Team Jamaica Begins 1st Open Competition Youth Tournament in Toronto 4th of July Weekend
Jamaican Olympic Ice Hockey Federation Showcases Tremendous Talent On Ice
During Fourth of July Weekend, the Jamaican Olympic Ice Hockey Federation (JOIHF) will host its first open competition tournament for youth athletes ages16 and under from July 3-5, at Nottawasaga Resort (Allison), in Toronto, Canada. Team Jamaica consists of hand-picked players, many of whom are players that participated in the JOIHF’s evaluation and tryouts camp during August 2014.
“This is history being made once more in the hockey sports world,” said Jeff Brubaker, JOIHF’s new General Manager of Team Jamaica. “In our outreach, we have come to realize that globally most sports fans – let alone hockey fans – are not aware of such a hub existing and an upsurge of quality young players, in addition to professional National Hockey League players, being represented around the planet.”
The resort, which houses its own two-surface ice arena, is located at 6015 Highway 89, Allison, ON L9R 1A4. The public is invited to attend the event, and rooming may be available at the resort (800) 669-5501.
“As early as January, we had a player registered from England. What he and other players will experience is a coaching staff and agenda that is second to none in industry,” said Don Anderson, JOIHF chief liaison and consultant and former 1st vice president of Jamaica Olympic Association.
JOIHF head coach Graeme Townshend exhibits a legend attitude, according to Anderson as well as Jamaica’s prime minister, Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, and JOA president Mike Fennell.
“His heartfelt story serves as an outstanding example to a new generation,” Anderson said, “like JOIHF’s very own CEO, Edmond ‘EJ’ Phillipps, Jr., who has been playing ice hockey for 19 of his 26 years and coaching for eight of those years.”
Arguably the youngest coach of color to obtain his Olympic Level coaching credentials, Phillipps has accomplished much success since his certification. Having put together a select team comprised of two rival high schools, he garnered a 2014 ice hockey championship in his hometown of Colorado.
“It is my passion to have Jamaica represented in the Winter Olympics,” Phillipps said. “Like the Jamaica Bobsled Team, which garnered overwhelming global enthusiasm and support at the 1988 Olympics, JOIHF will definitely bring a refreshing, much-needed dimension of diversity to the sport, while providing another outlet for the talents of the youth of Jamaica on the international stage.
“JOIHF is living proof of vision turned reality. We have overcome many hurdles and accomplished much since our inception in 2011. Now we are excited about the possibilities of the future. The support we have received confirms the concept of JOIHF resonates across cultural and socioeconomic lines, and demonstrates the mass appeal of the project.”
For more information about the organization and its events, please visit JOIHT.org.
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Contacts:
Lester Griffin 843-343-3305
Jeff Brubaker 336-253-8030
Graeme Townshend 978-360-4244
Judith Smith 323-326-7573
About JOIHF Jamaican Olympic Ice Hockey Federation, also known as Jamaican Olympic Ice Hockey Team, is a United States 501(c)3 non-profit organization and a registered Jamaican Federation with membership in the Jamaica Olympic Association. JOIHF enabled Jamaica to create history by becoming the first Caribbean nation to join the International Ice Hockey Federation.
