The second annual Tri-Port Wild Female Minor Hockey Jamboree took over the Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena in Port Hardy on Saturday, with games going on around the clock featuring the Tri-Port Intro Girls program and the Tri-Port Peewee Wild.
Jamboree organizer/Wild coach Becca Spafford noted the event helps female minor hockey by giving players a chance to see what female hockey is all about. “It kind of gives them the chance to try it without having to commit year-round.”
Tri-Port Peewee Wild head coach Ryan Humphrey agreed, noting it’s also “huge for their confidence — breakaways and things they might not get playing co-ed hockey, they get to do it all playing female hockey and they love it.”
The jamboree was quite the success, with 14 Intro Girls and 16 Peewees all coming out to enjoy the festivities and play hockey.
“Events like this help showcase the spirit of female hockey: the friendships, teamwork and love of the game,” said Tri-Port Female Minor Hockey Coordinator Lisa Brown. “For our younger players, the jamborees provide them with a tournament experience with multiple games, player prizes, raffle table and luncheon, that they might not otherwise experience.”
Jamborees usually mix together players from the female teams with players from the house teams and players from down island, “with intent to build friendships. They are focused on fun, and simply playing hockey. Success is measured by the smiles on the players’ faces, not by the scoreboard. Based on that measure, this year’s jamboree was another great success.”
Brown also wanted to say “Thank you to Becca Spafford for helping to organize. Becca is also an assistant coach for the peewee Wild team. We’re so proud of Becca’s commitment to the Wild program and her passion for female hockey. Thank you to Boni Sharpe, a faithful supporter of our Wild program, who put together the raffle baskets, which were a big hit. Thank you to all the parent volunteers, amazing coaches, midget helpers, refs and rink staff for making the event a success.”
