NEW TO THE GAME
NorQuest College road hockey tourney has first-time players keen to play again
NorQuest College students from diverse backgrounds, including some who have never played hockey before, stickhandle Friday in a college parking lot during the fourth annual NorQuest Cup, which involved 12 teams playing 15-minute games.
NorQuest College student Jasraj Singh struggled to pull down his jersey, entered the caged-in playing area on the college parking lot and picked up a hockey stick for the first time.
Singh moved to Edmonton from India two months ago and the closest he came to playing Canada’s game was field hockey.
It didn’t take long for Singh to get the hang of it, putting the ball in the back of the net early for his Students’ Association of NorQuest College team’s first goal.
“I’m feeling lucky to be playing,” Singh said after his first career goal that came with roaring applause from his teammates. “I’ve done ice skating before, never done hockey.”
A first hockey experience like Singh’s is what makes the college’s annual road hockey tournament so important, organizing committee chairwoman Sarah Smyth said.
“Anyone can come play road hockey, it’s very inclusive. It’s something you don’t have to have any skill level,” she said.
The fourth annual high-energy tournament Friday morning consisted of 12 teams competing in competitive and recreational divisions, for those new to the game. A combination of students, faculty and staff made up the teams and those not playing were found lined up against the fences shouting loudly and waving noise-makers.
Teammate Kera Forbes was next to Singh, dancing and cheering when their team entered the court for the first game. This too was her first time playing hockey, but she spent the week leading up to the tournament practising as much as possible. Insisting it’s all about teamwork, she assisted on Singh’s goal.
“It was electric,” Forbes said following the goal. “I don’t know if that’s a good word to describe it, but all the adrenalin and everybody screaming and shouting, I loved it.”
Moving to Canada from Jamaica two years ago, Forbes said she felt
Anyone can come play road hockey, it’s very inclusive. It’s something you don’t have to have any skill level.
lucky to have this opportunity to learn the game with her friends and couldn’t wait for her next shift.
“I’m going to do better. It’s going to be great.”