The sport of floorball continues to grow in 麻豆社国产and the game's connection with the 麻豆社国产Minor Hockey Association (SMHA) has proven to be beneficial for both sports.
麻豆社国产resident Michael Lindgren introduced the sport to 麻豆社国产initially at Canada Day celebrations in 2011 and from there moved to regular Monday night sessions at Brennan Park for youth aged four to 14.
He said Monday night sessions are back again this year and adults might be hitting the floor too.
"It's looking really good for us this year," he said. "Most of the older kids have been with me for three years now."
Lindgren hooked up with the SMHA shortly after introducing floorball to 麻豆社国产and he said it's been a great partnership. Last year the SMHA and Lindgren booked the Howe Sound Secondary School gym for Wednesdays to help local hockey players work on stick handling and other floorball skills that transfer to hockey.
"Floorball has become a really big part of the hockey community in Squamish," he said. "It's a good form of off ice training during the season and it really benefits hockey players skills. It's well known in 麻豆社国产that there is a lack of ice time for kids and this gives them more training opportunities it's a perfect fit for Squamish."
He said Monday sessions are made up of about 60 per cent SMHA members but for lots of kids and parents it's an entry point into what hockey could be like.
"We get a lot of parents who are not sure if they want to put their kid in hockey or not and floorball gives them a sense of that atmosphere," he said. "It's affordable, we provide all the equipment and you get the same sort of feeling as hockey."
Lindgren said one of the things he's pleased with is he's seeing many of the same faces come back year after year.
"I'm not losing any kids," he said. "It keeps growing and I think people like it because there's no commitment and it's all about having fun. You can sign up for ten sessions if you want or just drop in."
He said Monday nights are attracting 110 boys and girls of all ages. Lindgren said interest in floorball has traveled north to Whistler and he will be setting up some sort of league there. With teams in North and West Vancouver, there are several opportunities for locals to travel and play other teams in exhibition play.
One of the local highlights for floorball this summer was a visit from the Canadian National team floorball head coach David Jansson. Lindgren said Jansson was impressed by the skill of 麻豆社国产youth and hopes to bring more big name guests to town.
Monday night sessions are underway, with kids aged four to seven hitting the floor at the Brennan Park auditorium from 5 to 6 p.m., kids aged seven to 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. and youth from 11 to 14 playing from 7 to 8 p.m, There is a $6 fee for drop in at any of the sessions. All equipment is provided and all skill levels are welcome.
For more information on floorball, visit www.sea2skyfloorball.com
