Sledge hockey is a relatively new sport to me – but not to the students at James Gilmore. They requested tickets as they’ve been proactively learning about the sport in their school, as part of their wider Olympic and Paralympic learning.
It isn’t the only Paralympic sport students have been taking an interest in – they’ve also tried a number of other Paralympic sports through VANOC’s Paralympic Schools Day programme and are also turning into avid Wheelchair Rugby fans, in preparation for the World Wheelchair Rugby Championships taking place in their local neighbourhood in September 2010.
Sledge hockey isn’t dissimilar to Wheelchair Rugby in many ways. While no expert on the subject, both sports are extremely fast-paced and look pretty physical and aggressive to me (with many clashes today being accompanied by large gasps from the crowd!).
Having tried wheelchair rugby a couple of years ago, I can say you need a huge amount of upper body strength….something I was quite clearly lacking in when I tried….and sledge hockey looked to require similar levels.
Sledge hockey, like wheelchair rugby, is also extremely easy to watch. Not only are the rules simple enough for new fans like me but the games also take place in relatively small arena meaning you can see the action from wherever you’re sitting at all times. And, there is always something happening….I don’t imagine you get many boring games in sledge hockey and it was great to hear about how popular the weekend sledge hockey games were with Vancouver residents!
From the screaming, dancing, singing and Mexican waves, James Gilmore students seemed to be enthusiastic fans of sledge hockey (even though Canada weren’t playing).
They also seemed to be well-informed fans – I overheard a number of conversations about the rules of the game and the tactics on show. This combination of young people who knew and understood the sledge hockey, and were also excited about being at a Paralympic Games, really helped to contribute to an electric atmosphere in that stadium...
During a good chat with the school principal, she made it clear that their activity won’t stop as soon as the Paralympic Games are over. The school is already developing plans for celebrations to mark the World Wheelchair Rugby Championships in Richmond in September 2010.
Beyond that, she feels that learning about athletes’ preparations for the London Paralympic Games will be their next major project. We look forward to James Gilmore joining us on our journey to 2012!
