June 25th, 2025
The Good Ol’ Hockey Game
By: Christina Koenig, Community Ambassador
I had to learn to enjoy sports. Growing up, I can remember a few sports that were quite difficult for me, like skating and swimming. My parents will share stories of family camping trips when I would complain about the distance of any hike, and the giant insects that always seemed to land on my shoulder. I had no idea that sports would eventually inspire me, connecting me to family, friends, community and organizations that I love.
In the beginning, I enjoyed watching sports, bonding with my dad over baseball games with great memories of the Toronto Blue Jays World Series win. While sports were still difficult to play, I got into watching playoffs, learning the games and cheering with the crowd for the Canadian home teams.
While it was fun to play softball throughout the summer, I really enjoyed downhill skiing. My adventures as a skier meant that sports were something I could enjoy throughout the winter as well, and that I didn’t have to limit myself to certain sports, given my disability.
I learned how to ski with a simple tool that connected my skis in a snowplow position so that I could turn and move slowly down any hill. Eventually, I learned how to ski parallel and fast. My friends with and without disabilities would plan ski trips and I was always invited to join in.
When I began working in social services, I learned that many of my coworkers were runners, and so I began to run with them on trails and sign up for races. Sports to me now meant building relationships as I got to know my coworkers, and eventually travelled internationally, running long distance races in Iceland and New Zealand with my running group.
I also discovered that it was possible to run races in support of organizations that I love, and that a big part of many running groups is community work and volunteering.
Stretching is important after every run and so my next sport was yoga. As an activity that helps to build strength but also encourages rest, yoga highlights to me how sports can also bring peace. My community yoga class has been great for my own health and fitness goals, but also helped me to build lasting friendships and meet my neighbours. It is a nice feeling to know names and faces and be contributing to my neighborhood community.
I am fortunate to have always worked for community organizations. As I discovered when I began working for EAFWR, lacrosse is popular, but the main sport here is ball hockey. Our Annual Ball Hockey Tournament was one of the first EAFWR events that I participated in. My dad joined in as well that year, and it was held at our office in the parking lot. I have attended every year since.
In 2017, the Ball Hockey Tournament was part of the City of Kitchener’s Neighbours Day festivities. It is now run in partnership with Stanley Park Community Centre and City of Kitchener. Years later, the annual event continues to grow, with a food truck and players from local hockey teams like the Kitchener Rangers joining in.
What stands out to me every year at this event is that everyone is invited to participate. Experienced players may share tips and knowledge to learn from, but everyone is included.
Cheers and encouragement can be heard from the crowd watching. The ball is often passed around so that everyone has a chance to score, or the goalie makes the save.
We all shake hands at the end of each game, proud of the goals scored, stops, or defense, but not too worried about the standings. What matters is the community coming together and having fun!
From my perspective, connecting to sports has given me so much of my community spirit and inspiration as well as treasured family memories, and friendships. I am so thankful for all my adventures, and I look forward to seeing all of you at next year’s Ball Hockey Tournament.
“Oh! The good ol’ Hockey game
Is the best game you can name
And the best game you can name
Is the good ol’ Hockey game.”From The Hockey Song by Stompin Tom Connors