The Portage Minor Hockey Association held its annual general meeting a few days ago. It is typically held earlier in the year but the organization pushed it back due to concerns surrounding COVID-19 and also held it virtually.

The AGM mainly consisted of members giving their reports from last year and the election of a new board. Travis Foster was elected to become president going forward and talks about taking on that role.

"I've been on the board for a few years now and it was kind of the next step to take over as president and continue going to where the PMHA was headed," says Foster. "Our numbers seem to be getting stronger every year, which is nice to see because there was definitely a lull in the last, I would say, ten years or so."

Foster believes the spike in numbers has to do with the hockey facilities that are in town, such as Stride Place and the BDO Centre.

He talks about one of the PMHA's main focuses going forward.

"We've gone a couple of years now without, what used to be called a midget program, which is now called U-17," says Foster. "That being just a house team to play in that age. Kids that have played hockey all of the lives but don't want to go on to play with the Central Plains Capitals or any teams like that, we just want a spot for them to play and still enjoy the game."

Foster adds, under regular circumstances, registration would have begun earlier this month but he says they will be waiting to hear more from the province regarding how they will have to operate and guidelines that will have to be followed before setting a date for that.

Foster says he is excited to continue helping the PMHA grow and progress.