This year, Team Jigger received the most money from the City of Lacombe’s Recreation and Culture Grant for their sledge hockey program. $5,000 will be going towards the program aimed at people with spinal cord injuries spinal cord injuries, amputations, cardiovascular conditions or mobility issues who wish to return to the ice and reignite their love of hockey.

“Sledge or para hockey has been around since the 1960s and it is a modified ice sport for the disabled. For those who are experiencing paraplegia, perhaps mobility issues, balance issues, and amputees. Essentially, the players sit in a sled and propel themselves through the ice with a pair of short and hockey sticks for moving themselves, passing, and shooting. It's very much like regular hockey,” said Darcy Stingel, Board director from the Team Jigger Foundation.

Able bodied people can also participate in the sport in order to play alongside their friends and family members who may be physically disabled as well. There are also leagues in sledge hockey that athletes can also take part in.

“Eventually, we hope to get up to the point where we can host or visit other teams, but the initial idea is to begin building because it's new to Lacombe.  We’re offering more of a program to assist those who are interested in learning the hockey basics or relearning the hockey basics from a completely different perspective. We want to get their skill set up to the point where if they wish to be more competitive or playing in and amongst other teams that eventually a league is a potential end goal,” said Stingel.

The grant is just the start of fundraising for the necessary equipment and setups to get the program running both at indoor and outdoor venues.

“The grant will help us in acquiring our equipment, which is quite expensive per unit. We're hoping to work with some local chapters that are helping guide us in bringing a sledge hockey program to Lacombe,” said Stingel.

The goal is to have the program up and running by the winter of 2021, but depending on the state of the pandemic, the season may be modified to some extent.

The Team Jigger mandate aims to help those who have experienced an injury or degenerative condition to recover and enjoy life.  It was started by Jason ‘Jigger’ Lunn who was in a high-speed collision was declared a quadriplegic. Through vigorous rehabilitation, he was able to find quality of life and independence that he hopes to share with others going through similar situations.

 Stingel says sledge hockey is the first of many activities and sports designed for those with mobility issues in the community of Lacombe. Team Jigger hopes to provide more in the coming years as the organization continues to grow.

Additionally, the organization hopes to remove barriers to create inclusion in recreational spaces.

“We've talked about initial ideas about creating like that accessible dock down by that World’s Largest Fishing Lure. We've talked about accessible bleachers, or paving out path so that wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers can make their way out to the soccer pitch to watch a game,” he added.

 For more information on Team Jigger and their sledge hockey program, click here.