Black Diamond is home to Raiders forward, Tamala Whiteside. Tamala’s first introduction to ice sports was with figure skating at the age of 5. At the age of 8, Tamala thought figure skating was becoming boring. She was interested in playing hockey after seeing her dad and younger brother play and joined the High Country Novice hockey team.
Tamala continued to play boys hockey until her first year bantam where she travelled to Okotoks to play with the girls’ team. Tamala played with the Okotoks’ team for two years. This season marks her second year with the Highwood Raiders. Tamala’s favorite hockey memory was when she met and skated with Cassie Campbell as well as meeting and skating with the Calgary Flames.
Tamala has sacrificed many passions to dedicate herself to hockey. She used to race dirt bikes across southern Alberta. She loved it because the whole family raced competitively. Last season she sold her bike so that she could commit more time to hockey.
Tamala previously played on volleyball, basketball and badminton school teams, however, this last year she decided it was time to commit all of her time and focus directly on hockey. Tamala does plan on playing rugby after the hockey season is over. Tamala hopes to pursue a career in nursing once she graduates in 2014. She comments “If I can play hockey as well as focus on my studies, then that would be a bonus.”
The Raiders results at the Macs tournament include one win, one tie and two losses. The Raiders will meet the Calgary Bruins at Stu Peppard Arena, Jan. 12 @5:30.
