The Lethbridge Sport Council (LSC) has a new initiative to get the community playing different sports through and event called “52 for 52.”

It will feature new sports for people to try every week.

Canada’s national sports, hockey, lacrosse and sledge hockey, kicked off the first few weeks with boxing finishing off the first month.

The LSC say the community is getting behind the idea and seem to open to trying out sports that they haven’t participated in before.

“The community reaction has been great, people have been signing up and we’re really just getting the ball rolling. We’ve had three events so far and all three have been popular,” said Tanya Whipple, the Program and Communication Coordinator.

The yearlong celebration is in relation with Canada’s 150^th birthday and the LSC is working with local sports organizations to set up the weekly events.

The planning on what sport covers each week is dependent on the schedules of the groups with the ice time, gym space or whatever is needed.

Hockey was the logical first choice but sledge hockey followed and Whipple says people really got a chance to experience a different look at a classic sport.

“They got a little bit of instruction in how to propel themselves and how to shoot the puck but mainly they just got to go out and try it. When they came off the ice the reactions were awesome!” she said.

The Lethbridge Sledge Hockey Club opened up one of their practices to the public for the 52 for 52 event, which they do for their first ice time, but this time it was for a different occasion.

Not all people realize that sledge hockey can be played by everyone and the event allowed for people to be able to try it for themselves.

The club was surprised by the amount of people who turned out for the open house.

“We were expecting maybe 12 people and we opened the doors to over 25. It was at first daunting because of that many people,” said Jason Allonby, Club President.

With hockey, sledge hockey and lacrosse all crossed off the list, boxing is next on the docket for the LSC.

With help for the Lethbridge Boxing Club, an open session on Jan. 31.

For more info on the 52 for 52 celebration and upcoming sports featured, visit www.lethbridge2017.ca.