A six-week program, designed to expose kids to the game of hockey, is already an early success story before it even starts.
In partnership with the Sunshine Coast Regional District parks and rec department, Trail Bay Source for Sports and the Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey Association, 20 kids will be getting a chance to learn to play the game of hockey.
OneGoal is a nonprofit organization comprised of a coalition the National Hockey League (NHL), the NHL Players Association (NHLPA), the NHL Alumni Association, USA Hockey, Hockey Canada, rinks, Easton-Bell, Reebok-CCM, Bauer, retailers, and many others across North America who are involved with hockey.
The "one goal" of this group is to build greater awareness and understanding of hockey so parents can make informed decisions about involving their families in the sport. For many people who didn't grow up with the game, OneGoal makes it easier and less intimidating to join in on everything that hockey has to offer.
This is where Trail Bay Source for Sports owner Teresa Fournier comes in. Her store in Sechelt is one of the first Source for Sports stores in Canada to jump on board providing all the gear for the program. Source for Sports decided to become a partner in the program following their hockey trade show in January.
"It helps removes the barriers," said Fournier, who herself is a parent of a novice-level player in the local association. "Many parents can't afford to have their kids play hockey because of the cost factor. That's where this program comes in. The kids get the gear, go through the program and learn about the game. Hopefully they'll continue to play. Our goal is to bring all these kids along right into the minor hockey association."
Included in the registration fee is a first timer rental equipment kit including all the necessary gear. Sticks, skates and the ice time comes courtesy of SCRD parks and rec. Registration is limited to 20 participants and the first session is already filled.
"It's just a win-win situation," said SCRD program co-ordinator Tom Poulton. "When Teresa came to us with the idea, we jumped right on board. As of last Friday we had five kids already on a waiting list for the next session. If we get enough we may end up running the program twice a day during the first six weeks of the program."
Poulton said there will also be another full session starting in the spring.
The program fee is $50 and runs from Sept. 26 to Oct. 31 every Saturday from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. at the Sunshine Coast Arena in Sechelt. For more information or to register, call 604-885-6801, or in person at the Gibsons and Area Community Centre, the Sechelt Aquatic Centre or online at www.scrd.ca.
More information about OneGoal can be found at www.onegoal.com.
