Reaction To Ridgetown-Blenheim Amalgamation Positive

Earlier this week, the members of the Blenheim & District Minor Hockey Association, and Ridgetown Minor Hockey Association, voted to merge their organizations to better serve the region, and to provide more opportunities for Chatham-Kent youth.

Although change is often met with criticism, the decision, which was passed with a 93.8% approval by the combined organizations, is receiving positive feedback from all involved.

“I think this amalgamation provides us the opportunity to ensure we continue to provide an excellent hockey experience for the youth of our communities at all age levels,” said Jack Brown, Jack Brown, a Director with the Blenheim & District Minor Hockey Association. “Minor hockey is big part of the local fabric of both Blenheim and Ridegtown. You see and hear about it not only at the rink, but at local restaurants, workplaces and casual conversation on the street as many people are excited about the goings on of the youth within minor hockey,” continued Brown.

“It also gives us the opportunity to grow our sense of community with a neighbor who shares the same values and goals as we do. RMHA and BDMHA are developmental organizations who develop players each year who eventually go on play for teams like the Blenheim Blades Jr. C team. This amalgamation will only strengthen our ability to continue to develop players to the highest level possible.”

Excitement wasn’t only coming from the Blenheim camp, as Ridgetown Minor Hockey Association President Derek Trudgen was quick to list the many advantages of the amalgamation including the ability to, “Allow current registrants to continue to play in Blenheim and Ridgetown, allow teams to be chosen from a larger pool of players, allow for teams to exist in all divisions of Minor Hockey, more competitive rep and local league teams, bring the positive aspects of both organizations together, use of 2 ice pads may reduce early morning practices, contain and reduce costs for all participants, find alternative sources of funding,” and in his words, to control the destiny of both organizations.

The directors and executive of each organization may have driven the move, but the players also appreciate the move, and recognize the positive impact this amalgamation will have on the quality of hockey, and opportunities for players in Ridgetown and Blenheim.

“I think combining the communities will be great for local hockey players,” said Derrick Van Every, a Ridgetown product who played for the Ridgetown-Blenheim Chiefs this team, a juvenile club that embraced the amalgamation a year early. “Not only to create stronger rep teams, but this also gives the kids a chance to come together and become friends with players from out of their hometown. It’s a great idea.”

With decreasing enrolment over the years, the organizations were at risk of losing certain divisions, which would have forced players into other communities. Similar amalgamations have happened in recent years locally, including the girls programs in Dresden, Bothwell, Ridgetown, and Blenheim combining to form the Kent County Fillies, Tilbury and Chatham merging to form the Kent Minor Hockey Association, and Bothwell and Glencoe merging to the Southwest Bullets, which sent many players out of Chatham-Kent.

The new amalgamation, which merges two communities, with arenas only 17.5km apart, now protects the future of minor hockey in the area.