President’s Weekly Recap: Week 10

President’s Weekly Recap: RCFHA Regular Season Week 10 

Welcome back for the recap of Week 10 of the 2024/2025 season! Photo Day was a packed and busy day, but we got everyone and their teams in and are going to have some great team photos for the 2024/2025 season! Here’s a look at some of the highlights from Week 10: 

 

Mites Milestone: First Overtime Thriller 

For the first time this season, the Mites division saw an overtime game! The Canucks and Furious Scorpions battled to a nail-biting tie, showcasing their grit and determination. Special shoutouts go to Theodore Tsang and Colin Wong for their exceptional efforts, keeping the intensity high and the fans on the edge of their seats. 

 

Junior Squirt Breakthrough: Fast and Furious Find a Win 

The Fast and Furious Junior Squirt team broke their 10-game losing streak in spectacular fashion, claiming a hard-fought overtime win against the Snipers. Lucas Yang emerged as the hero of the game for the overtime winning goal, but credit is also due to Leroy Iwalaye, whose consistent performance has been a key part of the team’s resurgence. Shoutout to Cora Mah and Karysa Daniels for employing some new strategies. Great job coaching and keep up the good work! 

 

Bantam Battle: Minister Mills Stay in the Hunt 

The Minister Mills pulled off a massive victory over the Dancing Queens, keeping themselves within striking distance within the Bantam division. Andrew Clark was instrumental in the win, delivering a critical goal from defense that set the tone for the game and kept the energy high throughout. Congratulations to Minister Mills—keep up the fantastic work! 

 

Behind the Scenes:   Events Committee Excellence

A big thank you to Farin Meralli, member of the Events Committee, for her outstanding work in organizing Photo Day. Farin created a schedule that minimized conflicts and ensured everything ran smoothly. Her efficiency and organization are a huge asset to the RCFHA community! If you missed Photo Day, or would like to retake your team photo, we will be setting up our RCFHA backdrop on January 25 at Burnett. Parents will be able to take their own photos with the backdrop. More details to come later! 

Looking Ahead: Pub Night Social 

We’re excited to announce our upcoming Pub Night Social! This adult-only event is a fantastic opportunity for parents and adults in our Association to connect, unwind, and have a great time. 

  • Date: Friday, January 31 at 7 pm 
  • Location: Stanley’s Grill 
  • Tickets: $25 (includes a beverage, burger, and fries) 

Pre-register now using this link: Pub Night Registration Form, and then pay at the door. 

 

Looking Ahead: Marcel Doucet Scholarship 

I’d like to remind everyone about the approaching deadline for our Marcel Doucet Volunteer Award and Scholarship. This opportunity is designed to support and recognize the dedication, passion, and achievements of Grade 12 and First-Year Post-Secondary volunteers within our association.  

Here are the key details: 

  • Application Deadline: Friday, February 9, 2025 at 11:59pm  
  • Scholarship Award(s): We are pleased to offer $800 (subject to change) to assist recipients in furthering their education. 

This scholarship serves as a testament to our commitment to supporting the development of our players, both on and off the floor. We firmly believe in the power of education and athletics to shape individuals into future leaders and contributors to our community. 

We encourage all eligible players to seize this opportunity and submit their applications before the deadline. Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to Nicole Nagra (officials@rcfha.org). 

Looking Ahead: Errington Games on Saturday 

Reminder we are at Errington Elementary School on Saturday, so please make sure to dress warm and come to 9831 Herbert Road instead of Burnett. We’ll be back at Burnett on Sunday! 

Cheers!
 

Piradeepan Uthayakumar
President, Richmond Cosom Floor Hockey Association 

President’s Weekly Recap: Week 9

President’s Weekly Recap: RCFHA Regular Season Week 9 

Welcome back for the recap of Week 9 of the 2024/2025 season! We are back from Winter Break! Hope it was filled with time with your families and friends and good food! I definitely enjoyed the time off and hope you did too! But now, we’re back and we had yet another exciting weekend filled with thrilling games. Here’s a look at some of the highlights from Week 9: 

 

The Firehawks’ Flame: Jaylen’s Booming Brilliance 

Jaylen Birring of the Firehawks put on a show this weekend, dominating the game with his booming shot and impressive playmaking skills. Despite Jaylen’s standout performance, the Furious Scorpions refused to back down, making the match incredibly close right up until the final minute. A fantastic effort by both teams! 

