While the popularity of sledge hockey is growing around the globe, it’s not just a sport for the physically challenged.
The Municipality of Cumberland offered a sledge program at the Parrsboro Lions Arena throughout the winter and its success was shown in the enthusiasm of participants both young and old.
“This is the first time we’ve done it as a six-week program. For the last two years we did a Try-It-Sledge in conjunction with Colchester County during the Fundy Shore Winter Carnival,” municipal recreation programmer Nick Leopold said.
“There was a lot of participation in that program so we decided to offer it as part of our regular programming this year.”
The municipality’s recreation program had six sleds it used in other years. The municipality applied for support via Sport Nova Scotia and secured a loan of 12 additional sleds as well as helmets, sticks and gloves. Also included were practice plans as well as providing training for Leopold, who was quick to pick up on the program coming from a hockey background.
This is the first year the Municipality of Cumberland’s recreation department has offered a six-week sledge hockey program for adults and children. Participation has been strong with approximately 20 adults and children on the ice at each session. The program has been supported by Sport Nova Scotia with the loan of 12 sleds, helmets, sticks and gloves.
“We started with the basics, trying to develop skills like simple skating, stick-handling and passing,” he said.
Leopold said the participants really enjoyed the program.
“They don’t want to come off the ice at the end of each session,” he said. “It’s something really new to them, but the improvement has been quite remarkable.”
Leopold, who also plays men’s league hockey, enjoys being on the sled. He said it’s very much like hockey, but there are some different movements and skills.
“Your workout is completely different,” he said. “It’s a big adjustment turning and stopping, especially for someone who’s used to being on their feet and making those quick stops and turns. For someone who’s used to being on skates and having your hands and feet it’s quite an adjustment.”
Active living coordinator Carolyn Bollwerk said they had an idea of how many people would participate in the program and was very happy with the registration numbers.
“Originally, we thought about having an adults and kids program. The adults really enjoyed the try-it sessions, but Nick suggested we put a call out to see how many would be interested and while we didn’t get enough to have two separate programs it was still a solid number,” Bollwerk said. “It has been lovely to see it grow into a multi-generational program.”
She’s very happy with the number of young people coming out to the sessions, including some who normally don’t participate in a team setting.
Bollwerk said more people are realizing sledge hockey is something for everyone. When it was first proposed several years ago, she wasn’t sure there’d be enough differently able people in the area interested in participating. She was quickly reminded that the sport is for everyone and she has quickly found that to be the case.
“When we first talked about it I didn’t know if there’d be enough people interested, but I’ve been impressed by just how many want to try it out,” she said. “It really is a good form of winter exercise and it’s something for everyone. It’s an all-inclusive sport that everyone can play.”
She’s hoping to bring the program back to Parrsboro next winter and if it’s sustainable over several years she may apply for further grants and possibly expand it to Springhill.
Heather Zschogner had tried the try-it program in previous years and enjoyed taking in the six-week program this year.
“I really enjoyed it, it’s a great way to stay active. It’s something different,” she said. “I’m very active so it wasn’t hard to do. You have to have good core muscles to stay up as well as good upper body strength.”
She’s hoping the program returns next year and would like to see more participants.
Sledge hockey, also known as para hockey, is an adaptation of ice hockey for players with a physical challenge, but from its development in the 1960s at a rehab facility in Sweden, it has expanded to include able-bodied individuals as well.
Para hockey players sit on specially designed sleds with skate blades under the seat.
Sticks have a blade curved at one end and six to eight metal teeth at the other end to assist with moving and propulsion. Other equipment includes a helmet with facemask, shoulder and elbow pads, shin guards and hockey gloves.
Sledge hockey has been part of the Winter Paralympics since 1994 and there are now world championships.