Sledge hockey demo at New Tec Rec Centre

April 3, 2014 · 0 Comments

A new sport – at least locally – made its debut at the New Tecumseth Recreation Centre on Sunday (Mar. 31) with a demonstration day held on the ice.

Sledge hockey is designed for people with limited physical ability and otherwise would not be able to play hockey.

It’s already a sport internationally and at the Winter Paralympics – seen most recently at the Winter Games in Sochi.

Around 50 participants came out to the demonstration day on Sunday and tried out the sleds, which are propelled by using short hockey sticks with special ice grips on the butt end of the stick.

The Parks and Recreation department partnered with the Children’s Treatment Network and Catupla Community Support Services to bring the sledges to the arena, on the recommendation of the Town Accessibility Committee.

The sport turned out to be very popular with those that tried it out. Both physically challenged people and able bodied individuals tried out the sleds and there were several volunteers on the ice to give some guidance on how to get around.

The sledges had to be borrowed for the event, and sponsors are being sought to provide sledges for the program.

Following the demonstration on the ice there was a chance to sign up for a new skill building program.

The Spring program will begin on May 29, and run through to July 3.

For more information on the sledge hockey Spring session or to register, contact the Guest Services at the arena at 705 435-4030 ext. 1500 or 1621.

By Brian Lockhart