Bantams Squirts

Jr.Streetkings get things going By Ron Caldwell/Times Sports Editor HERNANDO - With eight straight days and nights of 100-plus temperatures and a heat index more associated with Death Valley than DeSoto County, hockey is not the first thing on most people's minds. But, more than 50 young people are getting going in the fall league of the Jr.StreetKings roller hockey program at the arena at Hernando Civic Center. "We played our first games of the fall league on Tuesday, but we canceled the games on Thursday night," said Mississippi RiverKing captain Derek Landmesser, who has been coordinating the youth program. "It was just too hot. We'll make up those games in the next week or so when it cools down a little bit." The heat wave hasn't cooled the enthusiasm that area young people seem to have for the youth roller hockey lessons, camp, and league. In the spring, 62 young people took part with another 54 on board for this fall league. "It has been tremendous," said Landmesser. "The RiverKings have generated a lot of interest in youth hockey in this area. Our numbers dipped just a little bit this time around because kids have to go back to school and some of them are in other middle and high school sports." Landmesser also sees another factor as instrumental in the growth of roller hockey. "All of the upgrades that the Maddox Foundation did at the arena have really made it even more attractive for people to want to come out here and participate," Landmesser said. The Maddox Foundation committed $75,000 in a grant to Hernando Youth Sports to fund improvements at the Hernando Civic Center. The grant was used to construct bleachers for seating at the facility's outdoor roller hockey rink, to construct ramps for easier access to the rink, to acquire and install a scoreboard for the rink, and to construct a bathroom and concession facility that serve the rink and adjacent ball fields. The foundation is committing an additional $50,000 in general support for Hernando Youth Sports to support all of its youth recreation programs. "We have a long history of support for Hernando Youth Sports and the Jr. StreetKings roller hockey program that they operate at the Hernando Civic Center," said Mike Ward, director of programs for Maddox Foundation. "We are also supportive of Hernando Youth Sports and their mission to provide quality programs and services to young people in Hernando and the surrounding area." The Jr.StreetKing program is in its fifth year with players between the ages of four and 16 competing in Squirt and Bantam divisions. "It's the best feeling in the whole world to see these kids and to help them progress and grow in playing," said Landmesser. The Squirt league for ages four to 10 will have three teams while the Bantam for ages 11-16 will also have three teams. "The roller hockey program and youth sports are important because they give kids activities to do after school and in the summer," Landmesser said. "Kids learn so many things playing team sports. Of course, I think hockey is the best sport in the world. All team sports are good though, because they are a lot of fun and help build character." The fall league will wrap up with divisional championships in mid-September. Then, it will be time to move indoors and play hockey on ice at the DeSoto Civic Center, according to Landmesser. "We are working with the Memphis Youth Hockey League to teach the kids the basics and skills of hockey and then play youth leagues at the DCC," said Landmesser. He added that it is not too late for anyone to sign up for either the fall league of roller hockey as well as the upcoming ice hockey league. For more information or to sign up, call Landmesser at (901) 870-PUCK (7825) or go to www.jrstreetkings.com Back Edited By: Derek Landmesser on 8/20/2007 12:23:29 PM