of knowledge about the game, anyone with some leadership skills can coach. We also request a current police check that is kept in a confidential file from each coach in accordance with our church's child safety policies. Coaches in some divisions may also referee .
What equipment does my child need? Each child must have a government approved helmet with a mask or cage. Sticks, balls and nets are already at the playing areas. Feel free to have your child use gloves or shin pads (soccer shin pads work great), but experience has shown these are not requirements.
What about goalies? Our interest for the children is character development and basic stick handling and shooting skills. As such, we use Shooter Trainers (padded goalie figures) that attach to the nets with cutouts allowing places to score. This keeps the game moving (no need to change goalie pads, etc), keeps costs down from anyone having to buy pads, etc, and keeps the teams balanced in terms of differing goalie abilities.
There is a crease around each net designated as a "no shot zone". Neither defensive nor offensive play may touch the ball while it is in the crease.
How do the games work? There will be 4 children on the rink from each team at a time. Teams are capped at 12 people. There are six 3 minute shifts each half, with an 8 minute half-time break. The clock stops at each substitution. Each child plays a minimum of 4 shifts per game.
What about penalties? When a penalty is called, play is stopped, and for the next 2 minutes an extra player is added to the opposing team. A second penalty during the power play results in a penalty shot.
Any more questions? Phone or e-mail the church and we will provide the answer!