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Tim's Kids Sled Hockey Info
Click Here for Brochure About Tim's Kids Sled and Tim's Kids, Inc.
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Tim's Kids Sled Hockey Fall Introductory Sessions Start in September
August 12, 2009 --
The Tim’s Kids Sled Hockey program at the Space Coast Iceplex in Rockledge enters its second full year this September, and is inviting new participants of all ages to come to eight week introductory sessions in both the Fall and Spring at no cost. All that is required is a cognitive or physical disability and a desire for fun. On ice instructors will include coaches from the Space Coast Hurricanes youth programs and experienced sled hockey players. Aides are also available for those who may need extra help.
The Fall series will consist of eight classes. Each of the eight classes is on a Saturday from 11:45 a.m. through 12:45 p.m. Dates include:
September 12, 19, and 26
October 10, 24, and 31
November 21 and 28
Registering is as simple as e-mailing Tom Reinarts at tomreinarts@earthlink.net or calling the Space Coast Iceplex at (321) 504-7500. When registering, be sure to mention the players name, age, disability, and any needs or allergies.
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Space Coast Hurricanes Sled Team Practices
Fall practice for the Adult and Youth teams start on September 13. Upcoming practice dates for the Fall are:
Sunday, October 25: 12:15 p.m. through 1:15 p.m.
More dates will be posted soon!
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We are looking for New Players!
August 12, 2009 --
The Sled Hockey teams at the spacecoast iceplex are looking for new players! All skill levels and all ages are welcome. We can accommodate a large number of disabilities. We have recently received new equipment that includes push bars and high backs that allows to include an even higher number of disabilities.
For instance, if your grip isn't tight enough to push, but is tight enough to hold a couple of sticks, we can have someone push you around. Also, if back strength is weak, we can use the high backs to provide support. We have also worked a number of creative solutions for our players, and don't mind challenges!
There is no cost to the participants, and joining in is as simple as contacting us and showing up! The driving principles of our program are fun and healthy exercise.
More information be made obtained by e-mail at the following:
sledhockey@spacecoasthurricanes.com
president@spacecoasthurricanes.com
or by phone by calling the Space Coast Iceplex at 321-504-7500.
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PLAYERS CORNER
The Miami Beach Police sponsored a charity fundraiser tournament in which disabled athletes would get a chance to show their potential in some good old fashioned sled hockey. The tournament consisted of about 5-10 different teams and was good fun. There was also food which was sponsored by another charity for Hispanics. The food was delicious! But anyways, back to the hockey.
There were two teams in particular who were very important teams to the whole event. The Miami Beach Fire Department and the Miami Beach Police Department joined in on the fun and had a good time along with the rest of us. It is them that we have to thank for this tournament. Without them, it would not exist.
Teams were to play each other in 2-3 different games. You had to win two games in the Round Robin to make it to the finals in which you would play the other team that won two games. The winner of that game would then be proclaimed the champion team for the tournament. But as the old saying goes, “no pain no gain.” Let me tell you, there was pain and gain; but in a good way.
Our Hurricanes Sled team won the championship, but we did not win two games. We won one game and tied 1-1 in the second game, however, we scored the most goals out of all the teams, which bumped us up to the championship. The championship was brutal, we played hard and earned our plaques. The final score was 4-0. Ok, so maybe it wasn't so brutal, but it was a good game nonetheless.
Hockey is an extreme sport which makes it extremely fun to play. So imagine how fun it is when disabled people are playing it! It’s extremely fun and it’s also really good exercise. Fun and exercise, a combo pack for good times!
The Miami Beach tournament was good times, laughs, and good fun for all, even people who weren’t even playing!
- Nick Reinarts
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Grant Received from SAHOF
The BAIHA/Tim's Kids Sled Hockey program was recently awarded a $5000 dollar grant from State Amateur Hockey of Florida (SAHOF). The money will be used to help spread sled hockey throughout Florida. We are very excited about the grant and very thankful to SAHOF!
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About Sled Hockey
We would like to introduce you to a fairly new and expanding sport for the disabled. Most people are aware of wheelchair sports such as Track & Field and Basketball. What most people don't know is that the disabled can also play ice hockey.
Sled hockey (also called sledge hockey) started in the 1960’s in Stockholm, Sweden. It spread to the United States in 1990, and became an official Paralympic sport in the winter games in 1994. Sled hockey is played in sleds that consist of a plastic seat riding on a metal frame with two blades underneath the seat. Each player has a shortened hockey stick in each hand. The end of each stick has two stainless steel picks that the player uses to push the sled along the ice. The other end of the stick has the blade that the player uses to move the puck, pass, and shoot. Sled hockey rules are essentially the same as standard hockey rules, with a few exceptions made to accommodate the sleds.
Sled hockey gained a foothold in Florida in 2006 with a series of clinics over a spring weekend in Clearwater, followed by the establishment of programs in Miami and Tampa Bay later that year. One of the original participants in the Tampa program was Nick Reinarts of Merritt Island, an eighth grade student at Edgewood Junior/Senior High School. Nick’s father, Tom Reinarts, worked with the Space Coast Iceplex in Rockledge to bring sled hockey to Brevard County. The owner of the Iceplex, Rick Ninko, was very supportive of the idea, and brought in help from USA Hockey and SAHOF (State Amateur Hockey of Florida). Tim’s Kids, a program established by the late Tim Szymula to introduce children to hockey, recognizing the opportunity to make hockey possible for people who normally wouldn’t have a chance to play, has generously taken the sled hockey program under its wing. With help from the Miami program, sled hockey started in Rockledge on January 4, 2008. Since then, the program has grown to 20 players. Last season, our players competed against teams from Tampa, Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, Alaska, and Minnesota in a sled hockey tournament. This season they will play in a number of games against competition from around the southeast.
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Sled Hockey Equipment Donated in Honor of Ben Szymaszek
We recently received a donation in memory of Ben Szymaszek. His family has generously donated new protective gear for the sled hockey program, including helmets, shoulder pads, shin guards, neck guards, and elbow pads. Ben was the father-in-law of Christine Szymaszek, who has been of invaluable assistance to us as we have developed our sled hockey progam. Once again, we are indebeted to the Szymaszek family.
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