By Scott Roblin

Sledge Hockey Jamboree puts spotlight on growing women’s game

Jan 14, 2019 | 11:45 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – It was a weekend that Medicine Hat Adaptive Sport and Recreation could have only dreamed of a few years ago, with a large turnout at their first Sledge Hockey Jamboree.

Junior and intermediate teams from Calgary made the trip down the Trans-Canada Highway for the first time to face local teams in a series of six games over the weekend at the Family Leisure Centre.

One of the more unique sessions came on Saturday however, as Canadian Women’s Sledge Hockey hosted a free open ‘try-it’ practice for women in the Medicine Hat area.

Close to 20 women hit the ice for the sledge hockey basics session, including local Desirea Agar who strapped into a sled for the first time.

Agar said she wanted to expand her sporting horizons, something she added many adults shy away from as they get older.

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“Knowing that I wouldn’t know what I was doing and having the opportunity to try something completely new,” said Aegar. “Completely new movements and skills that I’ve never experienced before, also having the perspective of being brand new at something. Adults don’t try new things anymore, so that challenge was pretty enticing for me.”

Participants were instructed on how to pilot, stop, and turn on their sleds before getting used to stickhandling with both hands.

Once the ladies got the basics down, coaches dropped the puck on a scrimmage that tested the dexterity and coordination of the sledge hockey newcomers.

Agar said the experience gave her a greater appreciation for the skill it takes to excel at the sport at a high level.

“I’ve skated my whole life,” she said. “Obviously it’s completely different, but you think you should be able to get from point A to point B and you can’t because it’s so hard.”

Canadian national team member Alanna Mah came down from Edmonton to run the camp, providing a decade of experience to those on the Family Leisure Centre ice.

She said the Medicine Hat skaters were extremely eager to learn and was encouraged to see so many women wanting to grow the local sledge hockey community.

“In past events we’ve had some problems with numbers, but this had no problem,” said Mah. “It’s great to see so many women trying it, which is obviously really, really good for the sport. Our biggest struggle is growing the game for women, so it’s great to see a lot of women out here trying.”

Medicine Hat Adaptive Sport and Recreation and Special Olympics Alberta – Medicine Hat meanwhile will be teaming up for their FUNdamentals youth multi-sport program starting on Tuesday, which will see programming created for kids with and without disabilities to enjoy sports together.

Despite falling a few times, Agar has now caught the sledge hockey bug and said Saturday’s practice likely won’t be her last time testing her skills.

“It’s really humbling to see the community that surrounds sledge hockey is really nice and welcoming,” she said. “So yeah, I’ll probably be back.”