The Kelowna WildCats Special Hockey program exists to give children and youth with autism and other developmental disabilities the opportunity to play hockey, and develop fitness, coordination, and social skills within a team environment.

As an equal opportunity team, it is open to boys and girls ages 5 to 15 with disabilities, and their siblings. It runs from September through to late spring and is based at Royal Lepage Place in West Kelowna.

The program has room for 30 players. When it started in 2006 it was the only team of its kind in British Columbia. There are now several teams in central BC, the lower mainland and the island providing team members opportunities to travel to other communities to play. A wrap-up provincial tournament is held in April each year.

The WildCats operate in partnership with the City of West Kelowna. West Kelowna collects annual participant fees, advertises in the Community Recreation Guide, and provides liability insurance and all costs associated with ice and facility rental for the program. Some equipment is provided or available for loan.

For more information, please email: info@autismokanagan.ca