 

Between the Pipes: A Goalie Brotherhood 

One of the heartwarming moments from the PeeWee division came during an intermission when Ian Davidson of the Eagles and Gavin Garner of the Grinches were spotted exchanging tips and talking shop. It’s great to see such sportsmanship and camaraderie between our young goaltenders. Keep it up, Ian and Gavin! 

 

Avengers Assemble: Rising Above Adversity 

The PeeWee division’s Avengers pulled off a remarkable victory, defeating the top-tier Banditz 2-0 despite a short bench. Keyaan Meralli delivered an exceptional performance, helping lead his team to victory. Special shoutout to head coach Noah Murray and assistant coach Aleem Meralli, whose leadership and encouragement motivated the team to rise above injuries and player shortages. Their resilience and dedication were truly inspiring—well done, Avengers! 

 

Fine-Tuning the Mites Machine 

A special thank you to Helen Kempler, our dedicated Mites Coordinator. Helen has been in constant communication with our Mites coaches, working tirelessly all season to ensure that the teams have an enjoyable experience. While she faced some challenges with team balancing, Helen has collaborated with coaches to propose solutions that benefit the entire division. This type of open communication and problem-solving is essential to keeping our divisions running smoothly. Thank you for your hard work and commitment, Helen! 

Looking Ahead 

Photo Day is coming up on January 12 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Be sure to check our website for your team’s scheduled time. 

Cheers!
 

Piradeepan Uthayakumar
President, Richmond Cosom Floor Hockey Association 

President’s Weekly Recap: Week 8

President’s Weekly Recap: RCFHA Regular Season Week 8 

Welcome back for the recap of Week 8 of the 2024/2025 season! Another fantastic weekend of games, goals, and community spirit at Burnett—and our last weekend before the Winter Break! Here’s a look at some of the highlights from Week 8: 

Junior Squirt Spotlight: A Wall in the Crease 

This week, Junior Squirt division goalie Kellan Labar caught everyone’s attention with his incredible saves and quick reflexes. Kellan showcased exceptional poise and talent, by commanding the crease with unwavering confidence. His standout performance was crucial in helping his team stay competitive in a hard-fought match, showing just how valuable he is between the pipes. 

Affiliate Hero: Rising to the Challenge 

A huge shoutout to Junior Squirt player Miles Pettersson, who was called up to play as an affiliate player goaltender for the Senior Squirt Screaming Chickens team in their match against the Mavericks. Despite the pressure, Miles rose to the occasion, making pivotal saves and showcasing resilience in net. It’s great to see some of our young talent stepping in and delivering big performances in older divisions—way to go, Miles! 

Celebrating a Milestone: A Goal to Remember 

One of the most heartwarming moments of the weekend came when Cayden Lekhi scored his very first goal! The entire gym and team erupted with cheers as teammates and fans celebrated this unforgettable achievement. Congratulations, Cayden—hopefully this is just the beginning of many more to come! 

Behind the Scenes: Balancing the Books, Building the League 

Let’s take a moment to appreciate Vincent Li, who wears two hats as both Registrar and Treasurer for the RCFHA. Vincent has been instrumental in managing our league’s finances and ensuring that we stay on budget while making the most of our registration fees and sponsorship money. Thanks to his diligence, we’re able to provide the best possible experience for our players and families. Your hard work behind the scenes does not go unnoticed, Vincent—thank you for everything you do for the RCFHA community. 

Looking Ahead 

Happy New Year to you all! We look forward to Week 9 starting right away on January 4 and 5. Please remember to keep in mind that Photo Day is coming up on January 12 between 9 am to 11 am. Check our website for the schedule for your team.  

Cheers!
 

Piradeepan Uthayakumar
President, Richmond Cosom Floor Hockey Association 

President’s Weekly Recap: Week 7

President’s Weekly Recap: RCFHA Regular Season Week 7 

Welcome back for the recap of Week 7 of the 2024/2025 season! Another weekend filled with thrilling showcases of skill, sportsmanship, and community spirit – and we’re back at Burnett (hope you were able to check out the Burnett Fair)! Highlights from a noteworthy Week 7: 

Shining Bright in Junior Squirts: Evan Kanda in Action 

If you’ve watched the Junior Squirts division this season, you’ve likely noticed Evan Kanda. One of the most exciting players to watch, Evan brings a mix of speed and creativity. His knack for being in the right place at the right time, paired with his ability to make smart plays, keeps his opponents on their toes. Junior Squirt games are already exciting, but Evan’s presence on the floor elevates the energy even further. 

