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August 23, 2002
A new season for JCC sports
Hockey programs and women's basketball leagues add to centre's
line-up.
KYLE BERGER REPORTER
While the end of summer usually only brings depressing visions
of the poor weather ahead, there is at least one reason to be excited
about the autumn season. The falling of the leaves also symbolizes
the start of many of the athletic leagues and programs that the
Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver (JCC) organizes.
According to the centre's adult sports co-ordinator, Janet Rerecich,
this year there is a lot for the athletically minded members of
the community to be excited about.
"I am really looking forward to the 2002-2003 season as we
are trying to start some new programs here at the J," she said.
"I'm hoping to add a little more variety and some excitement
to the adult sports menu."
One of the JCC's flagship programs is the ice hockey league, which
takes place at the Richmond Ice Centre. Registration is now open
for new and returning players and there will be a pre-season skate
for all new players on Aug. 27 in order to assess each individual's
skill level.
In the ice hockey league, each team is drafted with an equal number
of players of each skill level so teamwork plays a more significant
role in the games.
Ice hockey will be played Sunday nights from September through March
and the league fees are $410 for JCC members and $460 for non-members.
If stumbling all over the ice doesn't sound like fun to you, the
JCC also runs a floor hockey league that is played Thursday nights
at the centre's gym, from October to March. Fees are $85 for JCC
members and $105 for non-members.
The men's basketball league is also a big draw for adults in the
Jewish community. The league, which runs out of the JCC gym Tuesday
nights from October to March, welcomes players of all skill levels
and costs $110 for centre members and $150 for non-members.
New for this year is a women's basketball league, set to start in
October. Working in conjunction with an already established competitive
league, Rerecich said the new league is oriented toward women who
want to play basketball at a recreational level or just feel like
trying something new.
"There are very few opportunities for women to play organized
basketball in the lower Mainland," she said. "The only
league that currently exists tailors to the more competitive player."
There will be open basketball nights Sept. 18 and 25 at Windermere
high school so that individual skill levels can be assessed. Rerecich
hopes to establish a four-team league that will run October to March.
She is also attempting to drum up interest for a co-ed winter volleyball
league as well as various hiking trips. The JCC also runs a walleyball
league, karate classes, indoor soccer, basketball clinics, table
tennis, badminton, squash and racquetball for those interested.
This year the centre will boast its brand new facilities, which
include a regulation-size high school gym, a new weight room and
two new dance studios.
For more information about these or any other JCC sports activities,
call 604-257-5111, ext. 219.
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