The 10-year-old had the teenager dead in his sights then let the ball go as hard as he could.
Wham!
Dwight Budden, coach of the Innisfail Junior Dodgeball Association (IJDA), goes out of the game.
Again.
ìI'm used to this,î said Budden. ìDodgeball is the ultimate equalizing sport. In no other sport can an adult player be at a disadvantage to a younger one regularly. Younger, shorter players are a harder target compared to a fully grown, slower, less agile player.î
He admits that is part of the appeal of dodgeball, and it is now organized in town with the creation of the IJDA last September.
ìWe usually have 16 to 18 players show up on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Innisfail Jr./Sr.,î added Budden. ìOur players range from nine years old to an over 40-year-old volunteer from Red Deer, but our target is in the 10 to 14 years of age.î
Practices are informal with players breaking up into two teams after a short stretching session and warm-up.
ìAnyone wanting to play dodgeball should know that there is no special training involved or special equipment,î said Budden. ìEvan Taply, the assistant coach and I, look at this as a team sport not an individual pursuit. Rules of play are governed by the National Amateur Dodgeball Association (NADA).î
The IJDA is looking forward to changes starting in September. Monica Murray, a recreation programmer from the Town of Innisfail, has been charged with the responsibility of directing the program and has nearly finalized details for next fall.
ìWe may be changing days and times of play in order to capture a larger group. Instead of Wednesday night, Wednesday after school could be the time we use at the same gymnasium every time,î added Budden. ìThere is also the possibility of a second session for players aged 16 and up later in the evening as well, once we get more numbers.î
Drop-in fees to play dodgeball are $3 per night or $10 per month per person that is payable the night of play. For more information interested players can contact Murray at the Town of Innisfail at 403-227-3376.
