12
TOTAL SPORTS QUINTE
MINOR BALL HOCKEY
Season Underway with Covid 19 Restrictions By: B.Q.M.B.H.L
About Belleville and Quinte Minor Ball Hockey League NHL player and Belleville resident Andrews Shaw always credits the training he received playing ball hockey for improving not only his conditioning but his hand eye coordination and stick handling in the off season. For existing hockey players it’s a great training tool. For others, it is a gateway to hockey. A great way to see if you like hockey or just want a fun spring sport to try new things and make new friends. The Belleville and Quinte area has become a hotbed for the sport of minor ball hockey within the province and country as a whole. This is the 35th year of minor ball hockey in the Belleville and Quinte area. The sport is available for boys and girls ages 3 to 18. House league programs start with a season from the later part of April until the end of June. Rep teams are then formed later in the season from the rosters of the house league programs. “Over the years, we have won and had more than 50 plus Ontario Championships in various age groups,” say Lynn Thibedeau of the organization. Over the years approximately 2,500 players from the area have participated in Provincial Championships. The Belleville organization has 7 national Championships and 3 Finalist. Thirty-three area players have played for team Canada at the World Junior Championships in the past. The timing of the season really is attractive to parents as it does not interfere with summer vacations but allows for a different activity and diversion outside of other “core” activities potentially. Covid Protocols will be adapted as mentioned, from local health unit directions and the organization intends to provide a safe and fun environment for players of all skill types to enjoy the great sport of ball hockey. Volunteers and coaches are always welcome. Covid protocols will restrict numbers of players and volunteers but applications are always welcome.
The organization of the 2021 Minor Ball hockey Season is underway. Expectations are high as the kids are eager to play! We will be running a modified league this year due to some of the Covid19 restrictions. It will be similar to the format ice hockey is using with some adjustments. We will be limited to the number of players on each team this year, so that will result in less floor time available therefore the league will only be able to run at about 60% or less of our normal capacity. As a result, we will have to put limits on the number of players in each age group. We also have a large group of players who decided to take the option of rolling over their registration from the cancelled 2020 season to this year. So, they “are already signed up” and have a spot in our league for 2021. 2021 registration opened for new players at the beginning of February. Registration is being run on a first come basis until divisions are full, which won’t take long. Expectations are that most divisions will fill up quickly due to limited capacity and the enthusiasm of playing some ball hockey. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CHILD PLAY BALL HOCKEY IN THE 2021 SEASON The B.Q.M.B.H.L. provides an organized indoor environment (a hockey arena) where children 3 to 18 years old can play ball hockey with their team. We organize the teams, we provide officials and timekeepers, we even provide most of the goalie equipment. You provide the great attitude and be ready to have a BALL!!! The website for both the Quinte and the Belleville Minor Ball Hockey League is at bellevilleballhockey.ca. The Quinte League plays out of the Trenton Community Gardens in Trenton, and the Belleville League plays out of the newly renovated Quinte Sports and Wellness Center. The new 2021 season is approaching. Please sign up and pay online to guarantee yourself a spot in our League. Avoid the disappointment and sign up today! Why Wait? Please take the time to ensure you are looking at the correct information for your particular League. We are offering a streamlined registration process for the new Season.
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BellevilleBallHockey.ca
