Newcomer to Victoria starting special needs hockey in Colwood

When Georgia Ascroft hears her father mention the word B次元官网网址渉ockeyB次元官网网址� her face lights up.

B次元官网网址淚 like skating the best,B次元官网网址� she says with an ear-to-ear grin.

It took six years for Gus Ascroft to get his daughter Georgia interested in skating, an 11-year-old with Down Syndrome and autism. It took hockey to get her on the ice. B次元官网网址淪he just wasnB次元官网网址檛 interested until there was a puck there.B次元官网网址�

At their home last year in Kamloops, getting Georgia on a team wasnB次元官网网址檛 easy B次元官网网址� mainstream hockey was too busy, but her father found a hockey team specifically for developmentally challenged children, the Okanagan Wildcats.

After moving to Saanich this year, Gus searched for a similar program, but it didnB次元官网网址檛 exist, so decided to create one himself. B次元官网网址淚f you want to do something these days you have to do it yourself,B次元官网网址� Gus said.

The elder Ascroft quickly found ice time in Greater Victoria was tough to secure, especially during the day. He admits it was frustrating. B次元官网网址淭he only time I could get was 4 a.m. on a Thursday,B次元官网网址� Gus remarked.

Fortunately he met up with with Kevin De Jong, president of Puckmasters in Colwood, who had been looking into offering hockey programs for special needs people. The facility has a half-size hockey rink.

B次元官网网址淲e want to help out another group that can love the game,B次元官网网址� De Jong said. B次元官网网址淲e train anyone from band new players to pros. We want these kids to be a part of something.B次元官网网址�

Gus wants to create an inclusive, special needs hockey team based at Puckmasters, for any developmentally challenged kid from across Greater Victoria.

B次元官网网址淲ith hockey Georgia is part of a group and sheB次元官网网址檚 accepted. ItB次元官网网址檚 a community theme with physical activity ... We are hoping she can make some friendships,B次元官网网址� Gus said. B次元官网网址淪ome of the biggest hockey fans are special needs.B次元官网网址�

Gus also noted many special needs kids spend hours at the rink watching their siblings hockey games and never get the chance to get on the ice. B次元官网网址淓ven if they are helped when they are hitting the puck, they are still playing.B次元官网网址�

The team is looking for players younger than 16 years old. Seven players are already signed up, some as young as five.  The team is looking for a roster of about 16 players.

Parental participation is required and the players do not need any experience with skating or hockey. B次元官网网址淚 am expecting 90 per cent of the kids canB次元官网网址檛 skate,B次元官网网址� Gus said. B次元官网网址淛ust come out and try.B次元官网网址�

For each practice players will suit up in full hockey gear. If families are unable to purchase gear, Gus and De Jong said they will help find subsidy or donated gear.

B次元官网网址淲e want this to be a real hockey practice, not just play time,B次元官网网址� Gus said.

Similar teams already play in Nanaimo, Vernon, Kelowna and Kamloops.

B次元官网网址淚f we can get a presentable team then we will do some fundraising and play some tournaments,B次元官网网址� Gus said.

Gus, 52, has been playing hockey since he was seven years old. He played in minor hockey up to junior-B and still dabbles in the game recreationally. As a career he is a Zamboni driver and B次元官网网址渋ce man,B次元官网网址� as he calls it.

The teamB次元官网网址檚 first practice is Saturday, Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. at Puckmasters. The cost is $125 and runs until the end of March.

For more information on the team call Puckmasters at 250-590-2774. Puckmasters is in the process of creating programs for physically challenged players as well.

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com