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SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

Two Weeks of Instruction Still Available to Beginning Hockey Players

July 21, 2003 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


The Jr. StreetKings youth roller hockey league is gearing up to blast into their next season on August 4 with two more weeks of hockey camp for beginners. To learn hockey basics or get ready to join the league, call Memphis RiverKings team captain and hockey camp director Don Parsons at 901-870-PUCK.

"This marks the beginning of the league's second year," Parsons said. "This year has been amazing, with our rink being built so quickly and the spots filling up so quickly. The parents have been really receptive, and the kids are an awesome bunch. It's truly been a community effort."

Parsons, fellow teammates Jay Neal, Mark Richards and others helped to build the rink, located in Hernando, Miss. at the Hernando Civic Center and equestrian complex, in addition to coaching and refereeing games.

"This rink is the best roller hockey rink to be found between here and Nashville, and we're fortunate to have it," Parsons said. "It was really neat to be a major part of the design and construction process. There's a real sense of pride and accomplishment for everyone involved with both the rink and the league."

The building of the rink was funded by Maddox Foundation in Hernando. Foundation president and RiverKings owner Robin Grindstaff Costa, said she is a strong supporter of the league because it provides a constructive activity for children in their free time.

"On Saturday, if you come to the Hernando Civic Center you will see that the parking lot is full and the kids are out there (in the rink) having a lot of fun," Costa said. "They are learning about good sportsmanship and how to be a team: good skills for hockey, but also good skills for life."

Parsons said hockey is very much a team sport, with a strong need to be able to work together in the most trying of circumstances and pressure.

"Good sportsmanship is something we preach upon," Parsons said. "We want to teach them the proper way to act in a team sport. We want to teach the kids how to work together and be part of a team."

Parsons said one of the biggest benefits for young players is receiving instruction from veteran professionals.

"If anybody knows how to teach kids, it's Mark and Jay," Parsons said. "We've been doing it for the past year here, but we've spent the last 15 summers teaching kids to play hockey. We do more with the kids than just play hockey, though. We like to break it up with other activities, like baseball or a hockey movie, like ‘The Mighty Ducks.' The kids stay interested and have a good time. Not only are they learning to play hockey, they're learning good sportsmanship and making good friends."

Camp running July 21st through July 25th is 8:30 a.m. to noon; the next week, July 28 through August 1st, camp will run from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Cost is $100 per camp. Ten percent discounts are offered for multiple children and multiple camps. For more information call Parsons at 901-870-PUCK. For sales and sponsorships, contact Akilah Thomas at jrstreetkings44@aol.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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