Known as big supporters of muscular dystrophy, members of the Penticton Fire department decided to give power chair soccer a shot.
The ninth annual B.C. Storm Power Soccer tournament was held at Skaha Lake Middle School and Princess Margaret Secondary Saturday and Sunday.
Cathy Cunningham of the Okanagan Storm team said it was great to have the local firefighters play.
“The firefighters raise about $1 million across Canada for muscular dystrophy, so they wanted to find out a bit more about the sport,” she said.
Mike Wade discovered power chair soccer is tough. He was put in goal and watched four shots get past him.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Wade, adding he would play again. “There is lots of skill when you watch those guys play. You don’t realize it.”
Andrew Bird also played for the first time and said it was great. For him he was trying to get used to the controls.
“It’s something else,” he said. “It’s nice to see the guys out and having fun. It’s a happy bunch.”
It was also a learning experience for Bird who doesn’t know the rules. More important to him is showing support.
“Just to be in their shoes and see what it’s like.”
Cunningham said that visiting players enjoyed the weekend. Players came from different areas in the province, including Angela Plasteras of Nanaimo, to play.
She made the trip because there aren’t many teams to play in Nanaimo and said this is a good tournament.
“It’s the only opportunity to play,” said Plasteras, who played goal.
It’s her fifth time playing and Plasteras likes the competition she gets.
“It’s just fun to play a game that is first and foremost an able body sport.”
Plasteras’ mother April said the sport is perfect for them.
“They can focus on competing and teamwork without trying to figure out how to fit in,” said April.
Cunningham said the level of play has improved. Cunningham noted there were fewer participants, but that was due to players completing university exams and couldn’t make the trip.
“Most teams have some new players this year, but they weren’t quite ready to jump into a tournament. Next year we expect our numbers to be up again,” said Cunningham.
As for winners, the provincial division was won by the Okanagan team featuring Penticton’s Daniel Cunningham, Sunny Khun Khun of Vernon and Kelowna’s Ian Wright. In the Open division, team Red won, which featured Okanagan players Steve Strangward and Harry Hutton joined by two from Vancouver and Nanaimo.
Cunningham said that local businesses play a big part in helping the event be a success by donating goods and funds to help run the tournament. They rely on donations to keep the registration low for the athletes. She said they couldn’t do it without them.
Cunningham said they are still determined to get more locals playing. Their goal is to get a team of eight then apply for gym time.
“I know we have the people, but we can’t seem to get them to come out and commit to the sport,” she said.
Currently they practice every Sunday in Kelowna, but she is confident they can get time in a local gym if they get more players. Cunningham said if anyone knows anyone that uses a power wheelchair and has good control of it to let them know about the sport. The only cost is the foot guard. She can be reached at c.cunningham@shaw.ca.
