I·SPARC announces Team BC Rosters for the 2019 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships

Victoria, B.C. (April 24, 2019) The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC), and its Provincial Hockey Committee, are pleased to announce the players and volunteer staff who will represent British Columbia in the 2019 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC). The 2019 NAHC will be held in Whitehorse, Yukon from May 7 to May 12, 2019.

I·SPARC hosted its Team BC Player Selection Camp from April 5-7, 2019 at the Matsqui Recreation Centre in Abbotsford, BC where 94 elite Indigenous male and female hockey players participated in the three-day process. From the camp, twenty male and twenty female hockey players were selected. These players will not only represent BC, but they will also proudly represent their Nations and communities at this prestigious national championship. 

“Congratulations to all of the Team BC members selected to participate in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Whitehorse,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. “You have travelled a long way to compete at the national level and you exemplify the amazing talent and spirit we have in B.C. I wish you the very best as you prepare for competition and I hope you truly enjoy your experience at the Games next month.”

“Our three-day selection camp showcased an amazing level of talent from across the province,” said Rick Brant, Executive Director at I·SPARC. “Team BC will be defending last year’s male gold medal performance and building on an impressive 4^th place finish by the female team. We are very pleased with our rosters and the strengths of our two teams as we prepare for the 2019 NAHC in Whitehorse.”
 

 

 

Team BC will gather in Delta for a one-day training camp prior to departing for the Yukon on Monday, May 6^th.  The NAHC competition schedule commences Tuesday, May 7 through May 12 with games held at the Takhini and Canada Games Centre arenas. The schedule is available for download at http://www.nahc2019.com/schedule/schedules. Follow Team BC`s progress via the following:

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About the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC)
The NAHC, founded by the Aboriginal Sport Circle and sanctioned by Hockey Canada, is the premier forum for elite Bantam and Midget-age Indigenous hockey players from across Canada. It is the only annual national event that showcases and celebrates the athletic abilities of Indigenous athletes from across the country, and aids in fostering cultural unity and pride. Team BC is represented by two teams, one male team and one female team, featuring the top players from across the province. For more information about the 2019 NAHC, visit www.nahc2019.com.

About the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council
I·SPARC is a consortium of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, the First Nations Health Authority, and Métis Nation BC. As the stewards of BC’s Aboriginal Sport, Recreation and Physical Activity Strategy, I·SPARC works with First Nations, Métis Chartered Communities, Friendship Centres, schools and other sport and physical activity stakeholders to deliver community-based programs designed to promote active lifestyles and support the desire for transformative change in the health and well-being of Indigenous communities, families and individuals across B.C. For more information, about Team BC 2019 NAHC and I·SPARC, please visit: www.teambcnahc.com and www.isparc.ca.