The 2016 NHL playoffs may be devoid of any Canadian team content but there will be plenty of opportunities for locals to get back into hockey mode and enjoy the outdoors this summer with the return of Play On! Vancouver on June 25-26.
Now in its 11th year of operation, Play On! Vancouver finds itself in a brand new locale in 2016 at the YPK Integrated Training Centre in Pitt Meadows after spending the previous four years in the parking lot at Coquitlam Centre.
For those unfamiliar with the new location, the YPK Integrated Training Centre (http://www.drivesitebc.com/) is 700,000 square feet of unobstructed paved surface.
Situated nearby the Pitt Meadows airport, the site is commonly used as a driving training centre for the Justice Institute of British Columbia as well as the RCMP and hosts a multitude of other driver training events.
It’s also a perfect set-up for the event organizers because they’re unencumbered by the usual set-up restrictions that come with being at a mall parking lot or downtown streets.
“It really is going to be a spectacular set-up,” said Jen Graham, Event Director for Play On! Vancouver. “Add into the fact that the site is just right around the corner once you get off the Mary Hill Bypass or the Golden Ears Bridge, it’s an easy place to get to as well.
“We’ll have parking available on-site for our participants, as well as our volunteers and officials, although we do encourage carpooling as much as possible as there will be a lot of people.”
A lot of people may be an understatement. Last year at Coquitlam Centre, this event hosted just fewer than 300 teams.
Organizers are hoping to well-exceed that number this time around. With minimum team sizes being four players (the event is billed as 4-on-4 which means one goalie and three ‘runners’ on at all times), not to mention spectators and other surprise guests including the participants of the annual celebrity game that takes place on the Saturday at noon, this is an event that can’t be missed.
Registration is now open at www.playon.ca/events/vancouver. Teams are encouraged to sign up on or before the June 8 early bird registration deadline as not only will they save on their fees but they have a chance to win great prizes including a Vancouver Canucks team-signed stick as well as a Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson autographed football.
Companies looking for a great way to do some team-bonding can sign up a team in the UPS Corporate Division with proceeds going to United Way of the Lower Mainland.
Teams in the UPS Corporate Division will also receive a tax receipt in the amount of $500.
Prizes will also be awarded to all division champions and a swag bag which includes a Play On! t-shirt will be provided to all participants. Any organizations interested in donating prizing should email [email protected].
Play On! Vancouver is also looking for volunteers and referees to be involved. No experience is required to be a referee. Information can be found on the website at www.playon.ca/events/vancouver.
Sportswave’s own Steve Erickson is a long-time supporter and referee at Play On! Vancouver and has been tabbed to be the referee at this year’s celebrity game.
EVENT DETAILS
DATES: June 25-26, 2016 LOCATION: YPK Integrated Training Centre (18200 Ford Road, Pitt Meadows) *do not go to the airport*
TIMES: First game starts at 8 am on both days REGISTER ONLINE: www.playon.ca/events/vancouver TWITTER: @playonvancouver INSTAGRAM: @playonvancouver FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/playonvancouverhttp://www.facebook.com/playonvancouver
EARLY BIRD CONTEST DETAILS
To enter into the contest for the Vancouver Canucks team-signed stick, all you need to do is sign up a team in the UPS Corporate Division on or before June 8.
All teams registered are automatically entered into the draw and the earlier you register, the better your odds of winning.
To enter the contest for the Russell Wilson autographed football, simply Tweet @playonvancouver with your name and your registered team’s name along with the hashtag #PlayOnVanContest.
Thanks to Daniel Fung for the info!!
