These men, women, boys and girls don't try to get each other out on the board, but they are just as proud of the game. If a particular low-skilled opponent leaves, the best athletes are more likely to retreat.
Welcome to the Wiz Lo Park Ball Hockey League Full Ability Division. Here, 25 players between the ages of 12 and 55 have the chance to film and score that many special needs players have been rejected. Their sweater logo proudly declares "You Can Play".
"There are a wide range of participants," says co-founder Marcus Pratt, whose program was inspired by his son Zachary three years ago. "Zachary is underdeveloped at age 25. (Co-sponsor) Jonathan Wood's son Dylan is 17 years old and is visually behind. Most of the groups suffer from the most common form, Fragile X Syndrome.
Fragile X is a hereditary disorder that causes a variety of problems, including learning disabilities and cognitive impairment.
Leslie Woodiat played in National-level Special Olympics, from swimming dating back to the 1980s to softball, floor and ice hockey, but she was a goalkeeper in all abilities. I found her later career.
"I love to stay active, play here and meet new friends," said Woodiat, who was commended by the Tobiko Sports Hall of Fame for various athletic achievements. rice field. "I lost a couple of years of ball hockey because of COVID-19, but I'm back."
Former Toronto Marie's Jr. and 1973 Memorial Cup Champion Jeff Woodiat's cousin Leslie, ball hockey keeps her figure and many In Special Olympics Sports, he said he would provide useful tips for her own coaching role. She has patterned her style with Sami Jo Small, a stopper for her longtime Canadian women's ice hockey team.
This ball hockey program is Don Mills Donaldsons, collaborated with the special needs ice hockey team Pratt and Wood, who had children with symptoms such as Fragile X Syndrome and Autism. It was developed from diamond. Down syndrome and PTSD. Two men and music teacher / performer Gregg Lawless brought the group to Toronto's premier ball hockey league, Withrow, which has divisions from 4 years old to adult men and women.
This means that All Abilities can use WPBHL referees and timekeepers at the outdoor skating rinks of Wiz Lo Park and Riverdale Park in the city's east end. Their game is 5 to 5 and has a timed shift.
"They are big hockey fans like everyone else, everyone watches on TV and many follow Reefs," Pratt said. "But this opportunity wasn't part of their childhood. Especially after high school, there was no such outlet. Some people participate in the game themselves, others drive (" And you can stay on the bench). It's a great bond there and a great atmosphere in the game.
"People are how good some of the young players are. And I'm amazed at how competitive they are. "
Some high school students who are earning time to volunteer for their diplomas stay around and rush while playing. Make sure the 2-pass or 3-pass rules apply to all goals, or to involve those who are not skilled in eating slowly. Participants loosen the ball. At Thursday night's match, a young vocalist with a bench and floor attitude recommended opening to his teammates or covering his defensive position, but for a pass he said. The rule that first urged ref to shake off the team's goal was not followed.
The evening begins with center circle stretch exercises and team announcements. The news that one player has just been accepted into college is greeted with an enthusiastic stick tap.
"This is the most beautiful thing for me," Laures said. "The best players are 25 to 35 years old and are working hard, but if the ball falls to the side, volunteers can push it to one of the less skilled kids and quickly slow down. Everyone might say "go to Duggy". The person can move it in 30 seconds, give it to someone, or score it himself.
"The best players don't steal the ball from weak players. We don't guide them about it, it's part of the culture they see when they join.
Shootouts are often designed to end the game, giving participants even more thrills. At the end of the spring schedule, you will be awarded the best goal celebrations, the best hockey hair, live broadcasts and other awards. Last Saturday, All Abilities was once again part of WPBHL Championship Day with a special Hockey Night in Canada style introduction.
Lawless was formerly a cancer patient counselor at Camp Trillium, with honesty, respect, fitness and integrity from the English and French Boards of Education.
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"The experience was all really great. I spoke to me when I saw an email inviting my parents to coach here," he said. "These kids love to play hockey, be with friends, score goals, be part of a team, and enjoy the success of others." There is none.
Wood said he hopes the program will be expanded to next season and to other ball hockey leagues.
"When I first issued the notice about the league, I honestly didn't know who would get it, but people from all over the city, not just Wislow, got to know and players started to gather {115. }
"Marcus and I thought we weren't the only parents with children who wanted to play. We started coaching on the floor and soon found that the children were fine. , Gradually returned to the bench and enjoyed it. "
lhornby@postmedia.com
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