Loss of Beardy’s team will be felt

This year is the Beardy’s Blackhawks’ final year participating in the midget AAA league. The team has been in the league for the last 25 seasons, and is often misjudged by many.

I’m in my third and final year of midget hockey and have been lucky enough to play for Beardy’s the past two seasons as well as being affiliated with them in my first year. Beardy’s goal is to bridge the relationship between different cultures, mainly white and Aboriginal, which is a strong form of reconciliation. We all play for the same team, we all are human, and I have never seen any of the Aboriginal boys on my team as second-class. I’ve grown up this way and playing in Beardy’s has truly showed me that we are all equal.

I grew up playing town hockey in Langham and always loved playing against Beardy’s. When I had the chance to play for them, I took it.

I live at home still and go to school with my same classmates since kindergarten. Even though I have to drive about an hour to every practice and home game, those car rides create memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

People often overlook Beardy’s. Yet, the team is always competitive and produces great junior talent. Beardy’s has a strong program, teaching young men to be honest, positive, and hardworking. It saddens me to see that after this year, Beardy’s will be no longer. Robert Pizzey, Langham