Program all about GUTS
Six-week summer camps starting soon
By Ian McInroy – Barrie Examiner
The Barrie Ball Hockey Club will have GUTS this summer.
Ontario Growing Up Through Sports (GUTS) is a not-for-profit corporation that uses 100% of all donated funds to help financially disadvantaged kids play ball hockey at the club’s six-week long Sport Summer Camps, as well as supporting other charitable causes in the community.
Using 100% of the proceeds from its Sport Summer Camps, the club will be supporting GUTS and giving youngsters who might not otherwise have the resources a chance to take part in the camps or the regular season league.
The Barrie club’s involvement with GUTS is just getting off the ground this year and it expects to support more than 50 kids in the city this summer, according to camp co-ordinator Laura Broley.
“Unfortunately, there are so many families in our community who just don’t have the financial means to give their child the chance to grow up through sports,” says Broley.
“GUTS is important because it seeks to eliminate that statement altogether by making the impossible possible and putting a smile on the faces of countless children and their families.”
The camps are open to all children — of all ages and abilities — whether they are new to the sport or have played for years. The camp starts July 2.
“Ball hockey is a great sport for youth because it is an affordable way for them to get up off the couch, get active, meet new friends and learn about teamwork, commitment, discipline and physical fitness,” says Broley, adding it can be enjoyed by children of all abilities.
“The Barrie Ball Hockey Club has recently developed its PUC (People with Unique Characteristics) League for players who may not want to participate in the other leagues offered at the club,” she adds.
“They can meet every week to simply have some fun playing the sport. With the support of GUTS and other volunteers, there will always be a place for kids of all skill levels, abilities and circumstances at ball hockey clubs across Ontario.”
There is another unique aspect of the Summer Hockey Camps, Broley adds.
“It actually gets kids involved in helping kids. Campers not only have the opportunity to develop their hockey skills, learn important life lessons and have lots of fun, but their registration will also allow them to help their peers. GUTS is a way of mobilizing the ball hockey community to help give back to the communities we are in.”
Mike Genereux has two boys playing ball hockey in one of the club’s regular leagues and likes what the sport has to offer.
“Ball hockey gets them out and active and they learn to be a team player,” he says, before his son’s minor atom/novice game. “My boys love it here, they love the atmosphere and they learn the strategies, rules and positions of the game. It’s a good lead up to hockey.”
Each day the summer camps will have lots for the kids to learn, including skills development with passing and shooting, team building passing games, dodgeball games, scrimmages, a four-corners shootout game, more drills and other activities. Youngsters bring their own lunch and snacks (peanut free) along with a water bottle, hat and sunscreen as well as hockey gloves, stick, shin pads, jock or jill and helmet. All belongings must be labeled with the child’s first and last name.
For information about GUTS or the Summer Hockey Camps or to register, call the Barrie Ball Hockey Club at 705-721-0198 or visit www.ballhockey.com and follow the links to the Barrie club.
