Wawota's annual sledge hockey tournament has gained popularity over the past five years with 16 teams entered in this years edition.

Starting on Friday night at the Community Forum in Wawota, 16 sledge hockey teams will be in attendance to take part in Wawota's Annual Sledge Hockey Tournament.

Now in it's fifth year of existence, organizer Melanie Brimner said the tournaments growth has been outstanding since it's inception.

"We're celebrating five years, this is going to be our biggest yet," Brimner said. "When we first started, it was only about four people per team with eight or ten teams, the second year it jumped to 18 teams with four or five people. Now we're up to 16 teams with seven or eight people on each team. We have people coming as far as Winnipeg to play this weekend."

For Brimner, the idea of the tournament came about after her teenage son was injured in a car accident 11 years ago.

"It left him paralyzed when he was 16, I wanted him to be able to play hockey with his buddies in his hometown and with his family, so that's originally why we started it. We have a few other people in town that never got to be involved in sports because of disability, one that comes out from Carlyle, and Riley Raynard who will be coming back for his second year."

Each year, funds raised from the tournament go to a few worthy causes, while this year, STARS Air Ambulance and the Forum in Wawota will be on the receiving end.

Those interested in finding out more about this years tournament can call Melanie at 306-577-7484.