News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes

Young hockey players from around BC are set to converge on Williams Lake in just over a month, for the third annual Central British Columbia Aboriginal Youth Hockey Tournament.

The big weekend is March 13-15, where local players and their coaches will battle it out with minor hockey teams from all over BC.

(Photo: Teams from all over BC are gearing up for the third annual Central BC Aboriginal Hockey Tournament in Williams Lake.)

“Teams come from all over BC to play here,” said Sheila Kelalst-Booth, President of the Central BC Aboriginal Youth Hockey Association. “They come from places like Victoria and Kamloops, where they don’t have Aboriginal hockey---last year we had 17 teams and this year we hope to have 20.”

She said that her 12-year-old son has been playing hockey since he was nine. “He loves the sport: he’s competitive and likes to be the star. It’s been great for him to learn good sportsmanship and good teamwork.”

The kids who come to play at the Aboriginal Youth Hockey tournament are between 6-18 years old. “They can be first-year players or seasoned players---if the coach is willing to take you, you can play,” she explained.

“We don’t want to exclude anyone. There are kids in this tournament who don’t play in the standard hockey league because they can’t afford it. This is the chance for them to come and do something they love.

“As parents, we love watching our kids play—seeing them smile and have fun, learn skills in a great environment. They learn to be a team: they learn that they can do it together and they learn how to communicate,” she continued.

“We have wonderful coaches for the tournament, like Coach Frankie Robbins, who are definitely here for the kids---they love the game and are patient with the kids. They want to see them have fun and succeed.”

She said that the Aboriginal Hockey Association is not only working hard to raise funds for the tournament, they’re also pushing to take the kids to out-of-town tournaments, including a large Aboriginal hockey tournament in White Horse at the end of March.

“It gives these kids a chance to see and play at other venues. We’re looking into registering as a business---there may be more fundraising opportunities, including grants, available to us.”

She said that the success of the tournament depends on the hard-working committee and the generous support of the community. “This event brings in big number of visitors to our city. If there are 20 teams with 18 players each, and all their coaches and families---that’s good business for Williams Lake.”

Supporting this tournament for kids is good for businesses because it shows that they’re behind the community and investing in its future, according to Sheila. “Our next public fundraiser will be a Valentine’s Day event at Big Mama’s Steakhouse.”

The benefits for the kids and families at the tournament go far beyond the games themselves. “We have a big ceremony to open the tournament and to honour the players,” she said.

“Last year we had leaders, counselors and local chiefs as speakers and a youth drumming group who sang a welcoming song and an honouring song to the kids and to the volunteers,” she continued. “It was very powerful for the kids---they all knew that they were there because someone believed in them.”

She said that spectators thoroughly enjoyed the tournament and the opening ceremony last year. “You look into the crowd and see babies and grandparents and whole families enjoying this huge connection. They come away knowing that this was more than a hockey sticks and a puck,” she said. “It’s beyond the game---it’s about community and caring and support.”

For more information about the tournament, including how to become a sponsor, contact Sheila 250-392-3902 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Vice President Pam Myers at 250-394-4941 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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