Four Volt Hockey players from Fort McMurray on their way to the WC in Sweden
Four young residents from Fort McMurray are traveling to Sweden next month to participate in the World Cup Volt Hockey.
It is an accessibility sport that pits three-on-three in a hockey-like format with participants using electrically operated chairs with joystick controls.
The sport is aimed at individuals with movement needs.
Jacey Gamroth, Volt Hockey Coordinator with Variety Alberta said they have seen a great show of support from Fort McMurray.
“We have some very eager families here in Fort McMurray, who we love to see,” expressed Gamroth.
She went on to explain that they have seen many different people participating in the new sport, including those who have wanted to play with their able-bodied friends.
“In Calgary and Edmonton, we have a lot of sibling pairs where one sibling might have a disability and the other might be able-bodied or friends as well. People want to play with their able-bodied friends and they’re more than welcome to,” Gamroth said.
“From kids, parents and our coaches, the reactions are overwhelmingly positive. It’s very likely the first time many of these kids have been able to play a sport independently,” Gamroth expressed. “A lot of our kids like that aspect of going fast. I think it’s something that a lot of them have never experienced before, that it goes fast on their own.”
Of the seven players joining Team Alberta to compete in the Volt Hockey World Cup, four will come from Fort McMurray.
Congratulations to Joshua Fitzpatrick, Stephen Liu, Olivia Norman & Blake Fielder.
World Cup Volt Hockey 2022 takes place in Gävle, Sweden on September 16-18.