UFA Bisons looking for billeting homes

Times Reporter    

 

With the UFA Bisons Midget AAA Hockey Club making their final team cut on Sept. 22, Billet Coordinators Daun and Murray Brown are looking for homes for players in Strathmore. This way, the team can spend more time together and grow closer, just like other minor teams in the area. The Bisons adopted a new program this season in combination with Strathmore High for the same reason – and to lessen team travel.

Families would need to provide a bedroom, meals and snacks for road trips. The players in return, would obey rules or chores put forth by the household. After a police check, questionnaire, and home inspection by the coordinators are completed, there’s no limit as to how many one home can house; families will receive monthly compensation, along with regular season passes to all Bisons games. In the instance of a vacation or emergency, billets can also be put into a temporary home for a few days.

“They’re kind of going to become part of the family…this is their second home,” Daun Brown said; her own son is currently billeting out in Saskatchewan. “I know how hard this is on parents, because he wanted to play elite hockey, and that was the only way it was going to happen. But we’ve become great friends with all of the billets since he (started when he) was 15.”

Brown is potentially looking to billet up to 20 players, though some local talent who make the team can stay in their own houses. Billets would move in on Sept. 23, and stay until March, depending on how the Bisons do in the playoffs.

“The biggest thing is, if someone’s out there and they are looking, thinking this is a great idea, it’s a great asset to your family,” she said.

Any families interested please contact Daun or Murray Brown as soon as possible at (403) 787-3991 or murgbrown@hotmail.com.