In
cooperation with Hockey Canada and Bauer, a series of pilot programs designed
to facilitate a fun and easy introduction to the game of hockey for kids ages
4-8 and their families have now been launched in Scarborough, Hamilton, Halifax
and East Hants.
The Hamilton program hosted a welcome session this past Saturday where families were provided with new equipment courtesy of Bauer. For the next 6 weeks, the participants will have the opportunity to test out their new equipment on the ice while learning the fundamentals of the game.
The pilot programs have been designed to be fun, affordable and convenient. The pilot programs will focus on the following aspects in an attempt to begin breaking down the perceived barriers to entry.
- A Fun Experience: Bauer, Hockey Canada and local governing bodies will host fun enrollment days for parents and kids, and provide informational materials on safety in the game, including the importance of equipment fit and educating parents on gear, the game and more
- Convenience: These six-week sessions will meet for one hour once a week, which keeps the commitment to a minimum and allows for participation in other activities
- Improved Communication: Locally marketed to reach non-hockey families and to communicate fun, safety, convenience and affordability
- Affordability: Enrollment and equipment will be bundled together at $100
After these programs are launched, tested and re-evaluated, they will be expanded into other regions to help grow the game.
Hall of Famer Mark Messier will assist Bauer Hockey and Hockey Canada in their efforts to attract additional players to the sport. Messier, who joined forces with Bauer Hockey last year following the company’s acquisition of Cascade Sports, has been deeply committed to growing the game and has been a vocal advocate for increasing participation and safety.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to continue working with Bauer Hockey and Hockey Canada to help take down these barriers and bring more people to our game that’s fun and teaches valuable life lessons,” Messier said. “Along with the change in family lifestyles, the game of hockey has also changed. Kids need the opportunity to experience a variety of sports growing up, and it is our responsibility to offer our game in a way that is affordable, requires a reasonable commitment level, and most important, demonstrates how much fun hockey is for kids and families.”
Many thanks to Bauer, Hockey Canada, the Hamilton Minor Hockey Council and the City of Hamilton for making dreams a reality for the kids in this program!
