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Vegreville & District Minor Hockey Association to Host U-13 A Provincial Championships
Vegreville & District Minor Hockey Association to Host U-13 A Provincial Championships
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Since the first week of November members of the Vegreville & District Minor Hockey Association’s (VDMHA) organizing committee have been holding weekly meetings in preparation for the upcoming U-13 A Provincial Championships in Vegreville.
The exciting four-day event will be held at the Wally Fedun Arena from March 20-23. Trevor Warawa, Chair of the eight-member organizing committee said a total of eight teams will be competing in Provincials.
“It should be a great event,” said Warawa. A total of eight teams, with approximately 160 players and coaches will be competing in Provincials. He hopes the ‘Barn’ will be packed with family members and community members throughout the event. At least 400 spectators are expected to take in the sporting spectacle.
“It’s going to be pretty big for our community.” The last time VDMHA hosted Provincials was back in 2016. While members of the VDMHA executive had toyed with the idea of hosting the event in recent years, nothing was put to paper or bid presented to Hockey Alberta, until this past fall.
“I’m very proud of everyone on the committee,” added Warawa, as they have been working diligently to put a competitive bid together and work out the all the details of what needs to happen to host a successful event. All that needs to be worked out are the logistics, which Hockey Alberta will assist the committee with in the near future.
Having sufficient accommodation, restaurants and recreational facilities were major factors taken into consideration to host an event of this magnitude.
Warawa said local sponsorship will be needed, and pointed out that there will be lots of opportunities to have local businesses highlighted throughout the event. “Key one of the key sponsors will be the Town of Vegreville,” added Warawa. Two of the games will be aired on the radio, and Warawa said livestreaming will be available through the LiveBarn app.
Opening Ceremonies will be held before the action begins. Warawa said they’re hoping to showcase Ukrainian heritage and incorporate as much local flavour into the Opening Ceremonies as possible. There will be a ceremonial puck drop before the Wranglers take to the ice for the inaugural game.
Mayor Tim MacPhee stated, “On behalf of council and myself, we would like to congratulate Vegreville Minor Hockey and its provincial committee on receiving the news to be the host of the U13 Provincials this March.
I know our whole community will do a great job of showcasing our town. This event will have a lot of benefits in the economic spinoffs to our local businesses, and I know that everyone in our community will take a lot of pride in hosting all the players, parents and families from all over our province.”
