Saturday Yorkton's hockey season was extended with a ball hockey tournament at the SIGN facility on Broadway St. West. Tournament committee chair Casey Manz reports 14 teams of anywhere between eight to 14 players as well as officials and team supporters were on hand to participate in the event which was a fund raiser for Yorkton KidSport. KidSport is a local charity which provides local youth an opportunity to take part in sports activities in Yorkton. Typically KidSport provides money for registration fees, for example.
Manz says she recalled the success of a similar event held at TAPPS on Broadway several years ago. In looking for a sport based activity to raise much needed funds for KidSport, Manz suggested the tournament which was accepted by the organization which began to organize the event.
The entry fee for the tournament was $300 per team. Some of the teams were sponsored through their business which brought in anywhere from $500 to $1,000 per team. Other teams collected pledges, some of which collected up to $2,000 in pledges. All funds raised will stay in Yorkton and be used for youth participation in sports in the city, Manz reports.
Each game pits two teams of four players and one goalie against each other on a paved surface. The game, essentially the same as hockey, is fairly free flowing with few hard and fast rules, Manz points out.
Manz says the event was very successful thanks to the participation of local business sponsors and all the players who came out to enjoy what turned out to be a great day for ball hockey.
"We are so proud of our community for supporting KidSport," comments Amber Zaharia, KidSport committee member. The first annual STIX on Broadway Street Hockey Tourna-ment raised just over $19,000.
The tournament Champions were the Barley Burners.
The Superstore Presidents came in second.
The Phantoms were the B Side Champs.
The award for Most Pledges Raised went to the 64th Battery Black Sheep who raised over $2,000.
The award for Best Dressed Team went to Cap'n Crunch and the Cereal Killers.
Yorkton KidSport truly appreciates all of the support that came from local businesses, teams and players, and community members. This event would not have taken place without the support of sponsors, community participation, and volunteers who were on board as soon as this event was announced. The funds raised from this event go directly towards funding the registration costs of kids to play sports in Yorkton.
Last year Yorkton KidSport funded $30,000 to help kids participate in community sport programs.
The committee is already excited for next year's street hockey tournament and is encouraging teams to start their off season training now.
