Registration now open for 6th annual Battle At The Beach Ball Hockey Tournament

Organizers say they will need four female teams for the division to be a go. If not, the teams will be moved to either the competitive or recreational divisions in the same age group. If the team wishes to drop out instead, they will be reimbursed.

Age group will line up with the 2023-2024 hockey season with division birth years as follows:

U7: 2017 – 2018
U9: 2015 – 2016
U11: 2013 – 2014
U13: 2011 – 2012
U15: 2009 – 2010
U18: 2006 – 2008
Adults: 1900 – 2005

Players can move up a division but not down.

The adult division will be returning this year for, “mature adults only. No fighting, swearing or being rowdy,” organizers say.

Also returning will be the hardest shot station, accuracy shooting and race stations, food trucks, a Save-on-Foods BBQ, Special Olympians Celebrity Game, and a prize for the winners and for the best jersey, as teams are encouraged to create their own. Organizers confirm that many other ideas are also in the works.

Battle at the Beach – 2023 Showcase (Flying Goose Media YouTube)

In a better effort to avoid lopsided scores, organizers say they have created a competitive division and recreational division. Participants can register their team how they see fit.

“Please don’t be the guy registering the competitive team in the recreational division,” said officials.

But they also shared an important reminder for participants: it’s not about winning.

“This event is created for everyone, non-hockey players right on up to highly competitive players. We want to involve as many kids as possible and create a great family weekend down at the lake! If you have been to this before, welcome back, if you are new, I highly recommend joining as the kids have a ton of fun and finish it off with a dip in the lake,” they said in a statement.

Organizers confirm many of the referees are volunteers from the local high school; however, they are working on more experienced refs for the competitive and older divisions.

“A reminder that enough good refs are hard to find. For any of you parents out there quick to complain about the refs, feel free to contact me, I will have t-shirts, whistles and clipboards ready! And yes, we have followed through on this. We can always use more help,” they said.

More rinks have been added to the North Side Parking Lot of Lakeshore Drive, to be used depending on number of teams.

The format is 3-on-3 with teams of minimum four players and a maximum of seven with no substitutions. Games are 30 minutes and helmets, gloves and shoes are mandatory. Floor ball sticks without the “Ball Pocket” are allowed; the ones with the “Ball Pocket” at the toe are not allowed as the ball cannot come off the ground like in lacrosse. Goalies are to wear street hockey equipment with chest protectors and cups optional but highly recommended. A minimum of four games are guaranteed with a potential for up to seven games, depending on registration numbers.

The event will take place rain or shine.

“Come for the hockey, stay for the lake. Out of towners, reserve some camping spots. Locals, stay the whole day,” said organizers.

Team managers can register their players on the Battle At The Beach website, where they can also check game results and view the tournament schedule.

Registration is $450 per youth team and $550 for adults, with the deadline on May 24.

Updates and additional information will be shared on their Facebook page.

For questions, contact info@battleatthebeach.ca.

(Supplied)

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by rdnewsNOW Staff

Registration now open for 6th annual Battle At The Beach Ball Hockey Tournament

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