Hoping for dodgeball to grow in the Eastman

A sport on the rise for adults in Manitoba is hoping to gain traction at the youth level in the region.

The Eastman Dodgeball Club is kick-starting their youth program this week at Ecole Lagimodiere Gym in Lorette. The fully bilingual program will start Sept. 29 and run every Monday.

Chantal Benjamin is the head coach at the Eastman Dodgeball Club.

“It’s booming in the adult world, and I’m friends with the children’s league owner for the Winnipeg club,” Benjamin said, adding she coaches for them as well.

High level dodgeball tournaments have been a mainstay in Niverville since the Community Resource and Rec Centre opened up, with adult provincial championships hosted there last year.

Benjamin is hoping to get younger players involved. The full fall season is $88, with adult drop in games hosted after the kids are done every Monday. Registration is targeted at ages 9-13.

“Anybody can play,” she said.

“As long as you’re determined and you’re willing to put in the time… It doesn’t matter your body type. Some of these kids, their throws are wicked.”

Benjamin coached a team from Winnipeg at the inaugural World Youth Open, hosted in Calgary last February, with kids from all over the world competing, with the hope of bringing a team to the next edition of the tournament.

Registration is available at eastmandodgeballclub.ca.