PeeWee All-Stars: Team Highlight Reel 

One of my favorite teams to watch this season has been Highlight Reel in the PeeWee division. While the team boasts standout players like Connor Wong, Jack Simmons, and Jack Moser, two players who often fly under the radar are Cameron Gee and Jian Le Kok. These shifty, skilled players are crucial to their team’s success, providing depth and creativity on the floor. Big plays at key moments just highlight their value, and why I want to shout them out! 

Thrilling OT and Postgame Pizza: Mavericks vs. Scorpions 

This week, the Mavericks and Scorpions faced off in one of the most spirited games of the season. The game went into overtime, with both teams battling shorthanded as their defensemen were serving penalties. After the game, both teams celebrated together with a pizza party, reminding us all of the incredible camaraderie and sportsmanship that define the RCFHA community. My shoutout goes to the coaches, Christin Gannon, Tom Yang, Brad Bolger, Danny Atkar, Nav Kanda, and Rick Bowal for instilling good sportsmanship in our players! 

Building Excitement: The RCFHA Events Operations Committee 

A big shoutout to the Event Operations Committee, led by the talented Director of Event Management, Leah Sprintzios. This dedicated group has been hard at work planning events that bring our community together. You’ll be hearing more from Leah as we head into the new year, with one major highlight being our first-ever Pub Night! Mark your calendars for January 31st, and keep an eye out for tickets, which will go on sale in January. This promises to be a fantastic opportunity to connect and get to know the RCFHA family. Photo Day is also around the corner – January 18th. A schedule will be released to you all during Winter Break. 

Looking Ahead 

Next weekend marks the final week of games before Winter Break. Pay close attention to practice schedule cancellations and don’t forget to bring your food bank donations. 

Cheers!
 

Piradeepan Uthayakumar
President, Richmond Cosom Floor Hockey Association

President’s Weekly Recap: Week 6

President’s Weekly Recap: RCFHA Regular Season Week 6 

Welcome back for the recap of Week 6 of the 2024/2025 season! Another weekend, another set of incredible games – this time at Grauer Elementary and McRoberts Secondary Schools! Highlights from a memorable Week 6: 

Quick Calls, Fast Setups: The Referee Squad Shines 

A huge thank you to a few of our referees Cora Mah, Griffin Hunter, and Ziv Greenberg, who helped us set up McRoberts in record time, allowing us to stay on schedule despite the challenges. Your dedication is a big part of the reason why we love having you as referees! 

When Leadership Meets Skill: A Star Emerges 

This week, we shine a light on Brayden Marcinowsky, whose leadership and playmaking abilities led his team to victory, even with a short bench. Brayden’s calm composure and ability to read the play ensured his teammates were always in the right place at the right time. His passes in the first period were a masterclass in setting up plays, leading to key goals that gave his team the momentum they needed. Leadership like Brayden’s shows that even in challenging circumstances, teamwork can achieve amazing results. 

OT Magic and Unbreakable Grit: A Game to Remember 

At Grauer, the Mavericks and Titans delivered an unforgettable game with fans on the edge of their seats. With goals flying in from Kosta Sprintzios, Isaac Yang, and Tristan Kong, it was a high-energy affair from start to finish. Both teams played with grit and determination, and goaltenders Lillian Halperin and Levi Chung made save after save to keep the game tight. When Lillian was injured in OT, Nate Simmons stepped in cold, showing poise under immense pressure. His incredible saves held off a flurry of shots and helped secure a hard-fought 7-7 tie. 

From Chaos to Coordination: A Gym Coordinator’s Touch 

A special acknowledgment to our Gym Coordinator, Eliza Ko, for her tireless efforts in securing McRoberts Secondary School for a portion of the day to accommodate our PeeWee and Bantam games. Her behind-the-scenes work made it possible for us to adapt to changing schedules and ensure that all teams had the space they needed to play. Eliza’s dedication doesn’t just stop at logistics; her willingness to step in and assist wherever needed shows her incredible commitment to the RCFHA community. We are grateful for her contributions, which are crucial to RCFHA. 

Looking Ahead 

We’re excited to return to Burnett for Week 7. Remember to bring food bank donations as we support the Richmond Food Bank Society. Let’s make a positive impact during the holiday season. 

Cheers! 

Piradeepan Uthayakumar
President, Richmond Cosom Floor Hockey Association 

Important schedule changes for Week 6 (2024-11-30)

Hello PeeWee and Bantam Parents/Players,

All PeeWee and Bantam games will be played at McRoberts Secondary School (8980 Williams Road) on Sunday, December 1Game times have been slightly adjusted. Please see the attached schedules for updated game times and location either attached in the link below. If there is a change, it is noted in dark green. The website and SportNinja are in the process of being updated now.

