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THEVOICE |

South- lands Stables unstable

Locals say changing demographics dampen equestrian culture

= By WILLIAM CROSBY

ew homeowners do not al- ways make new horse rid- ers, much to the dismay of

a Dunbar Southlands riding club.

Equestrianism, which has been a part of the neighbourhood’s culture since the 1940s, is not attracting the attention of new residents ac- cording to Southlands Riding Club instructor Margot Vilvang.

“There are people buying who arent necessarily living here, they just own the houses, which we call dark holes because we don’t know who they are and they don't have horses and we never see them and they don't get involved in the com- munity,” Vilvang said.

According to city census data,

Southland’s

demographics _ re- mained stable from the late 1990s until 2011.

Since then there has been a com- paratively steep nine per cent in- crease in residents whose first lan- guage is not English and five per cent, or 300 homes in the area are registered as Empty Homes.

Long-time Southlands resident Tanya Rosen said that some new homeowners do not share the strong sense of dedication to eques- trianism that more established resi- dents hold dear.

“When we came down here a long time ago it was all for the horse and now it’s all for the land. Land value is so huge in Vancouver right now that they have lacked in thinking about the horse.” Rosen said.

Club co-ordinator Dani Craig said the club is still supported by 400 members. Some come from families that have lived in the area since the 1940s and continue to show dedication to the sport, while others no longer live in the commu- nity but continue to fund the club.

Craig said equestrian education could bridge the gap between old and new residents. “I think we're doing our best as a club to engage those people who may not know so much about the sport.”

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018 |

EDITOR JENNIFER WILSON

Sportsnews

The Musqueam Nation Warriors playing the Heiltsuk Nation on Monday, March 19, at Sutherland Secondary School in North Vancouver. 1 /s4 STEACY PHOTO

Revival of junior Warriors basketball takes Nation by storm

MUSQUEAM AT

JR ALL NATIVE 2018

UNDER 17 TEAM W-L

1-2

Dropped to B draw

UNDER 13 TEAM W-L

1-2

Next game: March 22, vs. Terrace Wolverines

= By LISA STEACY asketball is back in Mus-

queam. Youth interest in

the sport, which thrived

throughout the 1990s, had all but died, until last year, when coach John Sparrow and a small group of boys got a team to- gether just two months before the Junior All Native Basketball Tour- nament and took home the third- place trophy.

‘The young team’s success reignit- ed a dormant passion, according to Musqueam band council member Tammy Harkey.

“They have re-inspired that love of the game within the communi- ty,” Harkey said. “The uptake from the boys has been incredible and

their commitment is stellar.”

Although the Musqueam Na- tion has had a men’s team since 2013, they hadn't entered the junior tournament in decades. ‘These days, however, the squeak of sneakers and

community is behind the boys. Elders who played during the 90s, now come out in support, sporting team sweaters.

Kole Stogen, under-13s captain

the thrum of [- said,

dribbling echo 7 "We love to be in the local gym eres ~ able to represent five days a week, re an our culture doing as the Mus- ethere a e this. And for us queam Nation them know that to do it at such a Warriors send . young age, it's in- not one, but two Musqueam is back.” credible.”

teams this year. —- JOHN SPARROW, COACH Sparrow, whose

Despite some early losses, both teams are still in the tournament which runs until March 23 on the traditional terri- tories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

But competition is only one as- pect of the tournament. ‘The whole

— father used to play for Musqueam and whose sons are now competing, said the teams were like one big family,

"Win or lose we're going to go out to represent our nation and be proud and be there and let them know that Musqueam is back."

Gaelic games tackle recruitm

Irish clubs reach out for non-Irish membership

= By AGAZY MENGESHA

nsuring the future of tradi- tional Irish sports in Van- couver means convincing

locals to join the match according to organizers.

The Irish Sporting and Social Club Vancouver development of- ficer Lorraine Muckian said that while Irish players living in Van- couver are the core of the ISSC there is a high turnover rate as many come to the city on tempo- rary work visas. Reaching out to es- tablished Vancouverites, especially young people who can grow into the sport, is the sport’s long term sustainability strategy.

“Probably the easiest way to tar- get that is to get into the schools," she said. "And get those folks en- thused and get them out onto the pitches.”

Gaelic football, hurling and

camogie are played in Ireland at

local and county levels. Children begin playing in primary school creating a talent pool which fun- nels into the adult leagues. In Van- couver, ISSC women’s football and camogie teams often play matches in Memorial South Park.

Maria Eviston, the club’s first female chair in decades said locals would enjoy the novelty.

“They're one of a kind sports, to be honest.”

Hurling and camogie are stick games, akin to lacrosse, while gaelic footballers, unlike soccer players, can use their hands. Muckian said that despite the daunting difference of these games, there is a way in for non-Irish recruits. Hurling, has a

t

steeper learning curve than gaelic foot- ball, but the fun, or ‘craic’ as the Trish say, is

worth the effort.

“It's quite an explosive sport as well, speed is very much a part of it, it's fast-moving, its high scoring.”

Canadian, Megan Monaghan plays for the club and said learning

a niche sport

is a surmountable challenge for most athletic people.

“If you've typically played soc- cer or volleyball, basketball, rugby, those are kind of transferable skills.”