The hockey season is now in full swing. And there are no better indicators of that then the recent announcements of upcoming Aboriginal hockey tournaments in Ontario and Quebec.
The Annual CREE Senior Hockey and Broomball Tournament is back for its 31st year. Scheduled to take place from Thursday December 8 to Sunday December 11 at the Air Creebec Centre in Val-d’Or, the tournament is organized by Cree Regional Events & Entertainment and Cree Nation Recreation Directors.
Over 60 men’s and women’s teams are expected to compete for over $75,000 in prize money.
Teams will participate in the following categories:
• CLASS “A” HOCKEY (10 TEAMS)
• CLASS “B1” HOCKEY (10 TEAMS)
• CLASS “B2” HOCKEY (10 TEAMS)
• OLD TIMERS HOCKEY 40+ (10 TEAMS)
• WOMENS’ HOCKEY (8 TEAMS)
• WOMEN’S BROOMBALL (12 TEAMS)
• WOMEN’S RECREATIONAL BROOMBALL 30+ (6 TEAMS)
Charles Hester, Recreation Director in Waskaganish, has been involved in organizing this tournament since 2004, in addition to a number of hockey camps and other activities in Waskaganish and other communities.
According to Hester, “We have a lot of negative influences in our communities, like drugs and alcohol. Hockey keeps our kids focused on what’s important and provides a possible way out if they work hard enough.”
The tournament has also become an important part of the local economy in Val-d’Or as fans and players alike flock to the town, filling hotels, enjoying local restaurants and perhaps doing a little Christmas shopping.
More information on the tournament is available on Facebook. Just do a search on “31st Annual CREE Senior Hockey and Broomball Tournament” to visit the tournament’s event page.
The 31st Annual CREE Senior Hockey and Broomball Tournament is not the only big tournament happening that weekend. The 1st Annual Aboriginal Men’s Hockey Tournament is also being held December 8-11 at the Tim Horton Event Centre in Cochrane, Ontario.
The brainchild of Christopher Hunter, Recreation Director for the Taykwa Tagamou First Nation, the objective of this tournament is to bring together people from Native communities across Ontario and Quebec as well as raise funds for Recreation Department projects in the Taykwa Tagamou First Nation.
“Taykwa Tagamou Nation Recreation’s ultimate goal is to raise funds for its recreational programs and leisure activities,” said Hunter, while announcing the tournament. “With this acquired funding through this sporting event, TTN Recreation will also be able to sponsor its band members to pursue their athletic ambitions, whichever recreation or sport they choose.”
The Aboriginal Men’s Hockey Tournament will feature 12 teams vying for $20,000 in prize money. Team entry fee is $2000 and each participating team is guaranteed to play four games.
The tournament will feature a Monster Bingo on December 8, with over $24,000 in cash prizes to be won. The tournament will also host a concert featuring live music and a DJ on December 10. Both the Monster Bingo and concert will take place at the Tim Horton Event Centre.
“This hockey tournament is in its first year and we, the Taykwa Tagamou Nation, hope it becomes an annual event,” said Hunter.
“It has taken over five years to envision, draft, blueplan, map out, and materialize this hockey tournament. To construct an event at this magnitude requires a lot of networking with other businesses and potential sponsors. One of the unique features of this tournament is adding the monster bingo to the event. I welcome everyone to come to this event.”
For more info on the 1st Annual Aboriginal Men’s Tournament contact:
Christopher Hunter
705-272-4054 phone
705-272-5785 fax
pimatisiwin@hotmail.com
