From very simple beginnings the Vernon Harvest Hockey Jamboree has evolved to the most successful and desired Senior Oldtimer hockey tournament in Western Canada. The tournament promotes the simplest yet most important characteristics of seniors' recreational sport. Inherent in the organizational concept are the factors of inclusion, respect, camaraderie, sportsmanship, and fair play.

From the Tournament Meet and Greet in the well-appointed facilities of Vernon's Schubert Centre to the final whistle at the Vernon Multiplex the week is sheer enjoyment. Everyone begins from the same zero point start. The challenge is to organize newly found mates into positions where they are able to make their greatest contribution to the team. Players of various skill and calibre bond over a scrumptious dinner, then organize and strategize. After a good nights sleep in local hotels its onto the ice for the 8:00 start time over three days of hockey. Three age divisions were used to separate the puppies from the older sports, giving every player the opportunity to play at his finest on a competitively formatted team consistent with age.

That is the essence of what tournament organizers Mike and Joyce Todd have accomplished with the format of the Vernon Harvest Hockey Jamboree. Playing the game for that very elusive concept - fun just for the sake of fun?

In its ninth year and just in time to begin planning for the Tenth Anniversary Tournament, Vernon's senior hockey talent and business community combined their collective resources to provide sponsorship and organizational assistance. Recognizing the economic benefit of having over two hundred seniors in town for a week local small businesses contributed participation prizes. According to John Phillipson, Armstrong's own bon vivant, " the local business community really stepped in to make everyone feel welcome. They contributed generously with tournament participation prizes and in return saw the visitors patronize their businesses".

Long time, well-known hockey-playing stalwarts from the highly successful senior oldtimer hockey team 'The Armstrong Anchor Inn' volunteered their time and talents to assist with the myriad requirements and provided on and off ice officials as well as locker room 'bonhomie'.

Introduced by Joyce Todd this year, as testimony to the generosity and unselfishness of seniors is support and sponsorship of 'The Tree House Project'. Money that would otherwise have been spent on a tournament souvenir has instead been contributed to this very worthwhile charitable cause. The project is a fund-raising effort to provide Vernon with a new Child Development Centre. Contact Joyce Todd at 250-549-2311 if you would like add your contribution to that of these 'older' hockey-playing stars.

Mike and Joyce Todd have nurtured this superb tournament concept in Vernon. It has grown over the years and the assistance now provided by 'The Armstrong Anchor Inn Gang' is a welcome and necessary addition. Continuing sponsorship from the small business sector is now in place. The one remaining challenge is to secure the sponsorship of a major Vernon business entity. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of the Vernon Harvest Hockey Jamboree contact Mike or Joyce in Vernon at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it See also http://www.senioroldtimershockey.com/ for full details of the tournament.

VERNON and ARMSTRONG! - CONGRATULATIONS ON RUNNING A SUPER SENIOR HOCKEY TOURNAMENT! WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT YEAR!

Jerry Flaman     This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it