As hockey season comes closer to an end many teams are gathering for provincial playoffs which are going to be held during spring break.

Local female Midget hockey  players from the Windermere Valley Minor Hockey Association are going to have  home ice advantage this year as they will host the 2010-2011 Female Midget Provincial Championships at the Eddie Mountain Memorial Arena in the District of Invermere.

The championships will be held from March 19-25 with hockey kicking off on March 20 at 10:30 in the morning.

Six teams will be participating in the tournament. Teams from Kamloops, Cranbrook, Richmond, Langley and Vancouver Island will be challenging the local girls for the provincial banner.

Louise Helmer is working with the team in preparation for the championships. She said the support they have received from the community has been vital.

“It has been an amazing. Once again the community has come together to support our youth,” she said.

Helmer feels the tournament will provide an economic boost to the area while also being a great honour for the team to play as hosts of the provincials.

“We hope to win gold of course. However it is important that everyone has a great time because they are a great bunch of girls.”

Helmer stressed that the spirit of the game and demonstrating sportsmanship were the  most important things to remember going into the championship.

Anyone interested in learning more information can contact Louise Helmer at 250-342-5306 or Kim Westergaard at 250-342-5820.