If you are the 1st game on Sunday, please plan to arrive early – we will need help setting up as fast as possible. We are also on a very compressed schedule, so please be prepared for that.

Thanks for being flexible and understanding with a last minute change (but definitely beats playing at Grauer!). If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Hi Adult Division players,

All Adult games have been moved up by 15 minutes on Sunday, December 1. We are required to be out of Grauer by 8 pm, which is the reason for moving up game times. Please see the attached schedules for updated game times. If there is a change, it is noted in dark green. Location remains at Grauer Elementary School.

The website and SportNinja are in the process of being updated currently.

Thanks for being flexible and understanding. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.

Piradeepan Uthayakumar
President
Richmond Cosom Floor Hockey Association
president@rcfha.org

President’s Weekly Recap: Week 5

President’s Weekly Recap: RCFHA Regular Season Week 5 

Welcome back for the recap of Week 5 of the 2024/2025 season! It was great to be back at Burnett this weekend. Thank you all for your continued enthusiasm and support as we keep the momentum going! Here are some highlights from an action-packed Week 5: 

Blowing the Whistle on Sleep: A Referee’s Dedication 

A special shoutout to one of our newly hired referees, Noah Murray. After attending a graduation event with his friends, Noah stepped up and refereed seven hours of games—on just three hours of sleep! Even on that amount of sleep, he was still able to keep his spirits and booming voice up to our standards! His commitment to ensuring smooth games for everyone is commendable. Thank you, Noah, for your hard work and dedication to the RCFHA community!  

The Poultry Playoff: Chickens Take the Spotlight 

In one of the most entertaining games this season, the Screaming Chickens faced off against the Chicken Tenders. The Chicken Tenders clinched the win thanks to the incredible teamwork of Gabriel Lee, Matthew Yuen, and Joshua Mah, whose relentless efforts made the difference. On the other side, Oliver Wan and Tyler Lavergne gave it their all, keeping the Screaming Chickens in the fight. And who can forget the spirited fan cheering, complete with a real screaming chicken in the crowd? 

The Bantam Spotlight: Dancing Queens and Daring Coaches 

This week featured some nail-biting Bantam games, including an overtime thriller where the Dancing Queens edged out the Crashouts 6-5. Brendan Zhan showcased his amazing stickhandling and playmaking abilities, while Mattias Rempel kept the Crashouts alive with stellar goaltending. A bold move by Crashouts Head Coach Barrett Gross—pulling the goalie in OT—added to the excitement, even if it didn’t pan out. Kudos to all players for their competitive spirit! 

Guiding the Guides: Building Stronger Teams 

Our Director of Coaching, Mehmood Ghani, has started visiting practices to support our coaches with drills and advice. His willingness to share his expertise and sacrifice of his time is making a big difference for both players and coaches alike. Please thank Mehmood when you see him around, for helping fostering growth and development across the league! 

Looking Ahead 

Next weekend, games will be held at Grauer Elementary and McRoberts Secondary School. Dress warmly as the temperatures drop, and let’s keep up the energy and excitement! 

Cheers! 

Piradeepan Uthayakumar
President, Richmond Cosom Floor Hockey Association 

President’s Weekly Recap: Week 4

President’s Weekly Recap: RCFHA Regular Season Week 4 

Welcome back for the Recap of Week 4 of the 2024/2025 season! First, a big thank you to everyone for your patience on a very rainy Saturday when our games were held at Ferris Elementary School. It was tough not having our usual lively spectator crowds, but we made it work, and the rain did not bring our spirits down one bit! On to some highlights from Week 4: 

From Goals to Giving: RCFHA Food Drive Kicks Off 

As we approach the holiday season, the RCFHA Event Operations Committee has begun planning and we are excited to announce we will be hosting a Holiday Food Drive! Donation boxes will be set up at Burnett every weekend from now until Winter Break. Let’s work together to support those in need in our community. Your donations will be provided to the Richmond Food Bank Society. Bring your non-perishable food items and help make a difference this winter!  

High-Octane Action: Junior Squirt Goal Bonanza 

Week 4 brought some truly jaw-dropping scores in the Junior Squirt Division, with 67 goals scored across three games! Highlights include an 8-8 tie after OT, a 15-14 showdown, and a thrilling 12-10 battle. These games kept everyone on the edge of their seats (at least those who were able to sneak a peek…), and we want to give a special shoutout to the goalkeepers who stood tall during these wild matches, specifically during the OT game: Takumi Reznik, Miles Pettersson, and Fitz Velasquez. Your efforts in the net kept your team in the game, so well done! 

