When Kevin Wilson started Sunday Night Floor Hockey at Church of the Rock, he had no idea what he was getting into.
Turns out, what he got into is a good thing - no, a very good thing.
"It's really been far better than I ever could have imagined," says Wilson, one of the regular netminders. "The turn-outs have steadily been getting better, as has the hockey. At the start, some guys hadn't played for a while and needed to get their skills back, while others have simply had to learn the game. Best of all, everyone has been very enthusiastic."
Maybe a little enthusiastic at times, he adds.
"Without question, playing has involved a learning curve for everyone. Sometimes, things have gotten a little too competitive, where guys maybe run at each other and push and shove a bit too much in the corners - which has to be expected, because these are guys you're talking about. It's their nature to be competitive."
That said, whether a player be advanced or novice, it's been made clear that they all have to maintain a certain standard of play.
"We've told the guys straight out that if they're too rough, they're not welcome to play. There are kids here that are only 10 or 11 years old, as well as guys who haven't played much hockey - they can't take the pounding," Wilson says. "So we've told everyone that there's to be no stickwork, hitting from behind or taking runs at players. If someone gets too rough, they have to sit out to think things over. If they come back from their enforced rest and still play rough, they'll be told to please leave."
Thankfully, rough play incidents have been few and far between. As the players have gotten more accustomed to each other and played more, the skill level has gone up, while physical play has gone down to acceptable levels.
"The passing is now at a high level, and the players have developed a respect for each other," he says. "Games are competitive yet fun. The balance is right, and everyone is having a great time."
Evidence of the fun factor was a turnout of 18 players on April 22. With four spares on each side, the pace of play was high. As a result, the goalies were literally pooped when play wrapped up at 8:45.
"We expect attendance to be strong as word of Sunday Night Floor Hockey gets out. In fact, it's getting so popular that several guys were disappointed that we didn't play on April 8, the weekend of Good Sunday. But that's a good sign. It shows that we've gotten the right competitive balance, and that everyone is having fun, getting some good exercise, and, most importantly, enjoying great fellowship."
For more information on Sunday Night Floor Hockey, e-mail organizer Kevin Wilson at kevin@churchoftherock.ca or call Church of the Rock at 261-0070, and ask for Kevin.