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UPDATE: Game cancelled due to Boomerangs unsanctioned

The Kaurna Boomerangs are making their international debut in Alberta Jan. 13
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UPDATE:

A couple hours before the game was set to start, Hockey Alberta cancelled the would-be game between the Kaurna Boomerangs and the Maskwacis Hawks peewee 1 team because the Boomerangs aren’t sanctioned.

ORIGINAL STORY:

An exciting event is coming to Maskwacis on Jan. 13.

Australia’s first-ever Indigenous representative hockey team the Kaurna Boomerangs, aged 13 to 18, are coming to Alberta, making their international hockey debut with a match up against the Maskawcis Hawks peewee 1 team.

The puck drops at 1 p.m. at the Four Nations Arena in Maskwacis. Admission is free and the concession will be open.

“The team is looking forward to this amazing opportunity, ” said Melody Deschamps, team manager.

“We get to unite and play a friendly game of hockey with our brothers and sisters from Australia. And it brings great pride and honour for our community to host such an event.

“We are thankful the minor hockey association asked us to be a part of it.”

The hockey game is only the beginning of the cultural exchange activities planned. The Boomerangs will get to experience fishing and snowshoeing and learn about Alberta’s First Nations.

The week will be topped off with a trip to Edmonton to watch a n Edmonton Oilers and Oil Kings hockey game at Rogers Place.

The Boomerangs were formed through the Ice Factor Program 15 years ago, which was started to help re-engage disadvantaged students at risk of leaving school.

The team is able to travel to Alberta for this event due to a $60,000 grant from their state government.

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