Guiding and Grinding: A Spotlight on Passionate Play 

A massive shoutout goes to Mark Bevan for his unmatched enthusiasm. Known for his booming encouragement that left us all a little deaf at Ferris, Mark continues to inspire his Junior Squirt players with his positivity and passion. As a Bantam player, even in the face of defeat, Mark’s dedication and team spirit shine through. Thank you for embodying the heart of the RCFHA! 

From the Floor to Your Feed: Social Media in Action 

Behind every great organization is a great storyteller, and this week, we are recognizing Rubyia Ghumman, Director of Social Media. Rubyia has been working to showcase the best of RCFHA on our platforms, keeping the community connected with highlights, updates, and exciting moments from our games. Be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages to see her amazing work in action! 

Looking Ahead 

This weekend, we’re thrilled to return to Burnett for our games. Let’s bring back the energy and crowd spirit that make our games so memorable. Don’t forget to bring your food drive donations! 

Cheers! 

Piradeepan Uthayakumar
President, Richmond Cosom Floor Hockey Association 

RCFHA: Para Cosom Drop-In Sessions

Hi everyone,

Richmond Cosom Floor Hockey Association is proud to announce that we are putting together a drop in for kids with disabilities. We want to create a safe space where those whose normally cannot play floor hockey can further develop skills such as fine motor and social skills. We want to teach how to pass, shoot and stick handle – some of the essential skills taught to our current hockey players.

Rubyia Ghumman, our Director of Social Media, has taken on the task of organizing this offering. This is a volunteer run program and the drop-ins will be offered completely for free, but they do require registration ahead of time.

The link for registration can be found here: Richmond Para Cosom Floor Hockey. The first session will be in November on Saturdays at Burnett Secondary School. All equipment will be provided.

If you have any further questions, or would like more information please email Rubyia Ghumman directly at paracosom@rcfha.org.

Please help us spread the word if you know of anyone interested in this program.

Cheers,

Piradeepan Uthayakumar
President
Richmond Cosom Floor Hockey Association

President’s Weekly Recap: Week 3

Welcome back for the Recap of Week 3 of the 2024/2025 season! According to everyone’s favourite referee, Zamaan Meralli, we witnessed an early candidate for game of the year in Senior Squirt when the Phantoms played the Chicken Tenders. The crowd cheering added to the whole atmosphere of the game, so let’s see more of that! On to some highlights from Week 3:

Active Recreation and Sport Fund

We are excited to highlight the Richmond Sports Council and City of Richmond’s Active Recreation and Sport Fund, which is available to families when financial barriers impact inclusion. This fund covers registration costs, and we’re thrilled to announce 4 families have already received full funding for the season! Visit this link to see if you qualify and to apply. It is a simple process and guaranteed money if you qualify. Feel free to contact me if you need any assistance with applying.

Capturing the Action: MacNeill Secondary’s Volunteer Photographers

As you may know, we are not just a hockey organization. We are looking to be pillars of our community. Part of those efforts are providing opportunities for youth volunteers. We are proud to partner with the Photography Class at MacNeill Secondary School for young photographers to capture some fantastic moments. Armaan Sahota and Gerardo Castro joined us this past week. We hope to see that work showcased our Social Media platforms shortly!

Playmaker Spotlight: The Skill Behind the Assist

Although goal scoring is a part of hockey, we like to highlight other aspects. One of which is our playmaking ability and our ability to distribute the puck to our teammates. We want to shine a spotlight on some key players who really stood out during Week 3. Evelyn Chung, Zachary Lee, and Anamta Ali were the driving forces on the floor, showcasing outstanding puck handling skills and playmaking ability. It was impressive to see these players working hard and setting up their teammates for success. We look forward to seeing more great play from them!

The Webmaster’s Revamp: A Digital Makeover

Behind the scenes, our Webmaster, Alan Chu, has been hard at work giving our website a much-needed overhaul. While the improvements are already making it easier to navigate, the work is still ongoing, with updates happening weekly. We are excited to see the final product, but in the meantime, we want to acknowledge the effort. Stay tuned for more enhancements!

Looking Ahead

As we look ahead, please note that we have a long weekend coming up, which means a week off from play. Enjoy the break, and we’ll see you back on the floor soon!

Cheers!

Piradeepan Uthayakumar 
President, Richmond Cosom Floor Hockey Association