The first Vancouver Island Aboriginal Youth Hockey Camp was held in Courtenay on March 30-31 with 20 boys and girls participating, many coming from the North Island.
The two-day camp included on-ice sessions broken up by dry-land training and a healthy meal. It was led by Gary Kremsater, who recruited volunteer coaches Gord Lenox, Carver Everson, Quinton Lenox and Allison Abraham.
Combined, the coaches had an impressive resume including recruiting, coaching and playing at a high level themselves. The coaching staff was able to develop individual skill, team play and motivate great work ethic from all the players, a camp observer noted. It was evident that everyone involved had a love of the game which created a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
Kremsater was quoted: “Keep kids out of hot water. Put them on ice.”
Special thanks to Naomi Coutts from Wachiay Friendship Centre for feeding the players and to Brian McLean Chevrolet for their support.
The camp was sponsored by the Vancouver Island Aboriginal Sport Rec & Physical Activity Partners Council who organize athletic camps and trainings for a variety of sports. Through the efforts of Kim Leming, Vancouver Island Regional Coordinator, and Allison Abraham, member of the women’s Ecofish Courtenay Whalers hockey team, the camp was able to be developed. For more information about upcoming aboriginal sports camps contact Kim Leming at kleming@bcaafc.com.
– Vancouver Island Aboriginal Youth Hockey Camp