It’s biggest week in the history of the growing Richmond/South Delta Ball Hockey Association.
The organization is hosting the provincial championships for the first time ever — bringing 56 teams to the city to compete over five days. The tournament will take place at the Richmond Ice Centre (RIC) and Minoru Arenas, with the division championship games slated for Sunday at the RIC.
“We will have teams coming from Victoria and across the Lower Mainland,” said Richmond/South Delta Ball Hockey president George Bal. “Every association will have representation and there will be seven age group finals.”
Several years ago, the association was more concerned about survival than hosting a high-profile tournament.
With less than 100 players registered, the executive reached across the Fraser River to recruit kids from South Delta. Since then, the game has caught on in a big way.
This season attracted 440 kids.
“There are only a handful of kids coming from Ladner now,” said Bal. “It has grown so much and it’s all Richmond kids. I think people are realizing it is an inexpensive sport that is good for cross-training. Hockey players are able to work on their stick skills by doing things that are very difficult when you are skating too.”
Bal added playing in a full size rink for all ages, compared to on the street, makes it an attractive sport from a fitness standpoint. It also doesn’t hurt when Mike Babcock ran ball hockey sessions for Team Canada hopefuls in breaking down strategy for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Canucks forward Alexandre Burrows is another big advocate of the game.
The only equipment required are gloves, helmet, a hockey stick and soccer shin pads. Even though there maybe some bumping in the corners at the older age levels, ball hockey is a non-contact sport.
Although the provincials brings an official end to the club season for many players, a growing rep program is beginning to take flight. It will see some kids continuing to play into July and is similar to all-star baseball.
Bal learned first hand about the sport’s surging popularity. It’s how he got involved — first as a coach then as an executive.
“It was six years ago and we were late to register so my son was put on a wait list,” recalled Ball. “He really wanted to play and when I found out they were short of coaches and his name would come off if I stepped forward, it was an easy decision. I had played myself for many years.”
He was later endorsed as association vice-president and stepped into the top position just days before the start of the current season.
