Connie Tabbert
Editor
BEACHBURG — Kyla’s Kids Club is a free hockey program for children in Whitewater Region Township between the ages of 4 and 9 who have never played hockey.
Kyla was the stepdaughter of Hugh Martin, the manager of the Beachburg Arena, who passed away last year at the young age of 23.
“She had a big influence on myself, a lot of the children, and a lot of the people in general in our community,” he said. “She had been in the rink coaching since she was 10. She played all her minor hockey through here since she was six. She was probably involved in the arena for at least 17 years.”
Kyla was also instrumental in getting the Ottawa Valley Women’s Hockey League going, noting she played on five different teams, which helped grow the sport, he recalled.
Due to her tragic death, Mr. Martin said there will be a focus on mental health awareness for this program, and he has contacted the Robbie Dean Centre. The bulletin board for the program will be in the green colour representing mental health, and the Let’s Talk number will be in view for all to see.
The program is named after Kyla because she loved to coach kids and the kids all had respect for her, he said.
This program is for all Whitewater Region Township children between the ages of 4 and 9 who are not signed up to play hockey, he said. There are some parents who aren’t able, or just don’t want to, pay upwards of $400 for a child to participate in a sport they may not even like, he explained.
“This is a way of introducing kids to hockey,” he said. “I don’t want to take away from minor hockey, but if we can introduce hockey to kids whose parents don’t play hockey, for example, that would mean more kids for minor hockey.”
Registration for the program is Saturday, Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the arena. While there is no cut-off, Mr. Martin would like to see at least 50 youngsters participate in the program.
“In minor hockey, I would like to see nothing more than every child have a chance and with this program, with it being sponsored, with free equipment and free ice time, we’re hoping this is exactly what needs to be done to help get these kids active and involved in sports and in healthy living with kids their own age,” Mr. Martin said.
Hockey can teach children so much which carries on through their life, he said. They make friendships that last a lifetime, learn how to work on a team and learn how to accept discipline.
“Through this program, we want to give every child a chance to try hockey and enjoy it,” Mr. Martin said. “That is the ultimate goal, to see every child out there play hockey and enjoy it.”
Mr. Martin said Joanne Caldwell from Renfrew recreation and Glenn Arthur from the Arnprior recreation association helped make this program a reality.
“Without these two, probably nothing would have happened,” he said.
There are many sponsors for the program including the Canadian Tire Jump Start program and the Ottawa District Hockey Association, as well as Warrior Gear, Beachburg Recreation Association, Beachburg Volunteer Firefighters Association, Sleepy Haven Motel and Pembroke Flea Market, Township of Whitewater Region and SunSign Graphics.
Mike Bradbury, who operates the Stride for Excellence Program, is the coach and mentor of the kid’s club, Mr. Martin said. However, he will have other volunteers to help with different aspects of the program, such as coaching, helping kids learn to skate or even handle a puck or stick. If you would like to help coach or volunteer, contact Mr. Martin at the arena.
The program itself will run Sept. 27 until late March. He expects, depending on the minor hockey program, that it will run Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. and possibly Wednesday nights after school. Each session will be about one hour.
Other Beachburg Arena news
Public skating starts Saturday, Sept. 6 and is from 7 to 9 p.m.
The Whitewater Firefighters Golf Tournament Beachburg Station is Sept. 6 at Indian River Golf Club. Teams are needed and it’s $60 a person. This is a fundraiser for the children’s playground area at the agricultural grounds.
The Beachburg Puck and Ball tournament is Sept. 12-14. Teams are needed for the women’s and men’s divisions.
Minor hockey begins Saturday, Sept. 27.
There is also opportunity for people to rent the ice as well.
The Beachburg Bull Pen Canteen is open every day from 6 to 10 a.m. and then 4 to 9 p.m.
