Page 32 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 111

32 Issue #111 April 2022 www.sportsenergynews.com

Optimist Minor Ball Hockey is Back!

By Christine Ouellet activity where youth discover is to finance the activity and will be a heavy reliance on the
the real value of teamwork and support youth who are financially parents to provide them with the
fter a two-year pause due develop friendships. restricted. Ball hockey attracts child’s sports history when they
Ato COVID, registration for Barr said, “It is a very youth who play hockey during register.
Optimist Minor Ball Hockey is affordable sport for those who the winter season and those who Barr went on to emphasize
now open. John Barr, the new have never played.
don’t get a chance to play ice young girls’ participation in
president of the Optimist Ball hockey; we charge 150$ for Barr adds, “We always the league. “We want girls;
Hockey league, is looking to registration and all you need is a thought that the best player on we want them to participate.
enroll as many kids as possible, certified helmet, hockey gloves, the team should ensure that Girls’ hockey is becoming very
around 200 boys and girls, to fill a jock or jill, and shin and elbow their teammates are just as popular. Unlike ice hockey,
the 14 teams per division. The
pads. We want to make ball competitive, as popular. So, to where girls often play with girls
spring season runs from May hockey accessible to all kids. achieve this, we created a 2-point and boys with boys, it is different
1st to the last week of June. When we see a kid who can’t system: you get 2 points for an with ball hockey. There are
As soon as the Colts finish afford it, we try to accommodate assist and 1 point for a goal. In separate change rooms for girls.
their season, the ice comes out them. We don’t want them not that respect, you are better to We want them to come out and
at the Cornwall Civic Complex playing the game because they give your teammate who may be as much a part of the game as
and once the preparation process don’t have the equipment.” not be as good as you, a chance the boys. It doesn’t matter to us
is over, it is ball hockey time for The Optimist Club, the to score a goal. It’s incentive to whether a player is not as good
kids aged 8 to 15. Boys and girls work as a team. You can’t win or better than another one. Once
league’s key sponsor, is a non-
play together on the same team, profit organization and its goal by yourself - this is something you are on the floor, you are a
as the league is meant to be a fun that we continue to enforce.’’ 5-player team. Brothers and
Warner’s Insurance presents “There are a lot of very good sisters can be part of the same
team depending on their level,
Member of the Month parents that encourage team and that’s awesome for moms
participation. But it starts with
SHEILA BU
SHEILA BUSH the coaches – they must ensure and dads as they don’t have
SH
to split up and go in different
Home and Career: Sheila lives on the Bush family homestead in Johnstown. She that the game is fun. We also
and her late husband had eight children. Currently there are five surviving: Ed, Cathy, closely monitor the first 3-to 4 directions.”

Jim, Tom, and Maggie. Sheila was a Registered Nurse for 22 years in the Labour and
Delivery Department at the Winchester District Hospital. games to ensure that there isn’t It is important for Barr that
Volunteering and Interests: Sheila is the past-President of the Spencerville Agricultural a team that is too dominating. If everyone understands the league
Society. She loves golf, bird watching, and curling, and she fills her indoor time with

knitting. Sheila discovered OSGA District 8 when she competed in the 2021 Golf it is the case, kids will be moved is about having fun. “The last
Tournament at the Upper Canada Course and won a gold medal in the +75 years age
group. to create more equity among the thing I want to hear after 4-5
Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sheila kept busy knitting and reading. She teams. Imagine a kid who comes games is a parent telling me that
enjoys watching different sports on tv.
For more OSGA District 8 information contact our District Coordinator at lvickers1262@ to the Complex on a 30-degree their son or daughter doesn’t
gmail.com or visit https://district8.osga55plus.ca or follow us on Facebook.
Activities during COVID-19: During the summer months, Dale was occupied with golf day to play and end the game like it. Yes, there may be a few
and kayaking on the St. Lawrence River. She enjoys lots of walks in her new Iroquois neighbourhood. She is an avid reader and 8-0 and gets the “bucket”, while of those, but I don’t want it to
likes cooking hearty meals and soups from scratch.
For more OSGA District 8 information contact our District Coordinator at lvickers1262@gmail.com or visit https://district8. the swimming pool at home is happen, because to me it means
osga55plus,ca or follow us on Facebook. calling their name. This is very that I failed that kid. The ball
Home • Auto • Business • Farm Insurance difficult for a kid.” hockey league has been going

on for nearly 30 years, it is a
In the past years, the league
had the benefit of a grading long-standing popular sport
played in Cornwall and I want
system for the kids, where
Local player matches would help it to continue that way. I want
everybody to have fun and not
www.warnerbrokers.ca Service to form a balanced team. But worry about losing 8-0.”
Online
since there has been a pause
613-932-7210 • info@warnerbrokers.ca Quotes over the last 2 years, the league John Barr is hopeful that it
doesn’t have that tool. There will be a great season.