International Children’s Winter Games makes its North American debut in Kelowna

Times Reporter

 

For the first time in its history the International Children’s Winter Games, ICG, will be coming to North America. The games are normally held somewhere in Europe, and teams who participate must be invited. For one Strathmore hockey team it is the opportunity of a lifetime. Sixteen girls from the Strathmore Storm Bantam female hockey team will be heading to Kelowna from Jan. 26 to 31 to take part. 

“What it is, is kind of a mini Olympics for 12 to 14-year-olds,” said Dawn Tessemaker, trainer and head of delegation for the team. 

There will be opening and closing ceremonies, with awards being given to the top team at the end of the Games. Athletes will have a chance to compete in alpine skiing, snowboarding, Cross country skiing, curling, figure skating. This year marks the first time hockey and speed skating have ever been a part of the games. 

“During the day they play hockey and at night they are running all kinds of festivals for the kids,” said Tessemaker. 

 A celebration of children’s sports, the Games calls youth from all over the world to meet each other and become friends in the context of a sports event held exclusively for them. Kelowna will host international youth, ages 12 to 15, for a week of fun-filled games, sporting events, festivals, and more. The aim of the Games is not to win, but to create strong bonds of friendship and solidarity between young athletes from all over the world. 

Due to the holiday season, there hasn’t been much practice for the girls but Tessemaker isn’t concerned.

“They will be going full tilt from here to the end.” 

Parents will cover the costs of transportation to get to Kelowna and back, with everything else being covered by the ICG. 

“Certainly I wish them well and I want to make the town of Strathmore known,” said Mayor Steve Grajczyk. Grajczyk will also be in attendance at the ICG representing the town, and said he hopes to learn something about the winter games and possibly one day have them set up here in Strathmore.