Beaver Valley May Days is just around the corner and that means Canada’s game will take to the Fruitvale Elementary multi-purpose courts for the 3-on-3 Street Hockey Challenge.
Derek Chartres has been organizing the event for the last three years, and with one of the best turn outs at last year’s event, he urges teams to get their registration in as soon as possible before it maxes out.
“That was our best year so far, I think we had 10 or 11 teams, so it turned out really well,” said Chartres.
With the courts and the one-day-tournament only able to accomodate about 12 teams, time is of the necessity for teams and individuals to register.
The competition allows up to five players per team, and individuals wanting to participate can also sign up.
“If we get enough individuals we’ll just throw them on the same team,” said Chartres.
The 3-on-3 challenge has two divisions, youth from age 9-15 and adults are age 16 and over. The games have two 10-minute halves, with a round robin and playoff format. Goalie gear is mandatory and helmets for age 18 and under are also mandatory.
If space is available, teams and individuals can register up to the day of the event, but Chartres urges participants to sign up early in order to complete the schedule.
“Every year at this time of year I start to worry a little bit, then all of a sudden I get team after team,” Chartres added.
The price of registration is $10 per person or $50 per team. The excitement starts early Saturday, May 23 and goes all day with lots of draws and prizes.
In addition to the 3-on-3 Hockey Challenge, Beaver Valley May Days will see lots of action at the ball park with the annual slo-pitch tournament at Haines Park and the B.V. Little League Baseball Tournament at McInnes Park starting Friday and going until Sunday.
In addition, the Family Fun 5 or 10 kilometre Run-Walk goes at 8 p.m. Friday night, followed by the Antenna Trail hike Saturday morning at 8 a.m. in Montrose. For more info, or to register go to beavervalleymaydays.com. To register for the 3-on-3 Hockey Challenge call 231-2037 or email gowrie7@yahoo.com. Also, go to Beaver Valley May Days Facebook page to register.