Four young residents from Fort McMurray will be traveling to Sweden next month to take part in World Cup Volt Hockey.

It’s an accessibility sport that pits three against three in a hockey-style format with participants using electrically run chairs with joystick controls.

The sport is aimed at individuals with mobility needs.

Jacey Gamroth, Volt Hockey Coordinator with Variety Alberta said that they’ve seen a large showing of support from Fort McMurray.

“We have some very eager families here in Fort McMurray, which we love to see,” Gamroth expressed.

She went on to explain that they’ve seen many different people taking part in the new sport, including those that have been wanting to play sports with their able-bodied friends.

“In Calgary and Edmonton, we have many sibling pairs where one sibling may have a disability and the other might be able-bodied, or friends as well. People want to play with their able-bodied friends and they’re more than welcome to,” said Gamroth.

“From kids, parents, and our coaches the reactions are overwhelmingly positive. It very likely is the first time that a lot of these kids have been able to play a sport independently,” expressed Gamroth. “A lot of our kids like that aspect of going fast. I think that’s something that a lot of them have never experienced before, is that going fast on their own.”

Of the seven players joining Team Alberta to take part in the Volt Hockey World Cup, four will hail from Fort McMurray.

Congratulations to Joshua Fitzpatrick, Stephen Liu, Olivia Norman & Blake Fielder.

World Cup Volt Hockey 2022 will be taking place in Gävle, Sweden on 16-18, September.