A couple of weeks ago I received an email from Dan McFall. I came to know Dan after partnering with Full Strides for our 6-week “Successful Skating” program this past winter. Dan runs Full Stride Skating, which provides a menu of skating opportunities for skaters young and old. Part of his job also entails organizing hockey tournaments.
One tournament that he organizes is the “Annual Champlain Shootout,” which has occurred for 17 consecutive years. 46 teams from all over New England, Canada, and even as far away as North Carolina come to Burlington to participate in this 3-day tournament. This is a women’s hockey tournament that sells out! The Champlain Shootout makes a donation to a local charity every year. Kayla’s Directory was proud to receive the donation this year!
I was fortunate enough to spend several hours at the hockey tournament, talking to Dan, his staff, and meeting individuals from all over. The women at the tournament range in age from college students to the “older” generation. I met a team whose youngest player was 45! Each team plays four games over the course of the weekend. Games start at 6:30 AM, and the last game finishes after 11:00 PM. The teams are divided up into categories based on their level of play. I asked Dan who on earth could play a game at 11:00 PM? His response? The young collegiate players!
All the players that came through were wonderful. They come to play a sport they enjoy, have fun with friends, meet new people, and enjoy themselves. Most teams that I met were unconcerned if they lost, and some were excited just to score one goal. It reminded me of watching the many programs that Kayla’s Directory organize or of Special Olympics; everyone cheers for each other, and they are all having fun.
Dan says he has no problem getting all-women hockey teams to his tournaments. The men, on the other hand, are not as committed. I was not at all surprised. After all, what women would not want to go away for a weekend with girlfriends, play a sport she enjoys, shop, eat, drink, and leave the kids behind! It definitely made me consider learning how to play hockey…or at the very least learning how to skate! Apparently, there is a Sunday “Learn How to Play” class for adults, coached by Dan.
Thank you Dan McFall, Full Stride, and the Annual Champlain Shootout for supporting Kayla’s Directory. Our “Successful Skating” program will be great next year due to the commitment of your staff to helping ALL kids learn to skate.