by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
BEACHBURG — “What do we want to do this year,” shouted Dave Alexander as he looked at close to 30 children dressed to play hockey.
“Have fun,” was the answer shouted back by those kneeling and sitting on the ice.
This was the first day of Kyla’s Kids Club, which is held at the Beachburg Arena. Sessions are Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m. and noon. It is open to Whitewater Region children.
The inaugural season for this club was last year and it was successful, said Hugh Martin, manager of the Beachburg Arena and father of Kyla Simmons, who died almost two years ago at 23 years old.
A hockey player since the age of six, she was instrumental in the development of the Ottawa Valley Women’s Hockey League and played on five house league hockey teams, along with coaching minor hockey.
“The kids loved her,” Mr. Martin said.
He said the young skaters, who are between the ages of 4 and 12, will learn not only the fundamentals of hockey, which includes skating, stick-handling and shooting, but valuable life skills and the importance of team work and sportsmanship.
Back on the ice, Mr. Alexander told the youngsters they will be learning new things and they will be challenging.
“Sometimes you will get frustrated, but that’s ok,” he said, standing tall before dressed for the ice. “Remember, you want to have fun and we don’t want you to get too frustrated.
“There will be some things you will learn quickly and other things that could take you four, five, six or even 10 times before you learn it,” Mr. Alexander stressed.
“But the important thing is to to just keep coming back and trying. It will all work out.”
Listening to the children out in the hallway as they prepare for today’s first skate, Mr. Martin noted there are 49 sponsors who each donated a minimum $200 or more to the program and another $15,000 was raised at this past August’s golf tournament. The program is free to the skaters and equipment is provided, also at no cost, if they need it.
Mr. Martin noted some families do make donations towards the program.
There are 50 youngsters enrolled in the program this year and Mr. Martin is hoping to double that number over the next few weeks.
Standing on the ice, Mr. Alexander drops down and lays on the ice. He then explains to the children that to get up they go on all fours, then one knee and push themselves up with their hands on the knee that is up.
“Good job,” he said to a youngster trying it with him.
Last year, 78 kids started with 62 graduating by the end of March. About 45 players went on to minor hockey, which is also a goal of the organizers. Mr. Martin said minor hockey registration is decreasing, and this is one way of introducing children to hockey without parents forking out the money if they don’t know if their child will like the game or not.
For more information, call 613-582-7040.
