For the first time, women will compete in ice hockey at the annual 55+ BC Games, Sept. 11-15 in Kimberley and Cranbrook. Comox Valley residents Jain Banham, Michele Claveau and Sue Diewert are part of the Zone 2 women’s hockey team that will represent Vancouver Island North.
Formerly dubbed the BC Seniors Games, this year’s event is expected to attract about 2,200 people.
“Which is down from normal,” said Zone 2 director Paul Kingan, noting 246 North Island athletes have signed up. “Out of that 246, from the Comox Valley we have 59 participants going.
“There’s 101 (Zone 2 athletes) who are attending the Games for the first time,” he added.
The multi-sport event offers activities from archery to whist. Other sports include ice curling, pickleball, badminton, bowling, soccer, swimming, tennis, golf, and track and field.
“We have a ton of golfers going up,” Kingan said.
Organizers have been adding activities since the Games started 30 years ago. Last year in Vernon, ladies soccer was introduced.
“Unfortunately, we did not get the response this year,” said Kingan, who sits on several boards with the Games Society. “But we know from talking to the three teams that it’s a function of where the Games are being held. They’ve all guaranteed us that they will be back in the fold for next year’s Games in Kelowna.”
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